The American Political System

_________ plays a major role and has a large impact on the American political system.

• Democratic law

• Political parties

• Republican law

• rule of law

The political party that wins more seats in one house of the national or state legislature becomes the _________.

• majority party

• Democratic Party

• Republican Party

• third party

The party that wins fewer seats in the national or state legislature becomes the ___________ in that house of the legislature.

• majority party

• minority party

• Democratic Party

• Republican Party

The following is part of a political parties platform from 2008.

"Planks...called for the United States to assume a leadership role in the fight against global warming, amending NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) to reflect concerns about labor and the environment, and a call for more service through an expansion of the AmeriCorps and Peace Corps programs" Source: Library of Congress

Which political party is this likely from?

• Republican Party

• Libertarian Party

• Democratic Party

• Freedom Party

The following is from a political parties platform in 2008.

"...support for the Armed Forces, including better economic opportunities and health and disability care for veterans; opposition to amnesty for illegal immigrants and support for legislation to designate English as the official language of the United States; United Nations reform; tax relief to grow the economy and promote small business; and government reform, including the adoption of a balanced budget act and ending earmarks in legislation.

Which political party is this likely from?

• Democratic Party

• Libertarian Party

• Republican Party

• Green Party

Interest groups use their _______ rights to peaceable assembly, free speech, and petition to monitor and influence the government.

• Second Amendment

• First Amendment

• Third Amendment

• Fourth Amendment

In which ways do interest groups influence the political system?

• work with members of Congress

• contribute to campaigns of candidates they support

• influencing people

• all of these are true

Which issue is likely to be addressed by both major political parties?

• the environment

• health care

• support for public education

• support for charter schools and private schools

A large plot of land in a major city is available for development. The city is asking for suggestions that would enable many people to use the site. What are two likely results of this current issues?

• one group proposes a new major league baseball stadium, another wants a park and recreation center

• one group wants to leave the area undeveloped, another wants to build one large house

• a nature group wants to plant trees

• a group wants to build luxury town homes, another group wants to an expensive high rise

The United States has a long history of a two party system. What does this mean?

• third parties almost always win major elections

• since the nation's founding the Democratic and Republican parties have won all major elections

• two parties often get the most voter participation

• all of these are true