Government Chapter Five-- Sections 1-5

Ideological Consensus:

Because Americans agree on fundamental issues, the conditions that could produce several strong rivaling parties does not exist.

Era of Republicans, 1860-1932

Civil War, Reconstruction, Great Depression

Return of the Democrats, 1932-1968

Great Depression, New Deal, World War II, Kennedy assassination

Governing

Helps legislativ and executive branches work together. Most appointments to executive branch are made on basis of partisanship, or the allegiance to a political party.

What type of minor party has been the longest lived?

Ideological Parties

In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of votes who identify themselves as ______.

Independents.

Informing and Activating Supporters

Inform people and activate their interests in public affairs. Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Tradition:

Once established, the two party system continues because traditions and a reluctance to support minor parties.

Watchdog

Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to "throw of the rascals out".

Jeffersonian Republicans

Period of Dominance: 1800-1820's Supporters: the Common people Leaders: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

Jacksonian Democrats

Period of Dominance: 1820's-1830's Supporters: small farmers, debtors, slave-owners, pioneers Leaders: Andrew Jackson

Republicans

Period of Dominance: 1860-1932 Supporters: business, financial, labor, farmers, African-Americans Leaders; Abraham Lincoln, William Taft, Teddy Roosevelt, Fremont, and William McKinley

New Deal Democrats

Period of Dominance: 1932-1968 Supporters: South, small farmers, organized labor, minorities, big cities, popular organizations Leaders: FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson

Whigs

Period of Dominance: Never Dominant (1830's-1850's) Supporters: bankers, merchants, industrialists, planters Leaders: Henry Clay, William Henry Harrison, Daniel Webster, and Zachery Taylor

Federalists

Period of Dominance: Strong before 1800 Supporters: rich, and well-born Leaders: Alexander Hamilton

Post-Civil War Democrats

Period of Dominance: never dominante outside of the South Supporters: the South Leaders: Woodrow Wilson

Nominating

Selecting candidates. The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups.

Electoral System:

Single-member districts discourage voters from wasting votes on minor party candidates. Election laws are designed to favor large parties/discourage minor ones.

Which type of minor party has been most successful in winning votes?

Splinter Parties

National Chairperson

Term: one year term Role: leader of the National Committee chosen after a convention by the candidate nominated, ratified by National Committee

Congressional Campaign

Term: two year term Role: both parties have one in congress job, is used to reelect incumbent, win back seats of representatives that are retiring

Historical Basis:

The Republic began with two parties-- the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.

That useful functions have minor parties performed in American history?

They draw attentions to problems ignored by major parties, and they have played "spoiler rules" in close elections.

What tends to happen to single-issue parties?

They fade away if they can't get enough votes or their issue doesn't matter. If they get votes, a bigger party adopts their policies.

Bonding agent

Tries to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

National Committee

When it take place: meets between conventions Role: handles the business of the party between conventions (only in presidential election years)

National Convention

When it takes place: summer of presidential election Role: nominates the candidates and presents platform

consensus

a general agreement on fundamental matters among various groups

faction

a group, usually a small part of a larger group, united around some cause; disagreement within an organization

pluralistic society

a society that consists of several distinct cultures and groups

multiparty

a system with several major parties and many smaller ones

ward

a unit into which cities are divided for elections

Era of the Democrats, 1800-1860

conflict over land, second bank of the United States, high tariffs, slavery

A group of angry Midwestern farmers and laborers forms the "Working People's" party, calling for higher tariffs, higher farm subsides, and congressional term limitations.

economic protest party

single-member district

election district in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballet

Two factors that contribute to the decentralization of parties are ______ and _______.

federalism, nominating parties

The "Social Justice" party calls for a complete overhaul of the American political, economic, and legal systems.

ideological party

plurality

largest number of votes cast fo office (contrasted to majority, more than half of all votes)

sectionalism

loyalty to a state or section rather than to the whole nation

minor party

one of the less widely supported parties in the U.S.

In the United States, the major _____ are the Democrats and the Republicans.

parties

Single-Issue Parties

parties focused on a single public issue. examples: America "Know Nothing" Party, Free Soil Party, Right-to-Life Party

Economic Protest Parties

parties that protest economy, hard times, blaming perceived enemies and proclaiming disgust with major parties. examples: Greenback Party, and Populist Party

Splinter Parties

parties that split away from a major party. examples: Progressive "Bull Moose" Party, and States' Rights "Dixi-crat" Party

Allegiance to a political party is known as ______.

partisanship

The party that controls the executive branch is known as the _______.

party in power.

All _____ can be defined as groups of persons who join together because they want to gain control of the government through winning elections.

policial parties

two-party system

political system with only two parties with a reasonable chance of winning

The "Equity" party calls for woks for an end to affirmative action programs.

single-issue party

A group of Democrats, dissatisfied with the party's moderate nominee, decides to form a new "People's Rights" party to back their more liberal leader.

splinter party

The party out of power operates at a disadvantage because it has no leader comparable to ______.

the President

electorate

the body of enfranchised citizens

incumbent

the official who holds office

precinct

the smallest unit of election administration; a voting district

Ideological Parties

those based on particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. examples: Communist Party, Socialist Party, and Libertarian Party

one-party system

under dictatorships, a system where only one party is allowed, also when there is only one party dominating regional politics.

split-ticket voting

voting for candidates of different parties for different offices during the same election based on who is considered most qualified for the position in one's opinion