1. Political Parties Unit 2

2. Ideology A set of beliefs that allow a person to view issues in a consistent manner;

3. Liberal Believes that government should peacefully promote social reform; likes change

4. Conservative Cautious about new policies and that the gov’t should stay out of the affairs of private citizens and businesses; likes the status quo (No Change)

5. Moderate A person whose beliefs are somewhere between a liberal and a conservative. COMPROMISE

6. Radical Wants rapid change and is willing to use physical force to get it.

7. Reactionary Wants a return to a previous government or way of life; willing to use physical force

8. Political Party An organized group who share common beliefs who work to win elections, control government, and set public policy.

9. Democrat A person who believes in the political or social equality of all people.

10. Republican A person who is more conservative in their ideological views.

11. Bipartisan Supported by two parties.

12. Platform Where the party stands on key issues Planks

13. Positions on individual issues that make up the platform

14. Coalition An alliance of political groups formed to oppose a common enemy or pursue a common goal.

15. Electoral College An assembly elected by the voters to perform the formal duty of electing the President and VP of the U.S.A.

16. Popular Vote The vote for a U.S. presidential candidate made by the qualified voters.

17. Primary Party elections to decide party’s candidate for the general election

18. Caucus Voters gather at a location and group together based on candidate support (Iowa) to decide who should run for the general election.

19. Voter Realignment Switching of voter preference from one party to another

20. Solid South 1870s to 1962 - white Southerners voted Democratic. After the Civil Rights Movement white Southerners voted Republican.