Chapter 8 – Political Parties

Front 1

Dealignment

Back 1

A decline in party loyalties that reduces long term party commitment.

Front 2

Democratic Party

Back 2

One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson.

Front 3

Divided government

Back 3

A situation in which one major political part controls the presidency and the other controls the chambers of Congress, or in which one party controls a state governorship and the other controls the state legislature.

Front 4

Electoral College

Back 4

A group of person, called electors, who are selected by the voters in each state. This group officially elects the president and the vice president of the United States.

Front 5

Era of good feelings

Back 5

The years from 1817 to 1825, when James Monroe was president and there was, in effect, no political opposition.

Front 6

Faction

Back 6

A group or bloc in a legislature or political party that is trying obtain power or benefits.

Front 7

Independent

Back 7

A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party.

Front 8

National committee

Back 8

A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions.

Front 9

National convention

Back 9

The meeting held every four years by each major party to select, presidential and vice-presidential candidates, write a platform, choose a national committee and conduct party business.

Front 10

Party identification

Back 10

Linking oneself to a particular political party.

Front 11

Party-in-government

Back 11

All of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party.

Front 12

Party-in-the-electorate

Back 12

Those members of the general public who identify with a political party or who express a preference for one party over another.

Front 13

Party organization

Back 13

The formal structure and leadership of a political party including election committees; local, state and national executives; and paid professional staff.

Front 14

Party platform

Back 14

A document drawn up at each national convention, outlining the policies, positions, and principles of the party.

Front 15

Patronage

Back 15

Rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts.

Front 16

Plurality

Back 16

A number of votes cast for a candidate that is greater than the number of votes for any other candidate but not necessarily a majority.

Front 17

Political party

Back 17

A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.

Front 18

Realignment

Back 18

A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape.

Front 19

Republican Party

Back 19

One of the two major American political parties. It emerged in the 1850’s as an antislavery party and consisted of former northern Whigs and antislavery Democrats.

Front 20

Reverse-income effect

Back 20

A tendency for wealthier states or regions to favor the Democrats and for less wealthy states or regions to favor the Republicans. The effect appears paradoxical because it reverses traditional patterns of support.

Front 21

Splinter party

Back 21

A new party formed by a dissident faction within a major political party. Often, splinter parties have emerged when a particular personality was at odds with the major party.

Front 22

Split-ticket voting

Back 22

Voting for candidates of two or more parties for different offices, such as voting for a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic congressional candidate.

Front 23

State central committee

Back 23

The principal organized structure of each political party within each state. This committee is responsible for carrying out policy decisions of the party’s state convention.

Front 24

Straight-ticket voting

Back 24

Voting exclusively for the candidates of one party.

Front 25

Swing voters

Back 25

Voters who frequently swing their support from one party to another.

Front 26

Third party

Back 26

A political party other than the two major political parties (Republican and Democrat).

Front 27

Tipping

Back 27

A phenomenon that occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time grows large enough to change the political balance in a district, state or country.

Front 28

Two-party system

Back 28

A political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning.

Front 29

Whig Party

Back 29

A major party in the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century, formally established in 1836. The Whig Party was anti-Jackson and represented a variety of regional interests.