American Politics Today Essentials 4th

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Chapter 7: Political Parties

TRUE/FALSE

1. A party’s national organization is run by its elected leaders in the House of Representatives.

ANS: F DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

2. The Speaker of the House, John Boehner, is able to command what Tea Party Caucus members do in
Congress because he is the highest-ranking Republican leader.

ANS: F DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

3. The Republican Party is considered a minor political party in the United States.

ANS: F DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

4. During the period of the first party system, the two major American political parties operated primarily
as parties in government.

ANS: T DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

5. The national Democratic Party, under the leadership of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, is
credited for creating the spoils system.

ANS: T DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

6. The spoils system allowed local party organizations to operate as machines with considerable power
over their members.

ANS: T DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

7. While American political parties have brand names that give people easy ways to identify differences
between candidates, some candidates and elected officials in the same party will often have different
issue positions.

ANS: T DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding
 8. Civil service legislation, enacted in the 1890s, contributed to the decline of political machines.

ANS: T DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

9. An example of the independence between the party in government and the party organization is that
most American politicians go through their entire political careers without holding an official position
in their party organization.

ANS: T DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

10. The Democratic Party is an example of a 527 organization.

ANS: F DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

11. National party organizations can require a state organization to comply with their requests in order for
the state party to keep its affiliation.

ANS: F DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

12. The increase in the percentage of self-identified Independents led some scholars to conclude that
people regarded parties as irrelevant to their vote decision, which is an example of a realignment.

ANS: F DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. During the third and fourth party systems the Republican Party had significant strength in the _____,
while the Democratic Party had significant strength in the _____.
a. Northeast; Midwest d. Northeast; South
b. South; Northeast e. Midwest; Northeast
c. Midwest; South
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

2. Who is in charge of an American political party?

a. the national party chairperson
b. the Speaker of the House
c. the president of the United States
d. the chief justice of the Supreme Court
e. No single person is in charge of the party.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
 OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

3. The leaders and workers of a party at the national, state, and local levels are known as:
a. the party caucus. d. the party in the electorate.
b. the party in government. e. the parties in service.
c. the party organization.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

4. The party in government comprises:

a. members of the party with the most elected officials in Congress.
b. the heads of the major national party organizations, such as the national committee and the
congressional campaign committees.
c. voters who identify with a party.
d. those politicians who have been elected into office under a party label.
e. elected officials who belong to the party that controls the executive branch.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

5. To be a part of the party in the electorate, one must:

a. be a citizen who identifies with a political party.
b. be a dues-paying member of a political party.
c. be an election volunteer for a political party.
d. be a citizen who votes for the same party in every election.
e. be a citizen who is registered to vote and has assisted a political party.
ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

6. What is a party system?

a. the organization of the party in the electorate, party in government, and party organization
b. a term used to describe different periods of time in which parties and issues are stable
c. the method of selecting nominees for offices through political parties
d. a set of objectives outlining the party’s issue positions and priorities
e. the organizational system used by elected officials in the House and Senate
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

7. Which parties were part of the first party system?

a. Democratic-Republicans and Federalists d. Democrats and Republicans
b. Republicans and Whigs e. Federalists and Whigs
c. Hamiltonians and Whigs
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering
 8. The Democrats and the Whigs competed in which party system?
a. first d. fourth
b. second e. fifth
c. third
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

9. Which party most strongly supported a national bank?

a. Federalist Party d. Republican Party
b. Democratic-Republican Party e. Democratic Party
c. Know-Nothing Party
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

10. What marked the Era of Good Feelings?

a. George Washington served as president.
b. There were no political parties.
c. There was only one political party.
d. U.S. senators were elected rather than appointed to the U.S. Senate.
e. Political machines were powerful and served the public.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

11. What was significant about the disintegration of the Federalist Party?
a. It demonstrated that southern parties could not last in the United States.
b. It was the last “responsible” party in the nation’s history.
c. It led to the Era of Good Feelings and eventually to the second party system.
d. It led to the third party system and eventually to the onset of the Civil War.
e. It led to the rise of the modern-day Republican Party.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

12. You spend the year working on a candidate’s presidential campaign. After your candidate wins, you
are appointed to a federal job. This is an example of what?
a. the spoils system d. the party in government
b. the party principle e. party coalitions
c. the civil service system
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

13. Rewarding party supporters with benefits, like government jobs, is known as:
a. the civil service system. d. the party in government.
b. the spoils system. e. political horse trading.
c. the party principle.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
 OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

14. Andrew Jackson was important to the development of American political parties because:
a. He was the innovator of conditional party government.
b. He was the first man to run for president under a party label.
c. He pioneered the use of registering voters with a political party.
d. He founded the modern-day Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign
Committee (DSCC).
e. He helped build Democratic Party organizations at the state and local levels, which helped
to mobilize citizens and bind them to the Democratic Party.
ANS: E DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

15. What is the party principle?

a. the identification of elected officials and citizens with different political parties
b. groups or individuals who associate with a political party
c. the idea that parties are organizations distinct from its elected officials
d. those politicians who are elected to office under a common party label
e. the proposition that parties always put their self-interest ahead of the public good
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

16. The Republican Party formed when which major political party dissolved?
a. Democrats d. Libertarians
b. Federalists e. Antifederalists
c. Whigs
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

17. What was a reason for the rise of the Republican Party?
a. The issue of slavery split the second party system.
b. Southerners were demanding a more conservative party in American politics.
c. Business leaders wanted a party to represent their interests.
d. Some political leaders opposed progressive reforms that had recently become law.
e. The Whigs were corrupt and were blamed by the public for the spoils system.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

18. Which issue split the major parties in the third, fourth, and fifth party systems and still remains
relevant today?
a. whether we should encourage industrialization
b. the appropriate tariff rate
c. slavery
d. the proper size and role of the federal government
e. where the national capital should be located
 ANS: D DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

19. The groups that identify with a party are said to make up its:
a. coalition. d. national committee.
b. electorate. e. conference.
c. caucus.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

20. In the 1990s, the Republican Party primarily drew support from evangelical voters, white southerners,
and the wealthy. This is an example of a party:
a. electorate. d. coalition.
b. caucus. e. conference.
c. national committee.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

21. Which important political event led to the New Deal Coalition?
a. the election of Theodore Roosevelt as president
b. World War I
c. the Great Depression
d. the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor
e. the Voting Rights Act
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

22. All of the following groups were a part of the New Deal Coalition EXCEPT:
a. African Americans. d. white southerners.
b. union members. e. Wall Street bankers.
c. Catholics.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

23. What factor contributed to the transition from the fifth to the sixth party system?
a. the election of Franklin Roosevelt as president
b. Democratic candidates and party leaders, particularly outside the South, came out against
the “separate but equal” system of racial discrimination.
c. the end of World War II
d. Party machines, run by Democrats in urban areas, could no longer control the flow of
political information with the rise of television.
e. the election of Ronald Reagan as president
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding
24. George Wallace and Ross Perot are examples of:
a. important Republican leaders.
b. third-party candidates who attracted significant numbers of votes.
c. congressional reformers who pushed for stronger parties.
d. former presidents who were strong party leaders.
e. national committee chairpeople.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

25. America’s electoral rules are most likely to result in how many major parties?
a. one d. four
b. two e. more than four
c. three
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

26. Slavery in the second party system was an example of a(n):

a. framing issue. d. cross-cutting issue.
b. valence issue. e. identified issue.
c. dealigning issue.
ANS: D DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

27. Which of the following terms describes a situation in which the issues that divide the political parties
change in a way that cuts across existing political coalitions?
a. polarization d. party evolution
b. realignment e. divided government
c. dealignment
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Remembering

28. Which of the following is an example of an issue or event that caused a realignment?
a. the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865
b. the end of World War I and the rise of fascism in Europe
c. civil rights in the 1960s
d. the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s
e. civil unions and gay marriage in 2004
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Applying

29. An issue that splits the political party coalitions is known as:
a. a cross-cutting issue. d. a dealigning issue.
b. a framing issue. e. a salient issue.
c. a valence issue.
 ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

30. How has the political landscape of the South changed in the last 50 years?
a. There has not been much partisan change in the South.
b. The South has gone from being a toss-up to being solidly Democratic.
c. The South has gone from being a toss-up to being solidly Republican.
d. The South has gone from being solidly Republican to solidly Democratic.
e. The South has gone from being solidly Democratic to solidly Republican.
ANS: E DIF: Difficult REF: Parties and Party Systems
OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Understanding

31. The principal body in each party organization is the ________ , which consists of representatives from
________.
a. party in the electorate; the U.S. Congress
b. party in government; the parties’ presidential nominating conventions
c. leadership caucus; various interest groups
d. national committee; state party organizations
e. national committee; the parties’ presidential nominating conventions
ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

32. Groups such as the Young Democrats and Young Republicans:

a. are 527s that exist to raise funds for elections.
b. are only active at the local level.
c. are made up of politicians elected under the party’s label.
d. primarily exist to help parties pass legislation.
e. work to support party candidates in elections.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

33. A 527 organization:

a. is an organization that seeks to gain government contracts.
b. typically will coordinate electoral strategy with candidates and party leaders to develop a
consistent and unified campaign message.
c. is illegal in the United States.
d. contributes a significant amount of money to campaigns but must limit contributions and
spending to comply with federal campaign finance laws.
e. seeks to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not
directly endorse or oppose a candidate.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

34. Based on how scholars describe a party organization, the Tea Party closely resembles:
a. a major political party like the Democratic and Republican parties.
b. a minor political party like the Green or Libertarian parties.
 c. organizations loosely affiliated with a party, such as 527 organizations.
d. a party in government.
e. an elite-driven party like the Federalists.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

35. The fact that parties have brand names means:

a. the only thing distinguishing them is reputation.
b. their names evoke certain positions or issues.
c. that citizens have a long-standing record of support for a party.
d. that the party leaders can make voters, officials, and organizations do what they want to
maintain the reputation of the brand name.
e. that citizens are likely to grow tired of their party at some point, as they often do with
brand-name products, and will shop for a new party.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

36. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC):
a. can both force state and local parties to share their positions on issues.
b. are both unable to force state and local parties to share their positions on issues.
c. operate differently; the DNC can force state and local parties to share its positions on
issues, whereas the RNC cannot.
d. operate differently; the RNC can force state and local parties to share its positions on
issues, whereas the DNC cannot.
e. almost never have contact with their state and local parties because of federal campaign
finance laws.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

37. Who sets policy for the DNC and RNC?

a. the leading member of the party in the House
b. the chairman or chairwoman of the national committee
c. members from the 50 states
d. voters in primaries and caucuses
e. the president or the shadow president, depending on whether the party is in power or not
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

38. Elected officials holding national, state, and local office make up the:
a. national committee. d. party in the electorate.
b. party organization. e. party in power.
c. party in government.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
39. Republican members of the House of Representatives and Senate are examples of the Republican:
a. party in government. d. national committee.
b. party organization. e. realigning coalition.
c. party in the electorate.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

40. How has the Tea Party Caucus changed in recent congressional sessions?
a. It has nearly disappeared as a force in Congress.
b. It has been a major force in creating new policy proposals for Congress to consider.
c. It has been supportive of Republican leadership’s attempts to pass various legislative
priorities.
d. It has been more defined by their opposition to existing policy than a coherent agenda of
policy proposals.
e. It has had more power in the courts than in Congress.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

41. Which party’s members do not always agree on all the issues?
a. Only Democrats have issues on which they do not agree.
b. Only Republicans have issues on which they do not agree.
c. Both parties have issues on which their members do not agree.
d. Neither party has issues on which their members cannot agree.
e. We do not have data on whether party members agree with each other on issues.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

42. The group of Democratic legislators in the U.S. House is called a ________ , while the Republicans
call their group a ________.
a. committee; conference d. caucus; conference
b. conference; committee e. committee; caucus
c. conference; caucus
ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

43. A caucus (political) or conference is an organization:

a. within government that meets to discuss party positions on issues.
b. that primarily exists to raise money for party candidates.
c. that is designed to represent constituency groups within the party.
d. that consists of representatives from each state party organization.
e. that once assisted the party machines with fund-raising but now plays almost no role in
party politics.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering
44. All of the following are responsibilities of the party caucus or conference EXCEPT:
a. deciding legislative committee assignments.
b. deciding leadership positions on committees.
c. deciding the party’s national presidential platform.
d. deciding leadership positions within the caucus or conference.
e. choosing leaders to serve as spokespeople for their respective parties.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

45. Which of the following statements best describes American political parties over the last 60 years?
a. Parties today are stronger and less ideological than they were 60 years ago.
b. There are more Democrats and fewer Republicans and Independents than there were
60 years ago.
c. The magnitude of ideological differences between the parties in Congress has increased.
d. Minor-party candidates are waging more competitive campaigns than ever before.
e. National party committees have evolved to the point that they now operate in much the
same way as local party machines did earlier.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

46. In recent years, Democrats and Republicans in Congress:

a. have been unable to agree on any major issues.
b. have disagreed on many issues but still occasionally can find compromise.
c. have become less knowledgeable about public policy.
d. have expanded the power of the legislative branch.
e. have become more ideologically moderate despite media accounts of a culture war.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

47. Democrats in Congress have been divided on issues such as immigration and domestic surveillance.
What concept does this demonstrate?
a. The party in electorate is polarized.
b. The party in government is polarized.
c. The party in government cannot be trusted to do what it promises.
d. Parties in government include a mixture of ideologies.
e. The legislative branch is independent from the executive branch.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

48. The modern-day Republican Party is a coalition of many different types of voters. Republicans tend to
attract a greater share than Democrats from all of the following groups EXCEPT:
a. men. d. white Catholics.
b. college graduates. e. white Evangelicals.
c. those living in the South.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
 in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

49. The loyalty that people have to one party is called:

a. party service. d. partisan extremism.
b. partisan commitment. e. party polarization.
c. party identification.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

50. What does it mean that party identification is “a running tally?”

a. It changes dramatically because of things that are happening on a day-to-day basis.
b. People update their views in response to political events.
c. It is unrelated to current political phenomena.
d. It is a deep psychological attachment developed early in life.
e. People keep score of which party is ahead in the polls and often switch sides to be with the
“winning team.”
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

51. How does new and additional political information affect an individual’s party identification?
a. It reinforces existing party loyalties, which explains why party identification is generally
stable over time.
b. It creates more knowledge in the person about politics and government, which increases
the likelihood of becoming a Democrat.
c. It creates more knowledge in the person about politics and government, which increases
the likelihood of becoming a Republican.
d. It creates more knowledge in the person about politics and government, which increases
the likelihood of becoming an Independent.
e. It causes confusion in the person, which increases the likelihood of joining a minor party.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

52. Which statement is true about Independents?

a. They are better informed about politics than party identifiers.
b. Their voting decisions are more sensitive to things that happen during
political campaigns.
c. They side more with Democrats than with Republicans.
d. They side more with Republicans than with Democrats.
e. They have no attachments of any kind to a political party.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Remembering

53. How is party identification different from formal membership in a party?

a. Party identification does not change.
b. One must receive permission before identifying with a party.
c. Identifying with a party does not give someone any direct influence over what
that party does.
 d. Only citizens can be formal members while anyone can identify with a party.
e. We refer to people who support Republicans as “identifying” with them and those
who support Democrats as “formally” supporting them.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Understanding

54. Although the increase in the number of people who identified as Independents was initially considered
evidence of ________ , a more recent interpretation is that many of these voters actually have
________.
a. dealignment; an interest in joining one of the major parties later in life
b. dealignment; weak partisan attachments
c. realignment; an interest in politics
d. realignment; weak partisan attachments
e. bipartisanship; an interest in joining one of the major parties later in life
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties
OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Applying

55. A vote to select a party’s nominee is known as a:

a. primary election. d. general election.
b. nonpartisan election. e. special election.
c. run-off election.
ANS: A DIF: Easy
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Remembering

56. One of the practical reasons that virtually all prominent candidates for the presidency and Congress
run as Democrats or Republicans is that:
a. the Constitution was specifically designed with a two-party system in mind.
b. it is easier to get on the general election ballot as a major party candidate.
c. most Americans want either a genuine liberal or conservative to represent them.
d. most Americans do not trust candidates unaffiliated with a party.
e. a minor-party candidate has never won a seat in Congress.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Understanding

57. When the parties select their nominees for president:

a. citizens vote for delegates at a national nominating convention, which then selects the
candidate.
b. the party primaries and caucuses are purely for show, with the decision being made at the
national convention by party leaders.
c. citizen votes do not really matter because of the electoral college.
d. so-called superdelegates decide the nominee.
e. citizens determine the nominee by voting on the last night of the nominating convention
after all the speeches have been delivered.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate
 REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Remembering

58. Party platforms are important documents because:

a. they offer detailed and specific solutions to complex problems.
b. they can have a significant influence in swaying public opinion on a controversial
policy issue.
c. candidates must support the party platform when elected to office or risk being
expelled from the party.
d. most Americans read them over carefully to help them make more informed
decisions as voters.
e. they provide a general guide for the types of policies winning candidates are
likely to vote for if elected.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Understanding

59. How is the party platform approved?

a. by the national committee
b. through the primary and caucus process
c. by the party’s congressional leadership team
d. at the nominating convention, held every four years
e. directly by registered voters
ANS: D DIF: Moderate
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Understanding

60. When one party controls both the legislature and the presidency, it is called:
a. unified government. d. conditional party government.
b. party-based government. e. coordinated government.
c. responsible party government.
ANS: A DIF: Easy
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Remembering

61. When parties decide on their legislative priorities for the year they are engaged in:
a. dealignment. d. party identification.
b. realignment. e. coalition building.
c. agenda setting.
ANS: C DIF: Easy
REF: The Role of Political Parties in American Politics
OBJ: Explain the important functions that parties perform in the political system.
MSC: Applying

62. Minor-party candidates have a difficult time winning office because:

a. many people consider a vote for a minor-party candidate to be a wasted one.
b. the Founders wanted to make it difficult for minor-party candidates to win office.
 c. there are no issues on which minor parties can campaign.
d. most Americans do not trust candidates unaffiliated with a party.
e. most Americans are not permitted by their state to register as a member of a minor party.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Minor parties
OBJ: Consider the role of minor parties in a system dominated by two major parties.
MSC: Understanding

63. Duverger’s Law holds that there will only be two political parties:
a. in democratic political systems.
b. when we have single-member districts and plurality voting.
c. when we do not use winner-take-all voting rules.
d. when a candidate needs a majority of votes in order to take office.
e. when there are deep and polarizing divisions within the electorate.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Minor Parties
OBJ: Consider the role of minor parties in a system dominated by two major parties.
MSC: Understanding

ESSAY

1. Describe the evolution of political parties from the first party system to their more recent incarnations.
How have their organizations changed over time? How have their roles changed? Has their impact
increased or decreased?

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Moderate REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Analyzing

2. In the last 50 years, elected officials from the Republican and Democratic parties have become more
ideologically polarized. Explain what that means and discuss the impact this has had on American
politics.

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Evaluating

3. At times there have been stark transformations in the American party coalitions called realignments.
Using either the transition from the second to the third party system, or from the fourth to the fifth,
explain what a realignment is and how it occurs.

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Easy REF: Parties and Party Systems

OBJ: Show how American political parties and party systems have evolved over time.
MSC: Analyzing
4. What does it mean to say that political parties have brand names? What do the Republican and
Democratic brands stand for? What is the importance of the party coalitions for supporting these
brands?

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Analyzing

5. What are some of the functions that modern American political parties perform in government and in
elections? Do parties, in filling these roles, contribute to a better American democracy? Why or why
not?

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Easy REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Evaluating

6. Two common complaints about political parties in the United States are that there are only two of them
and that they are not very different from each other. Why are there only two major parties in the
United States? Are the two major parties very different from each other? Do you think the United
States is better or worse off with a two-party system? Explain your answers.

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Moderate REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Evaluating

7. What is the Tea Party? Why do we call it a “party,” and what might be a more accurate name for it?
What does the existence of the Tea Party tell us about the strength of American political parties and
the way the political system works in America?

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Evaluating

8. Given what you have learned about American political parties, would you prefer that they be stronger
or weaker? Why? Draw on both concepts and examples from the text in order to explain your answer
to this question.

ANS:
Answers will vary.

DIF: Difficult REF: Modern American Political Parties

OBJ: Describe the main characteristics of American parties as organizations, in the government, and
in the electorate. MSC: Evaluating