The Role of Political Parties - Unit 9

Multiple Choice

Which statement best explains why George Washington's warning about political parties proved to be historically significant?

• Political parties ended up strengthening democracy, contrary to his fears

• His warning predicted the exact problems that would emerge with the two-party system

• Despite his concerns, parties emerged naturally from fundamental disagreements about governance

• Political parties immediately caused the problems he predicted

Multiple Select

Using the chart, which statements about party identification would be true? Select all that apply. 3 of the answers are correct!

• The end of the Bush presidency in 2009 saw more Americans identifying as Independent than as Democrats or Republicans.

• The Reagan presidency saw Americans identifying more with the Republican party than the Democratic party.

• Americans identifying as Republicans dropped to their lowest point in the period following the Nixon administration.

• Historically, Democrats have enjoyed an advantage in party identification over Republicans.

Multiple Choice

How do party coalitions most significantly impact American politics?

• They prevent parties from changing their positions

• They force parties to balance diverse group interests to maintain electoral support

• They make parties more ideologically pure

• They eliminate the need for compromise

Multiple Choice

What conclusion can best be drawn about independent voters in modern American politics?

• Most registered independents consistently vote for one party

• Independent voters never split their tickets

• Most self-described independents actually lean toward and usually support one party

• Independent voters make up the majority of the electorate