Question 1

The experiences of George McGovern in 1972 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 under the new rules illustrated that ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   outsiders with tenuous links to others in the party could compete and make it harder to win and govern
B)   making the process fairer would damage the party on Election Day because it shifted the Democrats too far to the left
C)   Republicans would have a permanent advantage in presidential elections because the party could quickly rally around a nominee who had not been bruised in the primaries
D)   by making the process more representative and fair, the Democratic Party could capture the vital center in American politicsE) B) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 2

Describe how a classic party machine worked.

Accepted Answer

A classic party machine typically worked...

Question 3

The most accurate statement about the differences in opinion between party activists and regular voters is ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   there really are no differences in their opinions
B)   party activists are less ideological and more pragmatic, whether conservative or liberal, than regular voters
C)   party activists are apt to hold more extreme views, whether conservative or liberal, than regular voters
D)   regular voters are more likely than party activists to consistently vote for their partyE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 4

What party found its only presidential success by nominating a popular military hero without known political coloration and obscuring party divisions by not writing a party platform?

Accepted Answer

A)   Republican Party
B)   Democratic-Republican Party
C)   American Party
D)   Whig PartyE) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 5

Divided government ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   is unconstitutional pursuant to Article II of the U.S. Constitution and not a factor at all in the parliamentary systems of the world such as Britain and Canada
B)   is such a rare phenomenon in American politics that it is virtually nonexistent
C)   has not happened at the federal level since the end of the Progressive Era
D)   allows each party to block the other party's more extreme proposals and forces both to compromise when making policyE) B) and D)
F) C) and D)

Question 6

What were some of the major reforms of the Progressive Era and what effect did those reforms have on political participation?

Accepted Answer

Secret ballot, direct primary,...

Question 7

Why was free riding a major concern for the early parties?

Accepted Answer

A)   Supporters could only enjoy the party victory if they actively participated in the campaign.
B)   Many candidates would do little work and hope that the presidential candidate would attract enough votes for the party.
C)   Many supporters of the party would get the benefits of victory whether or not they contributed money to the campaign.
D)   Supporters were able to enjoy the party's victory whether or not they voted.E) C) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a policy or idea promoted by a third party that ended up in one of the platforms of the major parties?

Accepted Answer

A)   the regulatory innovations sought by the Populist Party in the 1890s
B)   George Wallace's promise of "segregation yesterday, segregation today, segregation forever"
C)   the promise of H. Ross Perot to stop the North American Free Trade Agreement.
D)   prohibition on the manufacture and sale of alcohol by the Prohibition Party in the 1870sE) B) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 9

How does proportional representation affect party systems?

Accepted Answer

A party receives legislative s...

Question 10

The history of party building is largely a story of the "outs" finding new ways to become the "ins."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

What were two of the more important reforms of the Progressive Era?

Accepted Answer

A)   the "coal brigade" and the provision of civil war pensions
B)   patronage and the provision of national pensions
C)   the Australian ballot and primary elections
D)   the poll tax and the spoils systemE) B) and C)
F) A) and D)

Question 12

Typically more than half of voters tell pollsters that the two major parties ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   have co-opted the best ideas from the Constitution Party
B)   do such a great job that a major third party is not needed
C)   satisfy their policy options so no additional parties are needed other than the Green Party
D)   do such a poor job that a third major party is neededE) A) and D)
F) C) and D)

Question 13

What are the consequences of Duverger's Law for political candidates?

Accepted Answer

A)   They must join one of the existing parties.
B)   Office seekers usually join one of the two competitive parties rather than pursuing office as independents or third-party nominees.
C)   It forces candidates to strategically align their positions on the issues with the party so they can take full advantage of the party label.
D)   Joining one of the major parties guarantees that a candidate will have sufficient financial resources to run a competitive campaign.E) All of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 14

The main goal of party conventions in contemporary politics is ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   drafting a party platform that all candidates running under the party label in the general election can embrace
B)   choosing the party's candidate for President and Vice President
C)   for state and local political leaders to renegotiate their complex coalitions
D)   conveying an attractive image and message to citizens watching the action at home on televisionE) A) and B)
F) B) and D)

Question 15

The activities of the parties today are aimed at helping candidates compete more effectively at promoting the party brand means that parties ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   are more in control of candidates rather than being in service to ambitious politicians
B)   can dictate that nominees embrace the party brand as a requirement for receiving financial assistance
C)   are less focused on mobilizing voters and more focused on promoting candidates who can communicate the message
D)   are in service to its ambitious politicians but not in control of themE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 16

One consequence of the electoral reforms of the Progressive Era was to ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   shift the focus of electoral politics from candidates to issues
B)   shift the focus of electoral politics from parties to candidates
C)   dramatically increase voter turnout
D)   shift the focus of electoral politics from candidates to partiesE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 17

What effect did sorting have on political parties in the sixth-party system?

Accepted Answer

Republican Party has become even more co...

Question 18

The "party in government" refers to one part of a connected three-part system that is ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   composed of those voters who identify with the party and regularly vote for its nominees
B)   dedicated to electing the party's candidates
C)   only the party that is affiliated with the majority of the elected officials
D)   an alliance of current officeholders cooperating to shape public policyE) B) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 19

Duverger's law explains ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   why plurality elections always lead to party systems with more than two major competitors
B)   why office seekers will frequently pursue office as independents or third-party nominees
C)   why in a system in which a single winner is chosen by plurality voting, serious competitors will be reduced to two
D)   why the Electoral College is so frequently unable to choose the PresidentE) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 20

Under the civil service system, appointment and advancement depended on political pull rather than merit.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 12: Political Parties

The activities of the parties today are aimed at helping candidates compete more effectively at promoting the party brand means that parties ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The history of party building is largely a story of the "outs" finding new ways to become the "ins."

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Under the civil service system, appointment and advancement depended on political pull rather than merit.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What were two of the more important reforms of the Progressive Era?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Divided government ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why was free riding a major concern for the early parties?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The main goal of party conventions in contemporary politics is ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

One consequence of the electoral reforms of the Progressive Era was to ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Duverger's law explains ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What were some of the major reforms of the Progressive Era and what effect did those reforms have on political participation?

Correct AnswerverifiedSecret ballot, direct primary,...View AnswerShow Answer

Describe how a classic party machine worked.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIA classic party machine typically worked...View AnswerShow Answer

What effect did sorting have on political parties in the sixth-party system?

Correct AnswerverifiedRepublican Party has become even more co...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is an example of a policy or idea promoted by a third party that ended up in one of the platforms of the major parties?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The experiences of George McGovern in 1972 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 under the new rules illustrated that ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Typically more than half of voters tell pollsters that the two major parties ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What party found its only presidential success by nominating a popular military hero without known political coloration and obscuring party divisions by not writing a party platform?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The "party in government" refers to one part of a connected three-part system that is ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What are the consequences of Duverger's Law for political candidates?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How does proportional representation affect party systems?

Correct AnswerverifiedA party receives legislative s...View AnswerShow Answer

The most accurate statement about the differences in opinion between party activists and regular voters is ______.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Secret ballot, direct primary,...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
A classic party machine typically worked...
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Republican Party has become even more co...
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Correct Answer
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A party receives legislative s...
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