Ch-8 Political Parties – Flashcards
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A political party is A) less interested in winning elections than in particular public policy. B) a group of people who agree on everything and organize annually to win elections. C) a narrow interest group seeking advantage through elections. D) a team of men and women with similar beliefs seeking legitimate control of the government by through elections. E) an organization devoted to implementing policy in the public interest.
answer
a team of men and women with similar beliefs seeking legitimate control of the government by through elections.
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The largest segment of an American political party is described as A) the party-out-of-power. B) the party-in-the-electorate. C) the party-in-government. D) the party volunteers. E) the party organization.
answer
the party-in-the-electorate.
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In the description of political parties as ʺthree-headed political giants,ʺ which of the following is NOT considered one of those three heads? A) the party-in-government B) the party-out-of-power C) the party-in-the-electorate D) the party as an organization E) none of the above
answer
the party-out-of-power
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Which of the following is TRUE of political parties in the United States? A) To be a member of a party, all you have to do is claim to be one. B) Parties require dues. C) They are more powerful than their European counterparts. D) Parties issue membership cards to all members. E) Party members agree on all major issues or they will be expelled from the party.
answer
To be a member of a party, all you have to do is claim to be one.
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The key spokespersons for political parties come from which of its major components? A) the party-in-the-electorate B) the party as an organization C) the party-out-of-power D) the leaders-of-the-party-organization E) the party-in-government
answer
the party-in-government
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A political party is best defined as A) a group of men and women organized for the sole purpose of influencing public policy. B) an organized team of men and women with a political agenda. C) any group of men and women with a formal membership and a political or social purpose stated in their by-laws. D) a team of men and women seeking control of the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election. E) a coalition of interests trying to influence government policies for their benefit.
answer
a team of men and women seeking control of the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.
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According to the ʺthree-headed political giantʺ model of political parties, the largest component of an American party is the A) party as an organization. B) party-in-the-states. C) party Congress. D) party-in-the-electorate. E) party-in-government.
answer
party-in-the-electorate.
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In the United States, to become a member of a political party you need to A) pay annual dues. B) officially join that party by attending a party meeting. C) hold a membership card. D) register with that party at your precinct office. E) claim to be a member.
answer
claim to be a member.
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The people who keep the party running between elections and make its rules are members of which ʺheadʺ of the party? A) party-in-the-electorate B) permanent party C) party as an organization D) party-in-government E) party-in-the-states
answer
party as an organization
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The ʺparty-in-governmentʺ refers to A) registered party voters who hold civil service jobs in the government and are influencing policy. B) winning candidates who become the main spokespersons for the party that nominated them. C) coalitions of interests and ideologies that support a partyʹs candidates. D) party workers who hold patronage jobs in the government and can influence policy. E) party members who perpetuate the party, make its rules, and keep it running.
answer
winning candidates who become the main spokespersons for the party that nominated them.
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The political ʺparty-in-the-electorateʺ is defined as people who A) vote for the candidates from one party. B) register as members of a party. C) work for a partyʹs candidates. D) identify with a party. E) walk door-to-door to meet the voters and personally campaign for their partyʹs candidates.
answer
identify with a party.
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Almost all definitions of political parties have which of the following in common? A) Parties have formal organizations. B) Parties have a mass following. C) Parties try to win elections. D) Parties are run by elites. E) Parties have limited policy agendas.
answer
Parties try to win elections.
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Which is a linkage institution? A) Supreme Court B) Executive Office of the President C) Congress D) all of the above E) none of the above
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none of the above
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A partyʹs endorsement to officially run for office as the candidate of that party is called A) a ballot. B) a ticket. C) a nomination. D) a confirmation. E) an appointment.
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a nomination.
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Political parties perform all of the following tasks EXCEPT A) pick policymakers and run campaigns. B) enforce rigid adherence to their policy positions. C) advocate public policies. D) coordinate policymaking. E) give cues to voters.
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enforce rigid adherence to their policy positions.
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As ________, political parties serve the role of translating inputs from the public into outputs from policymakers. A) coalitions B) superdelegates C) political converters D) machines E) linkage institutions
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linkage institutions
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Linkage institutions A) help link the three branches of government together to achieve coherent policies. B) are used to implement public policies. C) link political parties to the government. D) translate inputs from the public into outputs from the policymakers. E) link the president to members of his/her party in Congress, so they can coordinate their policies in government.
answer
translate inputs from the public into outputs from the policymakers.
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American political parties tend to take middle-of-the-road stands on major issues A) only because the partyʹs candidates are so afraid of alienating those on different sides of issues. B) while the public tends to have stronger opinions C) in spite of evidence that more extreme positions generate more excitement and likelihood for electoral victory. D) because most of the American electorate are centrist. E) because most of the American electorate do not have political opinions.
answer
because most of the American electorate are centrist.
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Rational-choice theory asserts that A) the parties should not be expected to differentiate themselves in any way. B) more extremist party positions give the public a sense that things can really be changed, and usually win elections. C) the wise party selects policies in which it truly believes, and gives the voters a chance to vote them up or down on principle. D) the wise party selects policies that are widely favored. E) none of the above
answer
the wise party selects policies that are widely favored.
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The theory that seeks to explain political processes and outcomes as consequences of purposive behavior is called the A) rational-choice theory. B) behaviorism. C) means-ends theory. D) cognitive theory. E) goals theory.
answer
rational-choice theory.
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Compared to 1952, recent polls on party identification have shown that A) more people today identify themselves as Democrats. B) there are more independents than there are Democrats or Republicans. C) the percentage of Democrats has increased only slightly, while the percentage of Republicans has declined. D) both the percentages of both Democrats and Republicans in the country have increased. E) none of the above
answer
there are more independents than there are Democrats or Republicans.
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Ticket-splitting is best understood as A) voting with one party for one office and another for other offices. B) voting for Democratic candidates for president and Republican candidates for Congress. C) a tactic used to commit voter fraud, which enables a voter to cast multiple ballots. D) staying with the same party in an election, voting down the partyʹs line for every race. E) voting for Republican candidates for president and Democratic candidates for Congress.
answer
voting with one party for one office and another for other offices.
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The upsurge of partisan independence among Americans since 1952 A) has come mostly at the expense of the Republicans. B) has not harmed either party. C) has come mostly at the expense of the Democrats. D) has occurred mostly among minor party identifiers. E) has harmed both parties equally.
answer
has come mostly at the expense of the Democrats.
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In 2004, Americans were most likely to consider themselves ________, and least likely to consider themselves ________. A) Independents; Democrats B) Republicans; Democrats C) Independents; Republicans D) Democrats; Independents E) Democrats; Republicans
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Independents; Republicans
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Most Americans are A) liberal. B) moderate-liberals. C) moderate. D) conservative. E) non-ideological.
answer
moderate.
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In recent elections, the trends in party identification in the United States have been A) an increase in the percentage of Democrats and a decline in the percentage of Independents. B) an increase in the percentages of Democrats and Republicans and a decline in the percentage of Independents. C) an increase in the percentage of Democrats and a decline in the percentage of Republicans. D) a decrease in the percentage of Democrats and an increase in the percentage of Independents. E) a fairly constant percentage of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
answer
a decrease in the percentage of Democrats and an increase in the percentage of Independents.
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Ticket-splitting refers to A) switching membership in political parties. B) the procedure used to conduct computerized, automated vote counting. C) voting with one party in one presidential election, and another party in the next presidential election. D) voting for one party for one office, and another party for other offices. E) voting for a party other than the one you identify with.
answer
voting for one party for one office, and another party for other offices.
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In terms of organizational structure, American political parties are A) organized more by regions of the country than at the state or national level. B) decentralized and fragmented. C) tightly controlled organisms that exert tremendous control over candidates. D) operated on the principle of democratic centralism: Local and state organizations control the national organizations. E) centralized and hierarchical.
answer
decentralized and fragmented.
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Power in the major United States political parties is A) fragmented among local, state, and national party organizations. B) concentrated in the state parties, with national and local organizations playing only minor roles. C) hierarchically distributed from the national to local levels. D) centralized in national party organizations. E) concentrated in party machines at the local level.
answer
fragmented among local, state, and national party organizations.
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From the late-nineteenth century through the New Deal years, many of Americaʹs largest cities were dominated by A) corrupt but popular party machines. B) the Socialist party. C) the Communist party. D) mayors who refused to allow elections. E) super delegates who controlled everything.
answer
corrupt but popular party machines.
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Party machines in large cities relied primarily on ________ to reward friends and punish enemies. A) local judges B) patronage C) city police departments D) the civil service merit system E) third parties
answer
patronage
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A party machine is a kind of local party organization that A) threatens the efficiency of state and national party organizations. B) specializes in computerized mass mailings both to raise funds and influence voters on behalf of their candidates. C) uses specific and material inducements to win party loyalty and power. D) remains strong in most large American cities. E) has recently come to depend heavily on ethnic group support.
answer
uses specific and material inducements to win party loyalty and power.
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Patronage A) is commonly used by political parties today. B) is an incentive given by national party offices. C) is the deference that elected officials give to their campaign contributors in making policy decisions. D) is based on merit and competence. E) was an inducement of jobs and financial rewards given for political reasons by party machines.
answer
was an inducement of jobs and financial rewards given for political reasons by party machines.
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________ has some of the strongest parties in America. A) Hawaii B) Pennsylvania C) New York D) Texas E) California
answer
Pennsylvania
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Since 1960, state party organizations A) have begun selecting candidates for state offices. B) have been established for the first time as the national organizations have weakened. C) have virtually disappeared as the national units have taken on their functions. D) have begun selecting candidates for Congress. E) have become much more powerful and organized.
answer
have become much more powerful and organized.
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About which state has it been said that the political parties are so weak as to be almost nonexistent? A) Pennsylvania B) New York C) Texas D) Alaska E) California
answer
California
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In closed primaries, A) voters may vote for candidates from either party. B) voters may choose on election day which party primary they want to participate in. C) only voters who have registered in advance with the party can vote. D) voters may vote for multiple candidates. E) none of the above
answer
only voters who have registered in advance with the party can vote.
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In open primaries, A) voters may choose on election day which party primary they want to participate in. B) voters may vote for candidates from either party. C) only voters who have registered in advance with the party can vote. D) voters may vote for multiple candidates. E) none of the above
answer
voters may choose on election day which party primary they want to participate in.
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In blanket primaries, A) voters may choose on election day which party primary they want to participate in. B) only voters who have registered in advance with the party can vote. C) voters may vote for candidates from either party. D) voters may vote for multiple candidates. E) none of the above
answer
voters may vote for candidates from either party.
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Closed primaries A) depress voter turnout. B) encourage party loyalty. C) discourage party loyalty. D) cost less than open primaries. E) have fewer undercounts.
answer
encourage party loyalty.
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Blanket primaries A) cost less than open primaries. B) discourage party loyalty. C) depress voter turnout. D) encourage party loyalty. E) have fewer undercounts.
answer
encourage party loyalty.
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American national parties are best described as A) controlled from the bottom (local level) up. B) loose aggregations of state parties. C) bicameral in nature. D) centralized organizations based in Congress. E) powerful, centralized organizations based in Washington, D.C.
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loose aggregations of state parties.
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Each party holds a national convention every A) six years. B) year. C) four years. D) five years. E) two years.
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four years.
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The supreme power within each of the parties is A) the state party organizations. B) the president. C) the Supreme Party Court. D) the national convention. E) the national committee.
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the national convention.
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Keeping the party operating between conventions is the job of the A) national committee. B) regional offices. C) elected officials. D) congressional leadership. E) majority or minority whip.
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national committee.
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The chairperson of the party that controls the White House is normally selected by A) members of the party in Congress. B) a committee of state chairpersons. C) the president. D) closed primary. E) none of the above
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the president.
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Every political party depends upon what the text calls a ________ , meaning a set of individuals or groups supporting it. A) system of patronage B) coalition C) set of super delegates D) power base E) linkage institution
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coalition
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The party national committees A) select the partyʹs presidential candidate. B) are composed of each partyʹs members of Congress. C) meet once every four years. D) write and approve the partyʹs platform. E) keep the party operating between conventions.
answer
keep the party operating between conventions.
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The day-to-day activities of the national party are the responsibility of the A) congressional party leaders. B) national chairperson. C) president. D) national committee. E) national convention.
answer
national chairperson.
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Voters and coalitions of voters are attracted to different parties largely by A) selective perception. B) their performance and policies. C) the charisma of their candidates. D) tradition. E) their socio-economic status.
answer
their performance and policies.
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Political candidates make many promises when running for office. In electing one, the public can expect A) specific implementation of the promise to differ from the general promise made during the campaign. B) few to be carried out because political promises are made to be broken. C) that for every broken promise, many more will be kept. D) a significant gap between party platform and political performance. E) both A and D.
answer
that for every broken promise, many more will be kept.
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The American political parties fall far short of the responsible party model for all of the following reasons EXCEPT A) they are too decentralized. B) there is no mechanism for the parties to discipline officeholders. C) their presidential candidates ignore the party platform. D) their candidates are usually self-selected. E) none of the above
answer
their presidential candidates ignore the party platform.
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A study of major party platforms by Gerald Pomper found that the parties broke their promises A) ten percent of the time. B) half the time. C) two-thirds of the time. D) over ninety percent of the time. E) a third of the time.
answer
ten percent of the time.
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A party era refers to A) a period of history in which there is one dominant majority party that wins most elections. B) the period between two elections, during which the two parties are assessed as to how powerful they are relative to each other. C) a period of years during which a party is born and begins to run candidates for office. D) the life span of a party from its beginning to end (e.g., the Whigs). E) a period of time during which there is one dominant majority party that wins all elections.
answer
a period of history in which there is one dominant majority party that wins most elections.
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A party era begins, or is made more certain, with A) the defeat of an incumbent president. B) a critical election. C) the founding of a new major party. D) party competition. E) a congressional election.
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a critical election.
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A critical election involves and accelerates a process called A) partisan transformation. B) electoral examination. C) proportional representation. D) party realignment. E) democratic rejuvenation.
answer
party realignment.
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Party realignments in the United States A) occur when a party makes dramatic changes in its positions on issues. B) involve the death of one party and the birth of a brand new one. C) are slight adjustments of political allegiance among voters in at least one region of the country. D) happen after most presidential elections, and occasionally in-between. E) are rare events in the United States, usually associated with a major national crisis or trauma, in which one partyʹs majority domination is replaced with anotherʹs.
answer
are rare events in the United States, usually associated with a major national crisis or trauma, in which one partyʹs majority domination is replaced with anotherʹs.
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Realignments are typically associated with A) a major reorganization of the executive branch. B) the creation of new states. C) one party winning the presidency while the other controls Congress. D) a major crisis or trauma in the nation. E) changes in election laws.
answer
a major crisis or trauma in the nation.
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The first party system in the United States consisted of the A) Democrats and Whigs. B) Federalists and Whigs. C) Democrats and Republicans. D) Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. E) Democratic-Republicans and Whigs.
answer
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
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The dominant political party in Americaʹs first party system was the A) Democratic-Republicans. B) Whigs. C) Republicans. D) Democrats. E) Federalists.
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Democratic-Republicans.
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The Democratic-Republicans were also known as the A) Jeffersonians. B) Madisonians. C) Whigs. D) Federalists. E) Hamiltonians.
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Jeffersonians.
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The last Federalist president was A) Alexander Hamilton. B) John Adams. C) Andrew Jackson. D) Abraham Lincoln. E) Thomas Jefferson.
answer
John Adams.
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At the beginning of party development in the United States, A) parties tried to defeat each other in elections. B) there were many small parties, each representing a narrow interest. C) we had a one-party system where one powerful party dominated the government and blocked the creation of new parties. D) parties sought to destroy each other. E) parties were merely the personal following of certain charismatic individuals.
answer
parties sought to destroy each other.
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The first American political party evolved A) from the supporters of George Washingtonʹs first campaign for president. B) out of Thomas Jeffersonʹs efforts to get the Declaration of Independence adopted. C) out of public disgust over the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, leading to calls to solve conflicts through peaceful party competition. D) during the Constitutional Convention. E) out of Alexander Hamiltonʹs efforts to get Congress to establish a national bank.
answer
out of Alexander Hamiltonʹs efforts to get Congress to establish a national bank.
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The policy positions stated in party platforms are A) of some importance because they are unambiguous statements of where a party stands. B) intended to get a candidate elected, not to be implemented. C) of little importance because only 10 to 25 percent of the positions are acted upon by government. D) very important because nearly three-fourths of them result in policy action when the party is in power. E) never important because less than one-third of them result in policy action when the party is in power.
answer
very important because nearly three-fourths of them result in policy action when the party is in power.
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Party eras in American politics are periods of time in which A) partisan identification is at high levels and political party nominees win most elections rather than independent candidates who are unaffiliated with a party. B) party organizations grow very strong, are able to control the policy positions of their candidates, and win votes by providing jobs and government services to loyal party supporters. C) political dominance frequently shifts from one party to the other. D) one party dominates. E) one party wins every presidential election.
answer
one party dominates.
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ʺCritical electionsʺ always result in the A) widespread public questioning of the American election process accompanied by calls for its reform. B) displacement of the minority party by the majority party. C) formation of new political parties. D) successful bid by a third political party. E) formation of new coalitions for each political party.
answer
formation of new coalitions for each political party.
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Which of the following statements about party realignment is FALSE? A) Party realignments are typically associated with a major crisis or trauma. B) Party realignments were associated with the Civil War and with the Great Depression. C) Party realignments transform the party system. D) Party realignment involves a reconfiguration of the demographic groups supporting the parties. E) Party realignments occur often in American political life.
answer
Party realignments were associated with the Civil War and with the Great Depression.
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Americaʹs first and shortest-lived major political party was the A) Anti-Federalist party. B) Whig party. C) Democratic-Republican party. D) Federalist party. E) Independence party.
answer
Federalist party.
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The first party system (1796-1824) was characterized by A) professional politicians running for office. B) the dominance of the presidency by the Federalist party. C) the dominance of the Republican party. D) the dominance of the northern capitalist states. E) the dominance of the Democratic-Republican party.
answer
the dominance of the Democratic-Republican party.
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Andrew Jackson was the first president identified as a(n) A) Independent. B) Democrat. C) Republican. D) Democratic-Republican. E) Whig.
answer
Democrat.
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In the second party system in United States history, the election contests were between which two major parties? A) Democrats and Whigs B) Democrats and Republicans C) Federalists and Whigs D) Republicans and Whigs E) Federalists and Anti-Federalists
answer
Democrats and Whigs
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During the second party system in United States history, Martin Van Buren argued that A) political parties were harming the country because they promoted factionalism, petty bickering, and disunity. B) the Whigs should be the sole party, as they were the only legitimate representatives of the people. C) the Democrats should be the sole party, as they were the only legitimate representatives of the people. D) the Republicans should be the sole party, as they were the only legitimate representatives of the people. E) a governing party needed a loyal opposition party to represent parts of society that it could not.
answer
a governing party needed a loyal opposition party to represent parts of society that it could not.
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The election of 1828 that brought Andrew Jackson to the presidency was significant because it A) began the ascendancy of the New Deal coalition around the Democratic party. B) marked the rise of the Whigs. C) was the first time the Republican party controlled Congress. D) forged a new political coalition. E) marked the beginning of the dominance of northern industrialists.
answer
forged a new political coalition.
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The Whig party A) was named after the wigs that the early aristocrats such as George Washington wore. B) dominated the second American party era between 1828 and 1856. C) forged a coalition of westerners, southerners, and new immigrants. D) believed in broadening political opportunity, eliminating vestiges of elitism, and mobilizing the masses. E) was only able to win the presidency when it nominated aging, but popular, military heroes.
answer
was only able to win the presidency when it nominated aging, but popular, military heroes.
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The Republicans emerged as a powerful political party in the A) 1890s. B) 1790s. C) 1930s. D) 1850s. E) 1820s.
answer
1850s.
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The Republican party began as the A) party of big business interests. B) principal anti-slavery party. C) principal pro-slavery party. D) party of statesʹ rights and silver money. E) party of the New Deal.
answer
principal anti-slavery party.
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The Republicans had a long period as the countryʹs dominant majority party, which ended A) in 1992. B) in 1980. C) with the Civil War. D) in 1932. E) in 1896.
answer
in 1932.
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The Depression of the 1930s gave rise to what is called A) econo-politics. B) party competition. C) the Era of Divided Government. D) the New Deal coalition. E) the Republican resurgence.
answer
the New Deal coalition.
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The New Deal coalition was responsible for electing and reelecting A) Socialist party candidates. B) Democrats. C) Republicans. D) Whigs. E) Democratic-Republicans.
answer
Democrats.
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Who was the president who brought together the original New Deal coalition in support of his candidacy? A) Woodrow Wilson B) Lyndon Johnson C) John F. Kennedy D) Franklin D. Roosevelt E) Herbert Hoover
answer
Franklin D. Roosevelt
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The Republican party rose to prominence in the late 1850s as the A) Free Silver party. B) Party Of The Wealthy Elite. C) Gold Standard party. D) Anti-slavery party. E) Party of Rural Farmers.
answer
Anti-slavery party.
question
The election of 1896 is considered a watershed because it A) entrenched western farmers and silverites in the Republican party. B) shifted the party coalitions and entrenched the Republicans in power for another generation. C) gave Republicans control of the South. D) marked the rise of the Populist party, which dominated American politics until the Depression. E) brought the industrial working classes and Wall Street interests together into the Democratic fold.
answer
shifted the party coalitions and entrenched the Republicans in power for another generation.
question
The Republicans lost the election of 1932 primarily due to A) the nomination of a popular war hero by the Democrats. B) Hitlerʹs election as chancellor of Germany and the Republicansʹ failure to prevent it. C) rising political and economic instability in Europe. D) the failure of the Republicans to hold onto the support of urban industrialists. E) President Herbert Hooverʹs handling of the Depression.
answer
President Herbert Hooverʹs handling of the Depression.
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Which of the following groups was NOT part of the New Deal coalition? A) African Americans B) Southerners C) members of labor unions D) wealthy New Englanders E) Catholics and Jews
answer
wealthy New Englanders
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Between the 1930s and the 1960s, people attracted to the Democratic party included A) Protestants and Jews. B) urban working classes and intellectuals. C) northerners and the rich. D) farmers and rural dwellers. E) the college-educated and business owners.
answer
urban working classes and intellectuals.
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The New Deal coalition made the ________ party the minority party for decades. A) Socialist B) Federalist C) Whig D) Republican E) Democratic
answer
Republican
question
Since 1968, American politics has been characterized by A) divided government. B) the New Deal coalition. C) Republican control of both the Congress and presidency. D) Democratic control of the presidency and Republican control of Congress. E) Democratic control of both the Congress and presidency.
answer
divided government.
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In elections since 1968, A) the Democrats have dominated both the presidency and the Congress. B) the Republicans have dominated both the presidency and the Congress. C) party control of both Congress and the presidency has shifted from one party to the other at least every other election. D) the Democrats have dominated the presidency, while the Republicans have dominated Congress. E) the Republicans have dominated the presidency, while the Democrats have dominated the Congress.
answer
the Republicans have dominated the presidency, while the Democrats have dominated the Congress.
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People gradually moving away from both parties is referred to as A) partisan drift. B) coalition politics. C) realignment. D) dealignment. E) alignment.
answer
dealignment.
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Party dealignment is symbolized by A) the 1992 election of a president and Congress of the same party. B) the recent pattern of one-party control. C) a renewed commitment to Americaʹs two major political parties. D) the recent pattern of divided government. E) the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994.
answer
the recent pattern of divided government.
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Loyalty to a political party has ________ over the past thirty years. A) increased slightly B) increased significantly C) decreased D) remained about the same E) virtually disappeared
answer
decreased
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Over the past thirty years, there has been a marked rise in A) support for both the major and minor parties. B) support for the Democratic party. C) support for both the Democratic and Republican parties. D) support for minor parties. E) party neutrality.
answer
party neutrality.
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What sort of realignment has occurred in the current party era? A) a Southern realignment B) a rural/urban realignment C) a cultural realignment D) an entire realignment E) an age-based realignment
answer
a Southern realignment
question
In 1968 the Democratic party was torn apart, leaving the door to the presidency open for Republican Richard Nixon primarily due to A) the failure of President Johnsonʹs War on Poverty. B) the sudden evaporation of the New Deal coalition. C) the abandonment of the Democratic party by African Americans. D) President Johnsonʹs Vietnam War policies. E) the severity of the mid-60ʹs recession.
answer
President Johnsonʹs Vietnam War policies.
question
From 1968 to 1992, A) the Republicans dominated the presidency while the Democrats dominated Congress. B) a realignment occurred that destroyed the New Deal coalition. C) the Republicans became the majority party. D) the Republicans dominated the federal government while the Democrats dominated state governments. E) the Democrats experienced a slow, ʺcreeping ascendanceʺ that culminated in their gaining control of the entire government with the election of Bill Clinton.
answer
the Republicans dominated the presidency while the Democrats dominated Congress.
question
Party dealignment means the A) the inability of the parties to deal with the nationʹs problems. B) lack of party cohesion in Congress. C) realignment of party coalitions. D) increasing inability of minority parties to win elections. E) decreasing influence of both parties on voters and government.
answer
decreasing influence of both parties on voters and government.
question
Which of the following statements about third parties in the United States is FALSE? A) Third parties often bring new issues to the political agenda. B) Third parties are a rare phenomena in American history. C) Third parties have brought new groups into the electorate. D) Third-party candidates almost never win office in the United States. E) Third parties have had important effects on American politics.
answer
Third parties are a rare phenomena in American history.
question
Ross Perotʹs candidacies for president in 1992 and 1996 were an example of what type of third-party campaign? A) a split-level party B) a party espousing an extreme ideological position C) a splinter party D) a party serving as an extension of one individualʹs candidacy E) none of the above
answer
a party serving as an extension of one individualʹs candidacy
question
In 2000, Green party candidate Ralph Nader forced more attention on ________ issues and drew away a small percentage of votes from Al Gore. A) budgetary B) environmental C) health D) national security E) welfare
answer
environmental
question
Which of the following is TRUE about most third-party campaigns in American history? A) They almost never win office. B) They occasionally succeed. C) They usually become major political parties over time. D) They have been most successful at promoting party dealignment. E) They frequently are successful.
answer
They almost never win office.
question
An example of a splinter party would be A) the Prohibitionist party. B) the Poor Manʹs party of 1952. C) the Libertarian party. D) Ross Perotʹs United We Stand. E) George Wallaceʹs American Independents.
answer
George Wallaceʹs American Independents.
question
Critically affecting the electoral college vote, bringing new issues to the public agenda, and venting popular discontent are important roles played by A) intra-party factions. B) splinter groups in a multiparty system. C) the two-party system in thwarting extreme or unconventional views. D) third parties in a two-party system. E) parties based on a single issue in a multiple-issue society.
answer
third parties in a two-party system.
question
The first true anti-slavery party was the A) Free Soil party. B) Anti-slavery party. C) Populist party. D) Progressive party. E) Republican party.
answer
Free Soil party.
question
In many other democracies, the system of awarding seats in the national legislature, unlike in the United States, is one of A) single-member districts. B) intellectual merit alone. C) winner-take-all. D) virtual representation. E) proportional representation.
answer
proportional representation.
question
A proportional representation system for electing members to a nationʹs legislature is more likely to lead to a A) situation like that of the United States, with only two major parties as rivals. B) centralization and unification of political forces within the nation. C) single party holding all the seats. D) moderating of political conflict. E) greater number of political parties holding seats.
answer
greater number of political parties holding seats.
question
If the United States had a multiparty system, A) third parties would come to dominate politics. B) the necessity for coalitions would be eliminated. C) each party would have more distinct policy positions. D) people would have to pay dues to belong to a party. E) each party would move to the ideological center.
answer
each party would have more distinct policy positions.
question
In a winner-take-all system, A) coalition governments are common. B) unless a party wins, there is no reward for the votes it gets. C) if no single party gets a majority vote, a runoff election is held between the top two parties. D) legislative seats are allocated according to each partyʹs percentage of the nationwide vote. E) the party winning the majority of the votes wins all the seats up for election in the legislature.
answer
unless a party wins, there is no reward for the votes it gets.
question
In proportional representation systems, A) whoever gets the most votes wins the election. B) each demographic group is allocated a certain number of positions in the government, in proportion to that groupʹs percentage of the population. C) coalition governments usually last for many years. D) legislative seats are allocated according to each partyʹs percentage of the nationwide vote. E) every party gets represented in the legislature.
answer
legislative seats are allocated according to each partyʹs percentage of the nationwide vote.
question
The American two-party system promotes A) the organization of political parties around special interests. B) the weakness of centrist positions on policy issues. C) moderation in conflict and ambiguous policy positions. D) greater conflict, but clear policy choices. E) competitive elections.
answer
moderation in conflict and ambiguous policy positions.
question
Advocates of the ________ believe that parties should present distinct, comprehensive programs for governing the nation and carry them out. A) differentiation approach B) McGovern-Fraser Commission C) responsible party model D) rational-choice theory E) party realignment
answer
responsible party model
question
The ʺresponsible partyʺ model holds that parties should A) not use wedge issues that cause the other partyʹs supporters to fight with each other during the campaign. B) avoid making promises. C) keep to middle-of-the-road positions. D) present clear alternatives to voters. E) avoid ideological stands.
answer
present clear alternatives to voters.
question
In what way do weak political parties affect the scope of government? A) They make it difficult for politicians to help their constituents. B) They allow presidents to expand the scope of foreign policy, while they decrease the domestic scope of government. C) Being weak, they are unable to counteract the power of government so the scope of government grows. D) Since it is harder for them to enact legislation, it is hard for them to either expand or decrease the scope of government. E) They have had no real effect on the size and power of government.
answer
Since it is harder for them to enact legislation, it is hard for them to either expand or decrease the scope of government.
question
The weakening of party control over American politics A) is in part due to the increasing influence of the media. B) is leading to a multiparty system in this country. C) threatens democracy. D) threatens the very existence of political parties. E) leads to fewer differences between party platforms.
answer
is in part due to the increasing influence of the media.
