Exam 9: Political Parties

Which of the following best describes the key issue that led to serious disagreements between the president and Congress and resulted in damage to America's credit rating because of worries about the dysfunctional qualities of the governing process?

What caused a large increase in the amount of Democratic-Republican cooperation in late 2001 and early 2002?

In what year was the United States on the edge of default due to the election of a large number of conservative party members who had promised to slash federal spending, regardless of consequences, resulting in bitter acrimony between the president and congressional leaders?

Which president forged the New Deal coalition?

What important power do national party committees wield?

In __________ political systems, coalition governments are common.

A __________ results after fissures develop in each party's coalition, which begins to fracture after new issues appear, dividing the electorate. Each party forms a new coalition-one that endures for years.

Why does the United States have a two-party system?

Which of these is most likely to lead to gridlock?

What are the key functions of political parties that differentiate them from other political organizations?

What role do minor parties play in American politics? Provide examples. What limitations have kept them from achieving major-party status? Given the growing partisan division between Democrats and Republicans, do you think the role of minor parties could expand in the future?

In the political system used in most Western democracies, governing power is often shared among two or more parties in a coalition government.

Lately, the ideological rift between the two major parties has narrowed, as the parties have begun to target the moderate vote.

Describe the various kinds of minor parties and what their focus has been. Provide examples.

Though controversy remains over whether party __________ occurs every thirty to forty years, there are identifiable party eras over the course of American history.

A self-identified independent who voted for Barack Obama in the last two elections and who consistently votes for Democratic candidates in local and state elections can safely be described as a __________.

Describe the role of the national party committee, differentiating it from the other main political party organizations. Who comprises it? Where does its main power reside?

The best way of assessing voting behavior over time continues to be by determining __________, rather than concern for one person or policy.

Which of the following combine both social and economic dimensions and hold that the federal government should play a very small role in economic regulation and social justice?

The year 1968 in the United States brought the beginning of a new political era and __________.