Interest Groups, Political Parties, Evaluating Candidates

What is a third party?

• A political party that includes both major political parties

• A political party that discourages political participation

• A political party that opposes the two major political parties

• A political party that calls for the elimination of the federal government

Which major political party is described as more "to the right" or conservative?

• Democratic Party

• Green Party

• Republican Party

• Socialist Party

Which major political party is described as more "to the left" or liberal?

• Democratic Party

• Green Party

• Republican Party

• Socialist Party

Which issue represents a basic disagreement between Democrats and Republicans?

• Whether monopoly capitalism should be replaced by state ownership

• Whether Americans should unite behind the nation against global terrorism

• Whether higher levels of taxation should be imposed to pay for more public services

• Whether current uses of natural resources should be radically replaced by a greater focus in future sustainability

Which position would most likely be found in the Republican party platform?

• Support for the Affordable Care Act

• Opposition to the American intervention overseas in the War on Terror

• Demand for increased taxation for corporations to support pre-school programs

• Introduction of tax incentives for small businesses to support better job growth

How do the major parties select their candidates for President of the United States?

• Party members select their party’s candidate in a single run-off election

• Party ‘bosses’ choose their party’s candidate at their party’s nominating convention

• All registered voters decide which candidates each party should choose in a national primary election

• After a series of caucuses and primary elections, delegates at each party’s nominating convention choose their candidate

Which position would most likely be found in the Libertarian Party platform?

• Support for absolute freedom of speech and religion

• Support for the Affordable Care Act

• Support for higher taxation to provide more government services

• Support for increased regulation of business to curb the exploitation of natural resources

The passage below is from a political party platform:

We believe we are stronger when we have an economy that works for everyone – an economy that grows incomes for working people, creates good-paying jobs, and puts a middle-class life within reach for more Americans… [We] believe that in America, if you want a higher education you should always be able to get one: money should never stand in the way…[We] believe that health care is a right, not a privilege….

Which political party’s views are represented in the platform above?

• Constitution Party

• Democratic Party

• Libertarian Party

• Republican Party

Which issue represents a basic disagreement between Socialists and Communists?

• Whether all private businesses should be replaced by state ownership

• Whether the government should provide public services like free education and health care

• Whether conditions for workers should be improved

• Whether income taxes should be lowered

What is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?

• Interest groups have more members than political parties.

• Interest groups have platforms addressing all issues of public concern.

• Interest groups are organized to elect candidates to political office.

• Interest groups attempt to influence government directly on particular issues.