Questions and Answers
What is a minor party?
What is a splinter party?
Those who have split away from one of the major parties.
What is a single issue party?
Parties that concentrate on only one public policy matter.
What defines an ideological party?
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What is an economic protest party?
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Which parties are considered major parties in American politics?
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What was the Free Soil Party known for?
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What was the Bull Moose Party?
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What is a political party?
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What is a bonding agent in politics?
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What is the watch dog function of political parties?
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What is the nominating function of political parties?
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What characterizes a one party system?
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What defines a two party system?
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What is a multi party system?
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What was the Federalist Party?
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What was the Democratic-Republican Party known for?
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What is the spoil system?
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What is a precinct?
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What is a ward in political terms?
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Who is considered an incumbent?
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What is a challenger in politics?
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What is partisanship?
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What does bipartisan mean?
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What is a coalition?
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Study Notes
Political Parties Overview
- Minor parties lack widespread support but can influence elections and major parties.
- Major parties in the U.S. are the Republican and Democratic parties.
Types of Minor Parties
- Splinter Party: Breaks away from a major party; example includes the Bull Moose Progressive Party.
- Single Issue Party: Focuses on one specific public policy; example includes the Free Soil Party.
- Ideological Party: Based on a comprehensive set of beliefs regarding social, economic, and political issues; example includes the Libertarian Party.
- Economic Protest Party: Emerges in response to poor economic conditions without a clear ideological base; example includes the Greenback Party.
Significant Minor Parties and Concepts
- Free Soil Party: Opposed the spread of slavery during the 1840s and 1850s.
- Bull Moose Party: Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, also known as the Progressive Party.
- Political Party Definition: A group seeking to control government through elections and public office.
Functions of Political Parties
- Nominating Function: Responsible for recruiting, choosing, and presenting candidates for public office.
- Bonding Agent: Ensures good performance of candidates and elected officials.
- Watchdog Function: Parties not in power monitor the actions of the ruling party for accountability.
Political Systems
- One Party System: Only one political party exists, with no allowed opposition.
- Two Party System: Dominated by two major political parties.
- Multi Party System: Multiple parties have an equal chance of gaining control, often seen in coalition governments.
Historical Political Parties
- Federalist Party: The first American political party, supportive of high taxation.
- Democratic-Republican Party: Supported a strict interpretation of the Constitution and emphasized states' rights.
Election and Voting Terminology
- Incumbent: The current officeholder in a political position.
- Challenger: A candidate running against an incumbent; Thomas E. Dewey is a notable example.
- Precinct: The smallest unit of election administration or a voting district.
- Ward: A division of cities for the election of city council members.
Political Bias and Alliances
- Partisanship: Government actions that show strong loyalty to a political party.
- Bipartisan: Supported by two political parties.
- Coalition: A temporary alliance of various groups to form a working majority in government.
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Description
Test your knowledge on political parties with these flashcards from Chapter 5. Learn key terms like 'minor party', 'splinter party', and 'single issue party' to understand their roles in the political system. Perfect for students exploring political science concepts.