Political Parties Review American Government Mr. Bordelon

Vocabulary Multiparty Minor party Split-ticket voting One-party system Consensus Splinter parties Two-party system Economic protest party ward Major parties Partisanship Bipartisan Plurality Coalition Incumbent Ideological party Single-issue party precinct

True/False A plurality is more than half the votes cast.

True/False A plurality is more than half the votes cast. False. A plurality is the largest number of votes cast.

True/False A ward is a unit into which cities are often divided for the election of city council members.

True/False A ward is a unit into which cities are often divided for the election of city council members. True.

True/False An ideological party arises over a particular issue or crisis and soon fades away.

True/False An ideological party arises over a particular issue or crisis and soon fades away. False; this would be typically an economic protest party.

True/False Partisanship means membership in one of the major parties.

True/False Partisanship means membership in one of the major parties. False; partisanship means firm allegiance to a party.

Main Idea What is the major function of a political party?

Main Idea What is the major function of a political party? To control government by winning elections and holding public office.

Main Idea What are the two major parties in the United States?

Main Idea What are the two major parties in the United States? Democrats and Republicans.

Main Idea In what two ways does the American electoral system tend to promote a two-party system?

Main Idea In 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 Idea How can the diversity of views represented in a multiparty system be seen as both a strength and a weakness?

Main Idea How 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 Idea Which political party was the first appear in the United States? Who was its leader and what type of government did it favor?

Main Idea Which political party was the first appear in the United States? Who was its leader and what type of government did it favor? Federalist Party Alexander Hamilton, favored a strong central government.

Main Idea What unusual feature characterizes the present era of American two-party history?

Main Idea What 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 Idea Briefly describe the four major types of minor parties.

Main Idea Briefly 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 Idea What are the most important roles of minor parties? Explain.

Main Idea What are the most important roles of minor parties? Critic and spoiler.

Main Idea Why is the party is in power more cohesive than the opposition party?

Main Idea Why 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.