Chapter 6 Quiz: Political Parties – Flashcards

*One of the various ways in which parites contribute to democratic governance is by _____.* A) reducing inter-party competition B) nominating candidates C) narrowing voter coice D) reducing accountability mechanisms E) diving the electorate

*For citizens in most states, "party" has a particular legal meaning. What is it?* A) party constitution B) party government C) party electorate D) party organization E) party registration

*Realigning elections are also known as _____.* A) critical elections B) special elections C) general elections D) primary elections E) dealigning elections

*Who is included in the "party in the electorate"?* A) party officers who steer the electorate through media spin B) public officials who are registered with one major party C) voters active in the business of the party D) voters registered with the political parties E) party officers who educate the public on party policies

*Party identification is _____.* A) most determined by geography and is increasing in its utility to predict voter behavior B) most determined by one's parents and is declining in its utility to predict voter behavior C) most determined by one's parents and is increasing in its utility to predict voter behavior D) most determined by one's parents and has maintained constant utility in predicting voter behavior E) most determined by geography and is declining in its utility to predict voter behavior

*The official, though ambiguousy written, party _____ is/are ratified by delegates and leaders at the national party convention every four years but given little serious attention.* A) procedure document B) platform C) constitution D) articles E) regulations code

*The U.S. electoral system is capable of producing a major minor party. What features largely account for it failing to do so?* A) single-member distrcits and a nonpartisan balnket primary system B) multi-member districts and a nonpartisan blanket primary system C) single-member districts and a plurality (first-past-the-post) voting system D) multi-member districts and a proportional voting system E) mult-member districts and a plurality (first-past-the-post) voting system

*Money which can be raised in unlimited amounts for party-building purposes is called _____.* A) coordinating expenditures B) soft money C) hard money D) BCRA E) party-independent expenditures

*Hard money must be _____.* A) partially disclosed B) approved by the courts C) distributed by Congressional candidates D) approved by Congress E) fully disclosed

*Minor parties are the most successful in _____.* A) winner-take-all systems B) one-party systems C) systems operating under Duverger's Law D) two-party systems E) multiparty systems

*When did the last political realignment occur, according to most political scientists?* A) 1894 B) 1932 C) 1860 D) 2000 E) 1968

*The years 1860 - 1928 saw the ascendency of which party?* A) Democrats B) Whigs C) Federalists D) Democratic-Republicans E) Republicans

*The _____ is the formal governing body of political parties.* A) national party assembly B) national party committee C) national party legislature D) national party delegation E) national party convention

*How are critical elections and party realignments interrelated?* A) A party realignment occurs after a critical election when new voters outnumber old voters. B) A party realignment occurs before a critical election during periods of national crisis. C) A party realignment occurs during a critical election, not before or after it. D) A party realignment occurs after a critical election. E) A party realignment occurs before a critical election.

*The number of independent voters increased in the 1970s, indicating a possibility of _____.* A) critical elections B) dealignment C) the New Deal D) converting realignment E) realignment

*Which of the following best describes the three functions of political parties?* A) party alignment, dealignment, and realignments over time B) party identification by voters as Democrats, Republicans, and independents C) party activity within the presidential, legislative, and judicial branches of government D) party platforms, constitutional constraints, and the will of the electorate E) party control of Congress and the presidency, party of organizations, and Democrats and Republican voters

*Which of the following groups is least likely to participate in politics?* A) strong Democrats B) strong Republicans C) weak Republicans D) weak Democrats E) independents

*When can a party change its platform?* A) at the start of each fiscal year B) after a federal census C) during the national party convention D) virtually anytime E) every two years

*Which groups benefited most from reforms within the Democratic Party in the late 1960s?* A) blacks and the elderly B) blacks and men C) whites and women D) blacks and women E) whites and the elderly

*The "Grand Old Party" is the nickname of which political party?* A) Democrats B) Federalists C) Whigs D) Republicans E) Anti-Federalists

*What is the difference between party regulars and candidate activists?* A) Party regulars are more concerned with party cohesiveness, while candidate activists tend to be ideologically driven. B) Party regulars tend to be ideologically driven, while candidate activists are more willing to compromise. C) Party regulars focus on issues, while candidate activists focus on party cohesiveness. D) Party regulars are more uncompromising than candidate activists. E) Party regulars focus on individual candidates, while candidate activists focus on issues.

*True or False*: President Harry S. Truman is most associated with the New Deal.

*True or False*: Party activists are people who invest time and effort in political parties.

*True or False*: Party platforms are ratified at national party conventions.

*True or False*: Minor parties have played a more important role in the United States than in virtually any other democratic nation, and have become even more important.