Deck 7: Political Parties

Question 1

The Federalists supported a strong central government that would: 

A) oppose the ratification of the Constitution. 
B) encourage the development of commerce and manufacturing. 
C) encourage the development of cottage industries and the farming sector. 
D) support the two-party political system. 
E) encourage the development of commerce as well as the farming sector.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

_____ in his Farewell Address said that the "spirit of party ...agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms,kindles the animosity of one part against another,foments occasionally riot and insurrection." 

A) George Washington 
B) John Adams 
C) Thomas Jefferson 
D) Andrew Jackson 
E) Daniel Webster

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In the 1890s,the Populists-the People's Party-advocated _____ as a way of lessening the indebted farmers' debts.

A) farming 
B) inflation 
C) slavery 
D) trading 
E) labor growth

Answer 3

B

Question 4

By the mid-1850s,the Whig coalition had fallen apart,and most northern Whigs were absorbed into the new _____,which opposed the extension of slavery into new territories.

A) People's Party 
B) Republican Party 
C) Democratic Party 
D) Libertarian Party 
E) Socialist Party

Question 5

Beginning with the presidential elections of 2000,the term "blue state" has been used to describe a state in the U.S.whose citizens primarily vote for _____.

A) the Democratic Party 
B) the Republican Party 
C) the Green Party 
D) the Libertarian Party 
E) independent candidates

Question 6

Jeffersonian Republicans believed that the nation's welfare would be best served if: 

A) it was ruled by its wealthiest and best-educated citizens. 
B) its states had more power than the central government. 
C) it had a strong and powerful central government. 
D) government policies promoted the development of commerce. 
E) government policies shifted its focus from farming to manufacturing.

Question 7

In the context of the second realignment in American history,the Democrats appealed to: 

A) the southern planters. 
B) small farmers. 
C) bankers. 
D) the business owners. 
E) the foreign traders.

Question 8

In the 1890s,the Democrats allied themselves with the Populist movement,which consisted largely of: 

A) urban workers in the Midwest and East. 
B) indebted farmers in the West and South. 
C) African Americans and abolitionists. 
D) well-educated and wealthy merchants. 
E) wealthy plantation owners in the South.

Question 9

_____ is a process in which the popular support for and relative strength of the political parties shift and the parties are reestablished with different coalitions of supporters.

A) Fragmenting 
B) Realignment 
C) Dealignment 
D) Tipping 
E) Segregation

Question 10

Which of the following parties argued against ratification of the Constitution? 

A) The Democratic Party 
B) The Republican Party 
C) The Anti-Federalist Party 
D) The Federalist Party 
E) The Libertarian Party

Question 11

Which of the following functions of political parties helps simplify voting choices for the electorate? 

A) Acting as the major institution through which the executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other 
B) Volunteering at the polling places 
C) Helping citizens learn about the important political issues 
D) Informing voters of the shortcomings of the majority party's agenda 
E) Narrowing the field of candidates contesting for public office

Question 12

As the Whigs and Democrats competed for the White House throughout the 1840s and 1850s,which of the following was the common aspect between the groups? 

A) Both the Whigs and the Democrats tried to favor rural development. 
B) Both the Whigs and the Democrats tried to prevent child labor. 
C) Both the Whigs and the Democrats tried to favor women empowerment. 
D) Both the Whigs and the Democrats tried to avoid the issue of immigration. 
E) Both the Whigs and the Democrats tried to avoid the issue of slavery.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of the history of American political parties? 

A) Political parties were embraced by America's founding fathers as a necessary element of a functioning democracy. 
B) The role of political parties was clearly defined by America's founders. 
C) Two major political factions were formed in America even before the Constitution was ratified. 
D) Throughout the course of American history, the major political parties have not changed their ideologies. 
E) The Democratic Party was the first political party in America.

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential cause of tipping? 

A) Lack of education 
B) Absence of independent voters 
C) Voter migration between states 
D) Increasing polarization of political parties 
E) Changing political identities of voters

Question 15

After the 2010 elections,many of the new Republican members of Congress were pledged to the Tea Party: 

A) philosophy of liberalism. 
B) plans of breaking political deadlock in Washington. 
C) plans of moving the Republican Party toward more liberal positions. 
D) philosophy of no-compromise conservatism. 
E) plans of reducing the polarization in Congress.

Question 16

Which of the following demonstrates the belief that compromise with the other party in the legislature is a form of betrayal? 

A) The popular support for and relative strength of the political parties often shift. 
B) The independent voters are likely to increase in number over the years. 
C) The realignment process is often replaced by the dealignment process. 
D) The two-party system should be promoted in the United States. 
E) The minority party should not attempt to improve legislation proposed by the majority.

Question 17

Which of the following American political parties picked up the nickname "grand old party?" 

A) The Green Party 
B) The Socialist Party 
C) The Federalist Party 
D) The Democratic Party 
E) The Republican Party

Question 18

Which of the following instances of the 1930s was referred to as the New Deal? 

A) George Washington's farewell address that legalized slavery 
B) Franklin D. Roosevelt's programs to fight the Depression 
C) The splitting of Jefferson's Republicans into two groups 
D) The new Republican coalition cemented by Ronald Reagan 
E) The support gained by the Whigs from bankers, business owners, and many southern planters

Question 19

Beginning with the presidential elections of 2000,the term "red state" has been used to describe a state in the U.S.whose citizens primarily vote for _____.

A) the Democratic Party 
B) the Republican Party 
C) the Green Party 
D) the Libertarian Party 
E) independent candidates

Question 20

The growing detachment of voters from both major political parties is known as _____.

A) realignment 
B) tipping 
C) dealignment 
D) political polarization 
E) segregation

Question 21

The party in the electorate consists: 

A) of all the members of the legislature. 
B) of all the people who describe themselves as Democrats or Republicans. 
C) only of those members who are electoral candidates. 
D) exclusively of party identifiers. 
E) exclusively of party activists.

Question 22

How do political parties balance the competing interests of the members? 

A) By hiring a mediator to resolve a conflict between party members 
B) By appointing a party president who is given the absolute authority to take important decisions 
C) By considering the opinion of the public 
D) By adopting a view broad enough to encompass the opinions of all the party members 
E) By adopting the view of the majority

Question 23

Which of the following functions is performed at the national conventions? 

A) Organizing the grassroots foundation of party supporters 
B) Directing the work of the national committee 
C) Writing a party platform 
D) Helping elect party members to Congress 
E) Recruiting new voters

Question 24

Party identifiers are: 

A) the members of a political party who are identified easily by the people. 
B) those people who associate themselves as volunteers of a political party. 
C) the symbols used by a political party to popularize it among the public. 
D) those people who identify themselves as being members of a political party. 
E) those people who eventually become the candidates for office.

Question 25

The United States has a two-party system.This means that: 

A) only two parties nominate candidates to run in general elections. 
B) the two major parties-the Democrats and the Republicans-dominate national politics. 
C) candidates must belong to one of the two major parties to run in state elections. 
D) all voters identify with either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. 
E) third parties are not allowed to be formed in this country.

Question 26

The _____ consists of the political party leaders who direct party business during the four years between the national party conventions,organize the next national convention,and plan how to support the party's candidate in the next presidential election.

A) special interest group 
B) national party platform 
C) issue advocacy group 
D) national party committee 
E) political action committee

Question 27

Clara and George,two political science graduates,are discussing the political system of the U.S.Clara holds that the two-party system is unlikely to experience any changes in the near future.However,George believes that America will soon follow the multiparty system.Which of the following statements,if true,supports Clara's view? 

A) The number of eligible voters who actually cast their votes has reduced in the last couple of years. 
B) A key characteristic of recent politics has been the extreme partisanship of party activists and members of Congress. 
C) The rules governing campaign financing hinder the major parties as well as the minor parties. 
D) The structure of many U.S. institutions prevents third parties from enjoying electoral success. 
E) The rolling realignment after the elections of 1968 has resulted in parties that are much more heterogeneous.

Question 28

Clara,a resident of Vanadia,supports the UND party.The UND party promotes employment for all,without any racial discrimination.Clara is a firm believer in the party's ideologies and actively promotes its principles.This best reflects _____ for joining a party.

A) motivational incentives 
B) solidarity incentives 
C) material incentives 
D) career incentives 
E) tangible incentives

Question 29

Which of the following statements is true of state organizations? 

A) The powers and duties of state party organizations do not vary from state to state. 
B) The central committee of a state party organization works to raise funds and recruit new party members. 
C) The state chairperson of a state party organization is always selected by the governor of that state. 
D) State party organizations are very closely tied to the party's national structure. 
E) State party organizations are highly centralized.

Question 30

Which of the following statements is true of the functions of political parties? 

A) Political parties act as the major institutions through which the executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other. 
B) Political parties help increase the voting choices for the electorate by widening the pool of candidates contesting in the general elections. 
C) Political parties allow the executive and legislative branches of the government to function independently of each other. 
D) Political parties keep the public from interfering in the affairs of the government. 
E) Political parties work together to fashion legislation that serves only their own interests.

Question 31

Which of the following is a similarity between the national convention and the national committee? 

A) Both are organized every four years at the national level. 
B) Both are elements of the national party organization. 
C) Both include local organizations. 
D) Both direct the business of the national parties during the four years between elections. 
E) Both include state organizations.

Question 32

In the context of how American political parties are actually structured,identify an accurate statement about the structure of American political parties.

A) The party structure is closely knit or highly organized. 
B) The party structure is fragmented and decentralized. 
C) The party structure has a central power and a direct chain of command. 
D) The party structure is fashioned in such a way that a single individual or group can direct all party members. 
E) The party structure is organized in such a way that the all party members are at the same level.

Question 33

Between elections,candidates depend on active party members to: 

A) organize fund-raisers. 
B) answer phones. 
C) conduct door-to-door canvasses. 
D) participate in Web campaigns. 
E) organize speeches and appearances.

Question 34

In the context of the American political parties,the party in government helps to organize the government's agenda by: 

A) coaxing and convincing its own party members in office to vote for its policies. 
B) gaining the financial support of lobbyists. 
C) supporting nonpartisan elections. 
D) electing the delegates to the national party committee. 
E) influencing the national party chairperson to take decisions in its favor.

Question 35

Which of the following statements is true of nonpartisan elections? 

A) Lobbyists sponsor the major parties. 
B) Candidates need to be endorsed by a political party. 
C) Party identification never appears on the ballot. 
D) Party labels appear on the ballot. 
E) More than one candidate from a single party competes in the general elections.

Question 36

A single-member district: 

A) does not allow independent candidates to contest in state elections. 
B) is where the parliament elects one member from each district to their state legislature. 
C) is represented by multiple elected officials from different parties, according to the proportion of the vote each party receives. 
D) is where voters elect one member from their district to the House of Representatives and to their state legislature. 
E) is where the parliament elects one member from each district to the House of Representatives.

Question 37

Larry,an ex-serviceman,has joined the Republican Party because he believes that the party shares his opinion about a strong national defense.Larry has most likely joined the party _____.

A) for solidarity incentives 
B) for material incentives 
C) for personal benefits 
D) to contradict the party ideals 
E) to contest as an independent candidate

Question 38

Adler,a resident of Ohio,has been elected as a delegate to a national party committee.As a member,his responsibilities will most likely include: 

A) drafting legislation to be introduced in the next session of Congress. 
B) taking part in nonpartisan elections. 
C) writing the party platform every two years. 
D) planning how to ensure a party victory in the next presidential election. 
E) providing funds for the national convention.

Question 39

Which of the following statements is true of the procedure of voting for governors in the majority of U.S.states? 

A) It allows more than one candidate to contest from a single party. 
B) It allows the splitting of electoral votes. 
C) It is held at the district level. 
D) It takes place on a statewide, winner-take-all basis. 
E) It makes it easier for third-party candidates to win.

Question 40

The structure of each political party's national organization includes four major elements,_____.

A) the national convention, the national chairperson, the state central committees, and the congressional campaign committees 
B) state party organizations, the state central committees, the national chairperson, and the national committee 
C) the national convention, the national committee, the national chairperson, and the congressional campaign committees 
D) wards, precincts, state central committees, and the national convention 
E) the presidential candidate, the state party chairpersons, the congressional campaign committees, and the delegates

Question 41

The Bull Moose Party is an example of a(n)_________ party.A.ideologicalB.personalityC.conservativeD.issue-oriented

Question 42

After Thomas Jefferson won the presidency and his party won control of Congress,the _________ never returned to power and became the first American political party to go out of existence.A.People's PartyB.WhigsC.FederalistsD.National Republicans

Question 43

What is most likely to happen when the leader around whom a splinter party is formed steps aside? 

A) The party will be renamed. 
B) The party will face dealignment. 
C) The party will have to change its label. 
D) The party will collapse. 
E) The party will become ineligible for elections.

Question 44

The Free Soil Party organized in 1848 to oppose the expansion of slavery into the western territories is an example of a(n)_____ party.

A) ideological 
B) issue-oriented 
C) personality 
D) traditional 
E) splinter

Question 45

Which of the following third parties was founded in 1901 and disbanded in 1972? 

A) The National Union Party 
B) The American Independent Party 
C) The Reform Party 
D) The Populist Party 
E) The Socialist Party

Question 46

The Green Party,an issue-oriented party,did not fade into history because: 

A) it was formed by a leader with a strong personality. 
B) it believes in a particular political doctrine. 
C) it became indifferent to some of the minor social issues. 
D) it broadened its scope beyond just a single area of concern. 
E) it partnered with major parties to resolve social issues.

Question 47

The election of 1932 brought Franklin D.Roosevelt to the presidency and the _________ back to power at the national level.A.DemocratsB.RepublicansC.Reform PartyD.Whigs

Question 48

In the context of politics,_________ is a system of rewarding the party faithful and workers with government jobs or contracts.A.patronageB.party membership grantC.party-aidD.sponsorship

Question 49

The Neutral Party,a major political party nominates Kevin Strauss for the presidential elections.David King,another strong contender for the post,splits from the Neutral Party and forms the Blue Party to promote his candidacy.The Blue Party best exemplifies a(n): 

A) ideological party. 
B) personality party. 
C) issue-oriented party. 
D) single-issue party. 
E) reform party.

Question 50

_________ are party members who help to organize and oversee party functions and planning during and between campaigns,and may even become candidates for office.A.Party activistsB.Party identifiersC.Party supportersD.Lobbyists

Question 51

Considering geography as one of the many factors that determined party identification,the more urban a county,the more likely it was to vote Democratic.

Question 52

People's Choice,a political party,believes that the economy of the U.S.would improve if the market philosophy shifts from that of capitalism to a socialist approach.The goal of production should be to satisfy human needs,rather than to gain profits.The party's primary agenda is to push for this change.People's Choice is a(n)_____ party.

A) principle-oriented 
B) issue-oriented 
C) personality 
D) splinter 
E) ideological

Question 53

A party known as Women-Centric was formed with the vision of highlighting the need for increase in women employment.This initiative was taken when the ratio of men to women employment saw a massive decrease in the country of Kuranata.This form of third party is referred to as: 

A) a traditional party. 
B) a personality party. 
C) a splinter party. 
D) an ideological party. 
E) an issue-oriented party.

Question 54

Liason,a third party,has split the vote in a recent state election.As a result,the major party,which was supposed to win,loses and the other major party wins.In this scenario,Liason plays the _____ role.

A) "spoiler" 
B) "progressive" 
C) "reformist" 
D) "regressive" 
E) "ideological"

Question 55

Splinter parties that develop out of a split within a major party are also known as _____ parties.

A) ideological 
B) personality 
C) conservative 
D) reformed 
E) issue-oriented

Question 56

The party in government include several levels of people who maintain a political party's strength between elections,make its rules,raise money,organize conventions,help with elections,and recruit candidates.

Question 57

Jefferson's Republicans is the party that was later renamed as the Republican Party.

Question 58

Why are third parties referred to as the unsung heroes of American politics? 

A) They eliminate the difference between the major and minor parties. 
B) They help the major parties win elections by splitting their votes. 
C) They challenge the two-party system in America. 
D) They provide a major economic benefit to the country. 
E) They bring new issues to the forefront of public debate.

Question 59

In practice,all major American political parties are closely knit,organized structures where the chairperson of the party dictates how the organization would be run.

Question 60

Voter turnout for primary elections is higher than it is for general elections.

Question 61

In the context of elections since 2010,discuss how Republicans have done much better in midterm elections than in presidential ones.

Question 62

Briefly explain the four major elements of the national party organization.

Question 63

Briefly explain the tasks involved in running campaigns.

Question 64

Discuss why people join political parties and explain the reasons for a person choosing one party over another.

Question 65

Briefly explain the reasons why the third parties have found it extremely difficult to compete with the major parties for votes.