8 Political Parties Free Online FlashCards

What is a political party?

An organized group that seeks to win public office and influence government.

What is a party coalition?

A coalition is a collection of voters and organizations that support a party for overlapping reasons.

How do parties connect citizens to elections?

They develop policy proposals, recruit and nominate candidates, and inform and mobilize voters.

What do congressional party caucuses or conferences do?

Members meet in caucuses or conferences to choose leaders, coordinate legislative priorities, and build support for bills.

What is a party system?

A party system is the pattern of competition among parties in a political system.

How can single-member, plurality elections disadvantage smaller parties?

Voters may hesitate to support a candidate they think cannot win, making it harder for smaller parties to gain support.

What is political realignment?

Realignment is a substantial change in party coalitions as many voters shift their loyalties.

Must party members agree on every issue?

No. Party membership does not require agreement on every issue.

What does a party platform describe?

A platform describes a party’s policy priorities, though candidates and elected officials may differ from it.

Which party is generally the majority party?

It is generally the party holding the most seats.

Why can different parties control the U.S. presidency and Congress?

Different parties may control them at the same time because each is elected separately.

How can parties help voters hold officials accountable?

Voters can reward or reject a party based on its candidates’ records and the government’s performance.