Question 1

Which democratic function of political parties was nonexistent until the early twentieth century and has given voters greater input into politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  party nominations
B)  policy coordination
C)  critical elections
D)  primary elections D

Question 2

Which political era saw the longest period of Republican domination? Explain the origin and demise of party domination during this period.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1.Describe the realignment period that began in 1860 with the Republican Party bringing together antislavery coalitions resulting in the Civil War and lasting through two coalitions.
2.Answer may or may not include an explanation of the second Republican coalition that began in 1896 as a converting realignment that reinforced the Republican majority status.The most important objective of this question is to demonstrate awareness that the Republican Party survived a long period of opposition challenge and party realignment over many decades lasting from the Civil War period to FDR.

Question 3

Elections in America tend to be more party-centered than elections in Europe.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

The method of nominating political candidates for several decades after the United States was established was the __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The method of nominating political candidates for...

Question 5

How is the national party convention important for democracy in the United States? How has the convention changed over time?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is the national party convention important...

Question 6

The form of change in which a dominant party declines and is replaced by another dominant party is called dealignment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

While the United States has had several minor parties,only the two major parties have much of a chance to win elections.What features of the U.S.political system contribute to the dominance of two parties?

Accepted Answer

A)  multimember districts and a proportional voting system
B)  single-member districts and a nonpartisan blanket primary system
C)  multimember districts and a winner-take-all voting system
D)  single-member districts and a winner-take-all voting system

Question 8

The __________ includes the voters who identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans,and who register and affiliate with their parties.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The __________ includes the voters who identify...

Question 9

Progressive movement reforms gave voters leverage over a party's power to control nominations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Minor parties have never won the presidency.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

How are critical elections and party realignments interrelated?

Accepted Answer

A)  A party realignment occurs before a critical election.
B)  A party realignment occurs after a critical election when new voters outnumber old voters.
C)  A party realignment occurs before a critical election during periods of national crisis.
D)  A party realignment occurs after a critical election.

Question 12

Money that can be raised in unlimited amounts for party-building purposes is called __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  soft money
B)  hard money
C)  party-independent expenditures
D)  coordinated expenditures

Question 13

Advocates of the responsible party system believe parties should craft an articulate platform and __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  be consistently held accountable to it
B)  be flexible to the will of the electorate
C)  do what is in the best interest of the entire nation
D)  act in a way that adheres to the Constitution

Question 14

What is a consequence of direct primaries?

Accepted Answer

A)  Direct primaries increase the influence of political party leaders.
B)  Direct primaries increase cohesion within parties.
C)  Direct primaries increase the autonomy of elected politicians.
D)  Direct primaries increase the electability of party-line candidates.

Question 15

In between party conventions,the body in charge of the national party is the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  national committee
B)  campaign committee
C)  national caucus
D)  party in government

Question 16

When was the first realigning election in American party history?

Accepted Answer

A)  1800
B)  1824
C)  1860
D)  1896

Question 17

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.

Accepted Answer

A)  dealignment
B)  national party convention
C)  realigning or critical election
D)  secular realignment

Question 18

In the 2000 presidential election,the Green Party candidate might have taken away votes from the Democratic candidate,__________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 2000 presidential election,the Green Party...

Question 19

Under the responsible party system,party members are expected to adhere to the party platform.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define political realignment and describe it using...

Exam 6: Political Parties

Which democratic function of political parties was nonexistent until the early twentieth century and has given voters greater input into politics?

Which political era saw the longest period of Republican domination? Explain the origin and demise of party domination during this period.

Elections in America tend to be more party-centered than elections in Europe.

The method of nominating political candidates for several decades after the United States was established was the __________.

How is the national party convention important for democracy in the United States? How has the convention changed over time?

The form of change in which a dominant party declines and is replaced by another dominant party is called dealignment.

While the United States has had several minor parties,only the two major parties have much of a chance to win elections.What features of the U.S.political system contribute to the dominance of two parties?

The __________ includes the voters who identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans,and who register and affiliate with their parties.

Progressive movement reforms gave voters leverage over a party's power to control nominations.

Minor parties have never won the presidency.

How are critical elections and party realignments interrelated?

Money that can be raised in unlimited amounts for party-building purposes is called __________.

Advocates of the responsible party system believe parties should craft an articulate platform and __________.

What is a consequence of direct primaries?

In between party conventions,the body in charge of the national party is the __________.

When was the first realigning election in American party history?

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.

In the 2000 presidential election,the Green Party candidate might have taken away votes from the Democratic candidate,__________.

Under the responsible party system,party members are expected to adhere to the party platform.

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