AP Government - Chapter 8

The battle of the parties for control of public offices.

According to Anthony Downs, a "team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election."

1. The party in the electorate (the voters or participants in the party) 2. The party as an organization (precinct leaders, county and state chairpersons, state delegates to the national committee, officials in the party's Washington office) 3. The party in government (Elected officials who call themselves members of the party)

The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. Ex; elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

1. Pick candidates (at National Conventions through nominations) 2. Run campaigns 3. Give cues to voters (give the voters ideas about the candidates ideas based on their party) 4. Articulate policies (Ex: abortion) 5. Coordinate policymaking (Ex: Democrats tend to support Obamacare)

A popular theory in political science to explain the actions of voters as well as politicians. It assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives.

The voter's perception of what the Republicans or Democrats stand for, such as conservatism or liberalism.

A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.

Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices.

A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern.

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party's candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty.

Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests.

The meeting of party delegates every four years (late summer) to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform.

One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. It is composed of representatives from the states and territories.

The person responsible for the day-to-day activities of the party and is usually handpicked by the presidential nominee. Hires staff, raises money, pays the bills, and attends to the daily duties of the party.

A group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends. Ex: Southern Black Coalition

The party's official statements of beliefs, values, and policy positions.

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections.

Historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power, which tends to win a majority of the elections. Ex: Democrats in the 1930's-1960's

An electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party. Ex: When the Republicans gained control of the House under Clinton

The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period.

A coalition forged by the Democrats, who dominated American politics from the 1930's to the 1960's.

1. Urban Dwellers - big cities 2. Labor Unions - FDR = first president to support Labor Unions 3. Catholics and Jews - minorities 4. The Poor - welfare 5. Southerners - always been democratic 6. African Americans - minority

When the Southern conservatives went to the Republican Party, thereby breaking the Democratic Party's long dominance over the former confederacy. Nixon helped to get this support by getting the votes from the Democratic conservatives. (1968-present)

The gradual disengagement of people from the parties, as seen in part by shrinking party identification.

Electoral contenders other than the two major parties. American third parties are not unusual, but they rarely win elections.

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first to their constituencies.

A view about how parties should work, held by some political scientists: 1. Parties must present distinct, comprehensive programs for governing the nation. 2. Each party's candidates must be committed to its program and have the internal cohesion and discipline to carry out its program. 3. The majority party must implement its programs, and the minority party must state what it would do if it were in power. 4. The majority party must accept responsibility for the performance of the government.

An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election.

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe.

Fiscally conservative Democrats who are mostly from the South and/or rural parts of the United States.