Section 1
What is the oldest active political party in the U.S.?
The Democratic Party
Who makes up the Party-in-the-Electorate?
The voters (the people)
What term means that parties grow farther apart ideologically?
Party Polarization
What is a written statement of a party's beliefs, goals, and policy positions called?
Party Platform
What is the smallest election unit called? People vote here.
Precinct
What is someone called that has middle-of-the-road views on politics?
Moderate
What are powerful party organizations called that use favors, jobs, and services to maintain loyalty and win elections called?
Political Machines
What is the formal structure called that coordinates party behavior and supports candidates?
EX: DNC and RNC
Party Organization
What is it called when members of different parties work together?
Bipartisanship
What group's job is it to nominate candidates, run campaigns, and organize government once elected?
Political Parties
What can cause a party realignment?
Economic Crisis
War/foreign policy failures
Major social movements
The party stops representing voter priorities
What term means official and formal registration with a political party?
Party membership
What kind of government has different political parties controlling the presidency and Congress?
Divided Government
What are the organizations of people called who share common goals and work to influence public policy? They do not run candidates for political office.
Interest Groups
What is the long-term shift where large groups of voters change their support called?
Party Realignment
What is someone called who informally associates with a political party? They can exist without registration.
Party Identifier
What is the manipulation of districts to favor a political party called?
Gerrymandering