American Government Chapter 7 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a caucus?

A type of election

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates (correct)

A method of fundraising

A political party's platform

What is a direct primary?

A primary where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office.

What are economic protest parties?

Parties rooted in poor economic times, lacking a clear ideological base, dissatisfied with current conditions and demanding better times.

What are factional parties?

Parties formed by a split within one of the major parties. Signup and view all the answers

What marked the First Party System?

The competition between the Federalist Party and the Republican Party for control of the presidency starting in 1792. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Mugwumps?

A group of renegade Republicans who supported the 1884 Democratic presidential nominee Grover Cleveland instead of their party's nominee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the national chairman?

The day-to-day party manager elected by the national committee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the national party convention?

A national meeting of delegates who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates and adopt party rules. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Old Guard control?

The Republican National Committee. Signup and view all the answers

What are single issue parties?

Political parties that concentrate on a single public policy issue. Signup and view all the answers

What is the plurality system?

An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority. Signup and view all the answers

What is a political machine?

A well-organized political organization that controls election results by awarding jobs and favors in exchange for votes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a political party?

An organization to gain political power. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the second party system?

It emerged when Andrew Jackson first ran for the presidency in 1824. Signup and view all the answers

What are special interest caucuses?

Caucuses designed to represent minority groups such as African Americans or homosexuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the winner-takes-all system?

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to candidates who come in first in their constituencies. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Structures and Processes

Caucus: Local party assemblies where members select officials or candidates and define the party platform.
Direct Primary: A primary election where voters choose candidates directly for the upcoming election.
Plurality System: An electoral method where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority; prevalent in American elections.

Types of Political Parties

Economic Protest Parties: Emergence tied to economic hardship, advocating for change without a strict ideological foundation.
Factional Parties: Result from splits within major parties, differing in ideology or strategy.
Single Issue Parties: Focus solely on one specific public policy issue rather than a broader agenda.

Historical Context

First Party System: Initiated in 1792, featuring the rivalry between Federalists and Republicans, born from fears of Federalist dominance.
Second Party System: Formed around Andrew Jackson's candidacy in 1824, marking a shift towards mass political engagement.
Mugwumps: A faction of Republicans who defected to support Democrat Grover Cleveland in the 1884 presidential election.

Political Organization and Leadership

National Chairman: Elected leader responsible for daily operations of the party, guiding strategy and management.
National Party Convention: A quadrennial event for delegates to nominate presidential/vice-presidential candidates, ratify party platforms, and set rules.

Political Dynamics

Political Machine: Highly organized groups controlling elections through patronage, ensuring loyalty by trading jobs and favors for votes.
Old Guard: Conservative faction within the Republican Party that opposed progressive reforms, aligning with William Howard Taft during factional disputes.

Electoral Systems

Winner Take All System: In electoral contexts, the system grants all electoral votes to the candidate with the most votes in a state, centralizing power in majorities.

Representation and Inclusivity

Special Interest Caucus: Groups within political structures focused on representing specific minority groups, ensuring their voices and concerns are addressed.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms related to American Government Chapter 7. This quiz covers important concepts such as caucus, direct primary, and economic protest parties. Perfect for students seeking to reinforce their understanding of political processes and party dynamics.