Chapter 12: Political Parties

the stalemate that occurs when political rivals, especially parties, refuseto budge from their positions to achieve a compromise in the public interest

a group of citizens united by ideology and seeking control of government in order to promote their ideas and policies

loyalty to a political cause or party

the official structure that conducts the political business of parties

members of the party who have been elected to serve in government

ordinary citizens who identify with the party

voter affiliation with a political party

members of a political party who consistently vote for that party's candidates

party government when four conditions are met: clear choice of ideologies, candidates pledged to implement ideas, party held accountable by voters, and party control over members

list of policy positions a party endorese and pledges its elected officials to enact

the party "faithful"'; the rank-and-file members who actually carry out the party's electioneering efforts

mass-based party systems in which parties provided services and resources to voters in exchange for votes

party leaders, usually in an urban district, who exercised tight control over electioneering and patronage

system in which successful party candidates reward supporterse with jobs or favors

nomination of party candidates by registered party members rather than party bosses

extended periods of relative political stability in which one party tends to control both the presidency and Congress

an election signaling a significant change in popular allegiance from one party to another

substantial and longterm shift in party allegiance by individuals and groups, usually resulting in a change in policy direction

a trend among voters to identify themselves as independents rather than as members of a major party

the process of getting a person elected to public office

primary elections in which only registered party members may vote

primary elections in which eligible voters do not need to be registered party members

formal party gathering to choose candidates

unregulated campaign contributions by individuals, groups, or parties that promotes general election activities but do not directly support individual candidates

activities directed toward controlling the distribution of political resources by providing executive and legislative leadership, enacting agendas, mobilizing support, and building coalitions

ability of party leaders to bring party members in the legislature into line with the party program