AP Gov Political Parties

1. Political PartiesPolitical Parties

2. Third (Minor) Parties
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The Republican Party was one.
They are limited by the electoral college
and the plurality system.
The Green Party is an example of one.

3. Big Tent Parties
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The New Deal Coalition was one.
These argue against any sort of ideological
rigidity.
A political party seeking to attract people
with diverse viewpoints.

4. Critical Elections
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One occurred in 1860.
These are associated with political
realignment.
When power shifts from one party to
another.

5. Plurality System
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Used in Canada, India, and the United
Kingdom.
Prevents the emergence of strong third
parties.
Winner-takes-all.

6. Reform Party of the USA
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Jesse Ventura, 1998.
Founded by Ross Perot.
A third party with a centralist ideology.

7. Bull Moose Party
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Formed because of a man who couldn’t fit
in a bathtub.
Also known as the Progressive Party.
Splinter party founded by Theodore
Roosevelt.

8. Kingmaker
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Originally applied to the activities of
Richard Neville, 16
th
Earl of Warwick.
Ralph Nader in the 2000 US Presidential
Election.
Someone who doesn’t win an election, but
determines the outcome.

9. Party Identification
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Childhood influence has a large impact on
it.
There are scales and quizzes to measure it.
A voter’s underlying allegiance to a political
party.

10. Bipartisanship
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A key to successful legislation.
A lack of it leads to gridlock.
A state in which two major political parties
are in agreement.

11. Political Factions
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Congressional whips attempt to counteract
these.
A grouping of individuals with a political
purpose.
Federalist No. 10

12. Ticket Splitting
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2004 elections: Governor of Montana &
President of US
Voter is not dedicated to single party
Practice of voting for candidates of
different parties in single election

13. Open Primary
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Party affiliation not necessary
Vote
Type of primary election

14. Closed Primary
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Party affiliations
Primary election
Antonym: Open

15. Runoff Primary
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“Second-stage” primary
Similar to blanket primary
Winning candidates of previous primaries
run against each other

16. Dual Primary
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Type of primary election
Two primaries conducted at the same time
and place
Can choose to vote for either party but
cannot split ticket

17. Super Delegate
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Only Democratic party has this type of
National Convention delegate
Most freedom in voting

18. Pledged Delegate
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Most limited delegate at National
Convention
Required to place vote according to
majority of representative state

19. Unpledged Delegate
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Only Republican party has this type of
delegate
National Convention
Not required to vote according to
representative state population’s majority

20. Front-Loading
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Super Tuesday
Method states use to try to increase
influence on party nominations
Schedule primaries earlier and earlier

21. Party Dealignment
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Increasing trend in US voters
Decrease in party loyalty
Antonym: Realignment

22. Splinter Party
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The States’ Rights party from 1948 is one example
The Bull-Moose Party led by Teddy Roosevelt is another example
When members of one party break off to form another party

23. Divided Government
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16 of the 24 elections between 1952 and 2000 have resulted in this
Causes gridlock in government
One party controls the White House and another controls the Houses
of Congress

24. Ideological Party
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These parties tend to have more extreme and radical views
The Communist, Socialist, and Libertarian parties are examples
Type of party based on a set of economic and social beliefs

25. Party Realignment
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This occurred in 1896 when Republicans defeated Williams
Jenning Bryan in the election
Elections that result in this are also called critical elections
People shift their votes to a different party

26. Democratic Party
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Prior to 1932, this party had strong support in the South
This party has enough registered voters to always win if everyone who
registered voted
In the US, this party has the longest record of continuous operation

27. Linkage Institutions
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In the 1980 election, Reagan used these to his advantage to portray himself as
a strong leader and Carter, his opponent, as weak in foreign policy
Elections, media, political parties, and interest groups make up these
These connect people with politics

28. Republican Party
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This party’s first national candidate’s slogan was “Free soil,
free labor, free speech, free men, Fremont.”
This party has pledged and unpledged delegates
This party is also called the Grand Old Party

29. Gerrymandering
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“Cracking” and “packing” are two tactics used to achieve this
This was named after a Massachusetts governor
State legislators do this to dilute the vote of their opponent

30. Party Platform
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Parties also call these manifestos
These are made up of planks
This is a list of issues a party supports or opposes that
the party must vote on to approve

31. National Convention
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William Jennings Bryan’s Cross of Gold speech was at the
Democratic one of these in 1896
Since 1972, these have become less important and more for
ratifying candidates than nominating them to the presidency
In the past, dark horse candidates like Polk, arose suddenly at
these after party bosses cut backroom deals