Exam 9: Political Parties

People do not choose a party because they identify with its views and approve of its candidates for elected office; rather, party identification shapes people's views about issues and their selection of candidates for elected office.

The only minor party in the United States that ever managed to replace a major party is the __________ Party.

How are national and state party organizations interrelated?

What is the main effect the rise in advocacy groups in recent years has had on political parties and their candidates?

Give an overview of the key phases of political party development in the United States. How did the Framers envision electoral participation in government? How has this been realized? Be certain to demonstrate where realignments have occurred and the reasons why. Evaluate in detail what dealignment entails, and describe why it has occurred.

Electoral realignments occur exclusively as a result of a critical election.

What major concern about minor parties was highlighted by the 2000 presidential election between Gore and Bush?

To be a member of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party or to be an independent is, in reality, a matter of __________.

Describe the proportional representation system used in most other democratic nations and the single-district, winner-take-all system used in the United States. Why might the proportional representation system be more attractive from a voter's point of view?

Describe how the New Deal coalition realigned American politics.

Define political realignment and describe it using one particular period to illustrate your response.

The years 1860-1928 saw the ascendency of which party?

A __________ is an organization that tries to win control of government by electing people to office who carry its label.

How are most party candidates nominated today?

When did the "parties at war" era begin, and what changes have occurred in this era? Do you think the changes have reflected the attitudes and views of the American public?

Most Western democracies have a two-party political system.

Polls concerning party identification might lead a political scientist trying to understand voter behavior to believe that the increase in the percentage of people claiming to be independent is because of what?

Because the numbers of Americans who identify with the Democratic and Republican parties are closer than they have been for a long time, which of the following has become more important to candidates in recent elections?

Why don't political parties take stronger policy positions and make them into law?

State and local party organizations may nominate __________.