Study 10 Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
Are political parties constitutional institutions?
The Constitution does not mention or formally establish political parties; they are political institutions that emerged during the ratification era and Washington’s first administration.
What core functions do political parties perform?
Parties recruit candidates, nominate them, mobilize voters, form policy messages, build coalitions, organize governing majorities, and help voters hold officials accountable.
Why does the United States tend toward two major parties?
Single-member districts combined with plurality or winner-take-all elections discourage support for minor parties because voters may fear a spoiler effect.
What is descriptive representation?
Descriptive representation means officials resemble constituents in characteristics such as race, gender, class, or geography.
What does the Elections Clause establish?
The Elections Clause gives states authority over the times, places, and manner of congressional elections, while allowing Congress to make or alter those regulations.
How does a primary differ from a general election?
A primary selects a party’s candidate; a general election determines who will hold the office.
How does the Electoral College shape presidential campaigns?
The Electoral College means presidential candidates must assemble state-based electoral majorities, so campaigns concentrate resources in competitive states rather than distributing them evenly nationwide.
What is redistricting?
Redistricting is the periodic redrawing of electoral district boundaries, usually after the census.
What did Rucho v. Common Cause decide?
In Rucho v. Common Cause (2019), the Supreme Court held that federal courts could not resolve partisan-gerrymandering claims because they presented political questions without manageable constitutional standards.
What is an interest group?
An interest group seeks to influence public policy without necessarily nominating candidates or trying to control government directly.
What is the collective-action problem?
The collective-action problem occurs when people who would benefit from a public good have incentives to avoid contributing while still enjoying the result.
How did Buckley v. Valeo distinguish contributions from expenditures?
In Buckley v. Valeo (1976), the Court upheld contribution limits but subjected expenditure limits to more demanding scrutiny because expenditures directly affect political communication.