American GovernmentMr. Bordelon

Political PartiesReview

VocabularyMultipartyMinor partySplit-ticket votingOne-party systemConsensusSplinter partiesTwo-party systemEconomic protest

partyward

Major partiesPartisanshipBipartisanPluralityCoalitionIncumbentIdeological partySingle-issue partyprecinct

True/FalseA plurality is more than half the votes cast.

True/FalseA plurality is more than half the votes cast.

False. A plurality is the largest number of votes cast.

True/FalseA ward is a unit into which cities are often

divided for the election of city council members.

True/FalseA ward is a unit into which cities are often

divided for the election of city council members.

True.

True/FalseAn ideological party arises over a particular

issue or crisis and soon fades away.

True/FalseAn ideological party arises over a particular

issue or crisis and soon fades away.

False; this would be typically an economic protest party.

True/FalsePartisanship means membership in one of

the major parties.

True/FalsePartisanship means membership in one of

the major parties.

False; partisanship means firm allegiance to a party.

Main IdeaWhat is the major function of a political

party?

Main IdeaWhat is the major function of a political

party?

To control government by winning elections and holding public office.

Main IdeaWhat are the two major parties in the

United States?

Main IdeaWhat are the two major parties in the

United States?

Democrats and Republicans.

Main IdeaIn what two ways does the American

electoral system tend to promote a two-party system?

Main IdeaIn what two ways does the American

electoral system tend to promote a two-party system?

Single-member district systems discourage minor parties, and election laws have been deliberately written to discourage non-major candidates.

Main IdeaHow can the diversity of views represented

in a multiparty system be seen as both a strength and a weakness?

Main IdeaHow can the diversity of views represented

in a multiparty system be seen as both a strength and a weakness?

It is a strength because it gives voters more choices and more broadly represents the electorate, and a weakness because it leads to instability in government.

Main IdeaWhich political party was the first appear in

the United States? Who was its leader and what type of government did it favor?

Main IdeaWhich political party was the first appear in

the United States? Who was its leader and what type of government did it favor?

Federalist PartyAlexander Hamilton, favored a strong

central government.

Main IdeaWhat unusual feature characterizes the

present era of American two-party history?

Main IdeaWhat unusual feature characterizes the

present era of American two-party history?

Divided government, where one party controls the White House, and the other, Congress.

Main IdeaBriefly describe the four major types of

minor parties.

Main IdeaBriefly describe the four major types of

minor parties.

Ideological parties are based on a particular set of beliefs.

Single-issue parties concentrate on one public policy issue.

Economic protest parties express general discontent with the ruling party.

Splinter parties have split from one of the major parties.

Main IdeaWhat are the most important roles of minor

parties? Explain.

Main IdeaWhat are the most important roles of minor

parties?

Critic and spoiler.

Main IdeaWhy is the party is in power more cohesive

than the opposition party?

Main IdeaWhy is the party is in power more cohesive

than the opposition party?

It has a strong party leader (the President) with leadership tools that bring about cooperation and cohesion.