Party Machines by Lane Gilliland Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are Party Machines known for?

Using social media to gain votes

Relying heavily on material inducements (correct)

Focusing solely on merit-based promotions

Encouraging independent voting

Patronage refers to jobs and contracts given for political reasons rather than merit.

True

What are Closed Primaries?

Elections where only registered party members can vote for that party's candidates.

What happens in Open Primaries?

Voters can choose which party's contest to participate in on Election Day. Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Party Convention?

A meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the National Committee?

To keep the party operating between conventions. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the National Chairperson?

The person responsible for the day-to-day activities of the party. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Party Organizations

Party Machines: Political structures that use material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and govern effectively.

Key Concepts in Party Operations

Patronage: Central strategy involving awarding jobs, promotions, or contracts based on political affiliation instead of meritocracy, fostering loyalty and support within the party.

Types of Primaries

Closed Primaries: Limit voting in party nominations to registered party members only, promoting strong party allegiance.
Open Primaries: Allow any voter on Election Day to choose which party's primary to participate in, facilitating broader electoral engagement.

Organizational Framework

National Party Convention: A quadrennial event where party delegates convene to nominate presidential candidates and establish the party platform.
National Committee: A body that maintains party operations between conventions, includes representatives from each state and territory, ensuring continuous party function.

Leadership Roles

National Chairperson: Oversees daily activities of the party, typically selected by the presidential nominee, ensuring alignment with electoral strategies and goals.

Description

This quiz comprises important flashcards covering key concepts from Lane Gilliland's work on party machines. It focuses on definitions and roles of terms such as patronage and closed primaries. Ideal for students of political science looking to deepen their understanding of political party dynamics.