Government in America 2014 Elections And Updates Edition 16th Ed By Edwards -Test Bank

Government in America 2014 Elections And Updates Edition 16th Ed By Edwards -Test Bank

8

Political Parties

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. A core function of political parties is __________. a. dividing the electorate b. narrowing voter choice c. nominating candidates d. reducing accountability mechanisms Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.1 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 246 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 2. Which statement best describes the functioning of party machines in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? a. Parties provided policy support to rural electorates in exchange for votes. b. Parties provided jobs to rural electorates in exchange for votes. c. Parties provided patronage jobs to loyal supporters in urban areas. d. Parties provided cash handouts to rural electorates in exchange for jobs. Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.2 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 253 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 3. What best explains the demise of party machines? a. congressional reforms that prevented private party meetings in “smoke-filled rooms” b. Keynesian economic reforms that increased individual wealth c. judicial reforms that ended the “pay to play” system of assigning public defenders d. progressive reforms that instituted a merit-based hiring system Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.3 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 253 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 4. One of the consequences of two-party government is __________. a. greater fluidity of representation b. the increased likelihood of coalition government c. the increased likelihood of proportional representation d. the moderation of political conflict Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.4 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 5. What important role do third parties play in American democracy? a. They bring new voters into the electorate. b. They frequently win elections in crucial swing states. c. They simplify citizens’ choices on Election Day. d. They draft most legislation that is eventually enacted by one of the major parties. Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.5 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 263 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 6. The __________ is the formal structure of the political party that sets rules for party operations, pursues electoral victories, and keeps the party running between elections. a. party as an organization b. party as provider c. party in the electorate d. party in government Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.6 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 246 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 7. The responsible party model implies that parties should __________. a. adhere to the party platform b. make the best decisions for the country despite what public opinion suggests c. use more patronage d. be more accountable to interest group demands Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.7 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 265 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 8. Party realignments are initiated by __________. a. caucuses b. censures c. critical elections d. unsuccessful election bids Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.8 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 9. President Obama has encountered resistance to his policies from the congressional caucus known as the __________, which favors a more conservative approach to economic policy than do traditional Democrats. a. Congressional Black Caucus b. Congressional Progressive Caucus c. Blue Dog Democrats d. Yellow Dog Democrats Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.9 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 266 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 10. One of the important purposes of the “Contract with America” was to __________. a. decrease split-ticket voting b. increase confidence in the military c. make politics user friendly for voters d. reduce corruption in Congress Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.0.10 Topic: Introduction Learning Objective: Introduction Page Reference: 244 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 11. According to your text, which of the following third-party candidates is correctly matched with his key issue in his presidential run? a. George Wallace and a more compassionate criminal justice system b. Ralph Nader and tax reduction c. Ross Perot and the federal deficit d. Strom Thurmond and a stronger national government Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.11 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 12. The __________ is the official statement of a political party’s policy alternatives. a. articles of incorporation b. party constitution c. platform d. gavel Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.12 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 247 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 13. Who are most likely to engage in ticket splitting? a. nonvoters b. Democrats c. Independents d. Republicans Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.2.13 Topic: The Party in the Electorate Learning Objective: LO 8.2: Determine the significance of party identification in America today. Page Reference: 251 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 14. Which of these is an electoral “earthquake” where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party may be displaced by the minority party? a. a critical election b. a midterm election c. a coalition election d. a seismological election Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.14 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 15. The New Deal coalition fell apart after nearly four decades of political control with the movement of __________ from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. a. urbanites b. Catholics and Jews c. Asians and Hispanics d. Southern conservatives Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.15 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 261 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 16. Which of the following is a potential danger associated with open primaries? a. The other party can “raid” the primary to vote for the least viable candidate. b. Open primaries may result in the election of more extreme candidates. c. The presence of too many candidates on the ballot can confuse voters. d. Open primaries give too much power to those who reside outside of the district. Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.16 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 254 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 17. Part of Anthony Downs’s rational-choice model is that __________. a. voters want to maximize the chance that their preferred policies will be adopted by government b. logic and reason always prevail in the American electorate c. party identity will lose its importance over the next 100 years d. voters are acting rationally when they vote against their self interest Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.17 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 248 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 18. How is the national chair of the president’s party selected? a. elected in the primary during midterm election years b. selected by the president and routinely ratified by the national committee c. selected by the governors belonging to the president’s party d. elected by the president’s party’s congressional delegation Answer: b Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.18 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 255 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 19. What is the party in the electorate? a. party officers who seek to educate the public on key party stances b. public officials who are registered with a political party c. voters active in the business of the party d. all citizens who claim to be a member of a political party Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.19 Topic: The Meaning of Party; The Party in the Electorate Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy; LO 8.2: Determine the significance of party identification in America today. Page Reference: 246 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 20. Critics of the responsible party model claim that __________. a. it has contributed to the vilification of the word compromise b. it causes unneeded tension between Democrats and Republicans c. it is unwise because it is not subject to constitutional constraints d. it is too simple for the complexity and diversity of American society Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.20 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 267 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 21. When was the last party realignment? a. 1860 b. 1894 c. 1932 d. 1968 Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.21 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 262 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Moderate 22. The years 1860–1928 saw the dominance of which party? a. Democratic-Republicans b. Democrats c. Federalists d. Republicans Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.22 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 23. Today’s youngest voters are most likely to identify as __________. a. partisans b. Democrats c. Independents d. Republicans Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.2.23 Topic: The Party in the Electorate Learning Objective: LO 8.2: Determine the significance of party identification in America today. Page Reference: 252 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 24. How are critical elections and party realignments interrelated? a. A party realignment is a larger version of a critical election. b. A party realignment is a smaller version of a critical election. c. A party realignment occurs before one or more critical elections and may be characterized by gradual or dramatic change. d. A party realignment occurs as a result of one or more critical elections and may be associated with a national crisis. Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.24 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 25. The national __________ is the supreme power of the national party organization. a. assembly b. convention c. delegation d. legislature Answer: b Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.25 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 255 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 26. Which president forged the New Deal coalition? a. Lyndon Johnson b. William McKinley c. Franklin Roosevelt d. Harry Truman Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.26 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 27. Richard Nixon’s __________ attempted to bring conservatives over to the Republican Party in what was a Democratic stronghold at the time. a. Southern strategy b. Western strategy c. suburban strategy d. urban strategy Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.27 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 261 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 28. What does Ralph Nader’s 2000 presidential election bid illustrate regarding the role of third parties? a. third parties’ ineffective organization b. third parties’ absence of media attention c. third parties’ poor candidate choices d. third parties’ potential to affect the outcome of the election Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.28 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 29. A key component of Anthony Downs’s rational-choice model is that __________. a. voters want to maximize the country’s well-being b. voters want to maximize party-line victories c. parties want to have meaningful policy debates d. parties want to win office Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.29 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 248 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 30. Who runs the national party organizations between conventions? a. the parties in the electorate b. the state party organizations c. the party’s congressional caucus d. the party’s national committee Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.30 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 255 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 31. Party dealignment is associated with __________. a. an increase in labor unions b. increasingly politicized evangelical congregations c. an increase in divided government d. a rising number of Democrats Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.31 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 262 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 32. Advocates of the responsible party model believe parties should craft a platform, candidates should run on that platform, and the majority party should __________. a. implement it b. refine it according to officeholders’ preferences c. set it aside and craft a new platform that it will attempt to enact d. do whatever is necessary to stay in the majority Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.32 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 265 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 33. The shift in political coalitions that stemmed from the 1896 presidential election resulted in __________. a. a critical election b. a party dealignment c. a party realignment d. the New Deal coalition Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.33 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 34. The loyal opposition in the era of Democratic President Andrew Jackson was __________. a. Franklin Roosevelt b. Herbert Hoover c. the Whig Party d. the progressive movement Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.34 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 35. The late 1960s marked the start of __________. a. dealignment b. the New Deal coalition c. the era of good feelings d. the third-party era Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.35 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 262 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 36. When can a party change its platform? a. after the census b. at the start of each fiscal year c. during its national party convention d. every two years Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.36 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 255 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 37. A critical election is typically associated with __________. a. dealignment b. party realignment c. unpopular presidents d. party stability Answer: b Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.37 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Moderate 38. Of the following, who is most likely to split their ticket? a. younger voters b. older voter c. Democrats d. Republicans Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.2.38 Topic: The Party in the Electorate Learning Objective: LO 8.2: Determine the significance of party identification in America today. Page Reference: 252 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 39. What legislation would most likely be undesirable to a Blue Dog Democrat? a. decreased defense spending b. ending Saturday mail delivery c. legalization of gay marriage d. nationalized public health care Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.39 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 266 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 40. According to the Downs model, candidates are likely to place themselves __________. a. at the center b. near the center c. somewhat close to the extremes d. as far to the left or right as possible Answer: b Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.40 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 248 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 41. What is a disadvantage of divided government? a. It acts as a check and balance across institutions. b. It often expands the scope of government. c. It does not allow for clear accountability on policy. d. It often stunts economic growth. Answer: c Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.41 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 262 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 42. European democracies have more parties in positions of political power than does the United States because of their use of __________. a. party platforms b. winner-take-all systems c. critical elections d. proportional representation Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.42 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 43. Which demographic group was part of the New Deal coalition? a. African Americans b. rural voters c. the wealthy d. Northeasterners Answer: a Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.43 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 260 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 44. Why are coalition governments so prevalent in parliamentary systems? a. Parliamentary systems are nonpartisan, but coalition governments can often act much like parties. b. The winner-take-all system that is used in parliamentary systems encourages coalition governments. c. Coalition governments discourage third parties. d. In a multiparty system, single parties may not win a majority of the seats. Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.44 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 45. Which has partly filled the void left by the decline of the urban party machine? a. labor unions b. corporations c. family farmers and small business owners d. county parties Answer: d Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.45 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 253 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult  True-False Questions 46. Party organizations generally favor closed primaries. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.46 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 254 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 47. Parties and presidents keep more promises than they break. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.4.47 Topic: The Party in Government: Promises and Policy Learning Objective: LO 8.4: Evaluate how well political parties generally do in carrying out their promises. Page Reference: 256 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 48. Federal law requires the same organizational and operational structures for all state party systems. Answer: FALSE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.48 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 252 – 253 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 49. The New Deal was Harry Truman’s policy program for preventing and overcoming poverty. Answer: FALSE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.49 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 50. Progressive reformers argued in favor of primary elections. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.50 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 247 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 51. The Federalist Party was America’s first major political party but it was also the shortest-lived major political party in U.S. history. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.51 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 52. Minor parties have played a more important role in the United States than in virtually any other democracy. Answer: FALSE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.52 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 53. Third parties can act as “safety valves” for public anger and disappointment. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.53 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 263 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 54. In the machine politics era, patronage jobs were given out to buy votes and to enrich party bosses. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.54 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 253 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 55. According to the responsible party model, political parties should explain to voters what they intend to do and, once elected, follow through on those promises. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.55 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 265 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 56. Party realignments occur every four years. Answer: FALSE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.56 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 57. Members of Congress often vote as their district prefers rather than as their party prefers. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.57 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 266 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Moderate 58. The displacement of the majority party by the minority party is called a party coalition. Answer: FALSE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.58 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 59. The Founders were wary of having any political parties at all. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.59 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 265 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 60. Some political scientists believe that the American party system is in a period of dealignment, in which the two major parties are losing power. Answer: TRUE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.60 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 262 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Moderate 61. The Downs model suggests that rational parties position themselves as close to the center as possible. Answer: FALSE Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.61 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 248 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate  Fill-in-the-Blank Questions 62. Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley ruled one of the most powerful political __________ in U.S. history. Answer: machines Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.62 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 253 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 63. The __________ is the site for the writing of the party platform every four years. Answer: national convention Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.63 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 255 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Easy 64. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s __________ ushered in a 40-year period of Democratic Party dominance. Answer: New Deal Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.64 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 260 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Moderate 65. Blue Dog Democrats are usually found in the __________ region of the United States. Answer: southern Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.65 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 266 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Difficulty Level: Moderate 66. The __________ includes all those who consider themselves to be members of a political party. Answer: party in the electorate Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.2.66 Topic: The Party in the Electorate Learning Objective: LO 8.2: Determine the significance of party identification in America today. Page Reference: 246 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 67. The __________ model suggests the majority party must accept responsibility for the performance of the government. Answer: responsible party Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.67 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 265 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 68. The New Deal coalition signaled a definitive period of electoral __________ in which power transfers from one party to another. Answer: realignment Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.68 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Moderate 69. The __________ are the best written source for what the parties believe in, even though they are seldom read. Answer: party platforms Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.69 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 257 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate  Short Answer Questions 70. Explain the significance of critical elections to party realignment. Provide an example of a critical election. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Describe a critical election as a turning point, an election that signals a major switch in party coalitions, usually during periods of historic change in the economy and society. 2. Explain that a critical election ushers in a long-term party realignment, which is when one party takes over from another during a period when partisan preferences shift. 3. Provide an example of a critical election. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.70 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 256 – 261 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 71. What happens at the national party conventions? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Explain that the delegates vote for their party’s presidential nominee and adopt the party platform. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.3.71 Topic: The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Learning Objective: LO 8.3: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States. Page Reference: 255 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 72. Describe the New Deal coalition and the groups that formed the coalition. Discuss how the New Deal coalition came to an end. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Describe how Franklin D. Roosevelt led a coalition capturing a wide demographic swath, which was maintained for nearly four decades. 2. Describe the coalition as urban dwellers, labor unions, Catholics, Jews, the poor, Southerners, and African Americans. 3. Discuss the gradual dealignment that started in 1968 and Richard Nixon’s “Southern strategy.” Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.72 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 – 261 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 73. What is party image? How does it influence elections? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Define party image as the voter’s perception of what the Republicans or Democrats stand for, such as conservatism or liberalism. 2. Make the connection between party image and party identification. 3. Explain how party image affects vote choice. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.2.73 Topic: The Party in the Electorate Learning Objective: LO 8.2: Determine the significance of party identification in America today. Page Reference: 250 – 252 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 74. Explain how third parties affect the results of elections in winner-take-all systems. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Define the U.S. winner-take-all electoral system as an electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to candidates who come in first in their constituencies. 2. Explain that third-party candidates can siphon off votes from major-party candidates and thereby affect election outcomes. 3. Mention that Ralph Nader and the Green Party may have caused Al Gore to lose the presidency in the election of 2000. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.74 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 263 – 264 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 75. Explain the concept of political parties as “three-headed political giants.” Answer: An ideal response will: 1. List and define the three components of parties: party in the electorate, party as an organization, and party in government. 2. Explain the metaphor of the party as a giant. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.75 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 246 – 247 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 76. Define political realignment and describe it using one particular period to illustrate your response. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Define realignment as a rare event in American politics that is often associated with a major national crisis. Critical elections, economic crises, or wars may be key precipitators. 2. Select one of the party eras in American history and discuss the realignments that brought about the new system and caused the old system’s demise. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.76 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 258 – 261 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Moderate 77. Which political era saw the longest period of Republican domination? Explain the origin and demise of party domination during this period. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Describe the realignment period that began between 1856 and 1860 with the Republican Party bringing together anti-slavery coalitions resulting in the Civil War and lasting through two coalitions. 2. Include an explanation of the second Republican coalition that began in 1896, starting another Republican-dominated period that lasted until the Great Depression. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.77 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 259 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 78. Discuss the Southern realignment, divided government, and dealignment in the party system. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Indicate how Southern conservatives, starting with Nixon’s “Southern strategy,” have abandoned their Democratic Party affiliation and become Republicans. 2. Note the presence of divided government. 3. Indicate that dealignment is a period when no party has clear domination over the other. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.78 Topic: Party Eras in American History Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history. Page Reference: 261 – 262 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 79. What is the responsible party model? Should the United States adopt it? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Explain how the responsible party model states that parties must present distinct, comprehensive programs for governing the nation. 2. Explain how each party’s candidates must be committed to its program and have the internal cohesion and discipline to carry out its program. 3. Explain that the majority party must implement its programs, and the minority party must state what it would do if it were in power. 4. Explain that the majority party must accept responsibility for the performance of the government. 5. Evaluate whether the United States would be better off if it used a responsible party model. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.7.79 Topic: Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 265 – 268 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 80. Briefly differentiate between coalition building in the United States and in Europe. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Discuss the institutional structure of the U.S. plurality system, which effectively limits the ability of third parties to partake in government. 2. Contrast the American winner-take-all model with the majority of European countries, which use a proportional representation system and coalition governments including minority parties. 3. State that proportional representation gives greater voice to minorities at the cost of extreme third parties having greater influence. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.80 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 264 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Moderate  Essay Questions 81. What are the three major types of third parties? Should third parties play a greater role in the electoral process? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Discuss splinter parties, or offshoots of a major party (e.g., Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressives in 1912, Strom Thurmond’s States’ Righters in 1948, and George Wallace’s American Independents in 1968), which claim that they did not get fair hearings from Republicans or Democrats. 2. Discuss third parties that are built around a specific cause. 3. Describe third parties that have formed around popular individuals with presidential aspirations (e.g., John Anderson in 1980 and Ross Perot in 1992 and 1996). 4. Assess whether third parties should play a larger role in electoral politics in the United States. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.6.81 Topic: Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Learning Objective: LO 8.6: Assess the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations. Page Reference: 263 – 264 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Difficulty Level: Moderate 82. Give an overview of the key eras of political party development in the United States. Be certain to demonstrate where realignments have occurred and the reasons why. Evaluate in detail what dealignment entails, and assess whether it has occurred. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Provide an outline of the various phases of political party development. 2. Explain how the Founders designed a system that has greatly restrained the political role of parties to this day. 3. Describe the various coalition changes and the events that precipitated each. 4. Evaluate dealignment following the Nixon administration. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.5.82 Topic: Party Eras in American History; Understanding Political Parties Learning Objective: LO 8.5: Differentiate the various party eras in American history; LO 8.7: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government. Page Reference: 258 – 262, 265 – 268 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Difficulty Level: Difficult 83. Provide a detailed analysis of Anthony Downs’s rational-choice model. What are its core propositions? What does it say about voter behavior? How do political parties attract the most votes? Do you feel Down’s theory is entirely valid? Why or why not? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Explain Downs’s rational-choice model as an attempt to portray political processes and outcomes as the consequences of purposeful behavior. The model stipulates that voters want to maximize the chance that policies they favor will be adopted by government, and that parties want to win office. Thus, in order to win office, the wise party selects policies that are widely favored. 2. Examine the idea that Americans are generally moderate and that parties must reflect this while simultaneously differentiating themselves from one another. Successful parties rarely stray far from the midpoint of public opinion. 3. Note that in a democracy, policy positions are the differentiating features of parties. Therefore, when one party better assesses the policy preferences of a majority of voters, it is more likely to succeed in getting its candidates elected. 4. Question or support the validity of Downs’s theory, using examples to demonstrate its efficacy or deficiency in a persuasive format. Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q8.1.83 Topic: The Meaning of Party Learning Objective: LO 8.1: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. Page Reference: 248 – 250 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult