American Government Chapter 9, Political Parties

The Mugwumps were a faction of the Republican party. They were a group of reform-minded Republicans who broke away from their party in the late 19th century. The Mugwumps were known for their opposition to political corruption and their support for civil service reform. They were often critical of their own party and were willing to support Democratic candidates if they believed they were more aligned with their reformist ideals. The term "Mugwump" became synonymous with independent or nonpartisan political behavior.

Party realignment occurs when there is a shift in voter support from one party to another. This means that a significant number of voters change their allegiance and start supporting a different political party. This shift can be caused by various factors such as changes in political ideologies, major events or crises, or the emergence of new political issues. Party realignment can have a significant impact on the political landscape and can lead to long-term changes in the balance of power between political parties.

Political parties do not have the authority or responsibility to determine qualifications for office holders. This task is typically carried out by government bodies such as election commissions or constitutional requirements. Political parties primarily focus on selecting candidates for office, informing voters about issues, running political campaigns, and raising money for candidates.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the parties underwent changes that led to the Democrats becoming more factionalized, meaning that different groups within the party became more distinct and had their own agendas and priorities. On the other hand, the Republican Party became more bureaucratized, indicating that it became more organized and structured, with a greater emphasis on rules and procedures. This suggests that the Democrats became more fragmented and divided, while the Republicans became more centralized and focused on administrative processes.

A political machine is a party organization that recruits its members by offering tangible incentives. This means that they motivate individuals to join their organization by providing them with material benefits or rewards. These incentives could include things like jobs, favors, money, or other resources that can be directly experienced or obtained. By offering tangible incentives, political machines are able to attract and retain members who are motivated by personal gain or self-interest. This strategy helps them build a strong and loyal support base, which is essential for their political success.

The correct answer is c. at the national convention by the platform committee. The party platform is developed at the national convention by the platform committee. This committee is responsible for drafting and finalizing the party's official stance on various political issues. The platform committee consists of representatives from different factions within the party and they work together to create a document that reflects the party's values, goals, and policy positions. This process allows for input and debate from party members and ensures that the platform represents the collective voice of the party.

The correct answer is "the South is becoming more supportive of Republicans." This is evident from the statement that Reagan's election in 1980 and 1984 signaled a realignment, which implies a shift in support towards Republicans. Additionally, the idea of a critical election is mentioned, suggesting a significant change in party support. Since the other options do not align with these indicators, the answer "the South is becoming more supportive of Republicans" is the most logical choice.

The correct answer is a. the plurality system. In the United States, most elections follow the plurality system, which means that the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority or not. This system is also known as the "first-past-the-post" system. It is commonly used in single-member district elections, such as those for the President, members of Congress, and state governors. In this system, voters choose one candidate, and the candidate with the highest number of votes, even if it is not a majority, is declared the winner.

The correct answer, e. b and c, states that one party enjoys an advantage in perhaps two-thirds of congressional districts and also enjoys a substantial advantage in at least half of the states. This implies that party competition in the United States is not evenly balanced and that one party has a significant advantage in terms of representation at both the state and congressional district levels.

The Free Soil and Know-Nothing parties were both focused on a single issue. The Free Soil Party was primarily concerned with opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories, while the Know-Nothing Party was focused on anti-immigrant sentiment. These parties did not have a broad ideological platform or a range of policy positions, but rather centered their campaigns around a specific issue. Therefore, they can be classified as one-issue parties.

The correct answer is Anti-Masonic. In 1831, the Anti-Masonic party held the first American party convention. The Anti-Masonic party was formed in opposition to the secretive and allegedly corrupt practices of the Freemasons. They held their convention in Philadelphia, where they nominated William Wirt as their presidential candidate. This convention marked a significant moment in American political history as it was the first time a political party held a national convention to nominate a candidate for president.

Successful third parties often emerge when a group of individuals within one of the two major parties become dissatisfied with the party's direction or policies and decide to form their own party. By breaking off from one of the major parties, these third parties are able to present alternative options to voters and offer a different perspective on important issues. This breakaway allows them to attract supporters who may feel disillusioned with the major parties and are looking for alternative choices.

Thomas Jefferson considered his Republican party to be a temporary arrangement because he believed that political parties were inherently divisive and would eventually lead to the downfall of democracy. He saw them as a necessary evil to counterbalance the Federalist party and protect the principles of republicanism. Jefferson envisioned a society where political parties would eventually dissolve, allowing for a more unified and harmonious government. Therefore, he viewed his own party as a temporary solution to the political challenges of the time.

The question asks about the reasons for the weakening of American political parties. However, none of the options provided in the question accurately explain the reasons for this weakening. Therefore, the correct answer is "none of the above" as none of the options provided are correct explanations for the weakening of American political parties.

Political parties are argued to be declining in importance because of candidate-run campaigns and an increase in ticket splitting. Candidate-run campaigns suggest that individual candidates are becoming more influential and are able to run successful campaigns without relying heavily on party support. This can weaken the influence and relevance of political parties. The increase in ticket splitting, where voters choose candidates from different parties for different positions, also suggests a decline in party loyalty and the diminishing importance of parties in shaping voter behavior.