Ch. 8 Review Qs

PG 252 Qs 1-6 Review Facts & Ideas

1.     Pairs of major parties in American History

a.     Beginning of Country: Federalists, Democratic-Republicans

b.     Before Civil War: Democrats, National Republicans

c.      After Civil War: Democrats, Republicans

2.     Three Types of Third Parties

a.     Ideological – focus on major changes in society

                                               i.     Libertarian Party

1.     Reduction in government for more personal freedom

b.     Splinter

                                               i.     Originally part of one of the big two parties then splits off due to some disagreement

                                              ii.     Progressive/Bull Moose

1.     Theodore Roosevelt wanted to be candidate

c.      Single-Issue

                                               i.     Focus on one major issue

                                              ii.     Liberty Party

1.     Freeing slaves

3.     Two Reasons why people belong to political parties

a.     To become active in the government

b.     To support their ideas and views on issues

4.     Main function of political parties

a.     To recruit candidates for public office

5.     Contrast open and closed primaries

a.     Closed primary

                                               i.     Only party members can vote

b.     Open primary

                                               i.     All voters can participate, no matter affiliation

6.     Trace the changing methods used to select presidential candidates

a.     Before national conventions, presidential candidates were chosen by congressional caucuses

b.     National conventions of party members to decide on a candidate came next

c.      1970s+ called for more involvement of women, minorities ect.

d.     Often the rules change within the conventions

PG 252 1-4 Applying themes

1.     What relationship exists between the methods of representation in democratic nations and their political-party system?

a.     The parties mostly select government officials

b.     The multi-party system can allow for diversity and representation for many different groups of people within a country

2.     How has the presence of minor parties affected American politics?

                                               i.     Sometimes minor parties (especially splinter ones) can draw votes away from one party, but not enough for their own candidates – making the major opposing party win

1.     Ex. Liberals draw votes from Democrats so democrats don’t win but neither do Liberals, Republicans win

                                              ii.     Can cause the larger parties to adopt issues if a minor party brings it to the Public’s attention

1.     Ex. Minimum wage, health insurance

3.     Why have third parties had so little success in the US?

a.     The US started with a two party system and it became a sort of tradition

b.     Third party candidates often have to get a certain number of signatures to be on a ballot while Dem. & Repub. Candidates appear automatically

c.      Single-representative type elections where officials are not elected in proportion to votes or voters, but the biggest percentage of votes is elected

4.     Identify the various ways that a person can support a political party.

a.     Hand out posters

b.     Become a party member and donate

c.      Publicize candidates

d.     Volunteer at conventions