6 Political Parties and Party Systems Free Online FlashCards

What is a political party?

An organized group that seeks political power, usually by contesting elections.

How do parties aggregate preferences?

They combine many demands into broader platforms and policy choices.

What is a party system?

The pattern of competition and cooperation among parties in a country.

What characterizes a one-party system?

One party dominates or monopolizes political power. Without meaningful competition, elections offer no genuine choice among governing alternatives.

What does fragmentation measure in a party system?

Fragmentation describes how many parties matter in a party system.

How do single-member districts with plurality rules tend to affect party competition?

They tend to encourage competition among fewer viable parties.

What is a coalition, and when might parties form a coalition government?

A coalition is an agreement between two or more parties to cooperate. In many parliamentary systems, parties may form a coalition government when no party holds a seat majority.

Why might a president need agreements with other parties?

Because voters elect the president separately from the legislature, the president’s party may lack a legislative majority and need agreements with other parties.

What is a key trade-off in a two-party system?

Two major parties dominate competition for office, even if smaller parties exist; smaller viewpoints may find representation harder to win.

What is a defining feature of a multiparty system?

Several parties win substantial support or seats, potentially representing more viewpoints but often requiring negotiation to form a government.

What does polarization describe among parties?

Polarization describes how far apart parties’ positions are.

What does institutionalization mean in a party system?

Institutionalization describes how stable and socially rooted parties and patterns of competition are.