Chapter 13 Test: Political Parties

1. Which of the following functions is a political party not responsible for?

• A) Organization: recruiting and campaigning for candidates
• B) Labeling: easy identification for voters
• C) Leadership: influence party members' behavior in Congress
• D) Voting: Superdelegate votes influence the electoral college vote more than others

2. In the United Kingdom, parties are...

• A) Stronger due to a longer history of conflict
• B) Weaker due to more than 2 major parties holding seats in the House of Commons
• C) Stronger because there are no primary elections
• D) The same strength due to federalism

4. What is a realignment/critical period? (2 points) Give two reasons why realignment/critical periods occur (2 points)

5. Which of the following best describes a primary election?

• A) Hillary Clinton faces off against Donald Trump in the 2016 election held in November
• B) The Senate considers a rule change, also known as the "nuclear option" to stop filibusters in specific scenarios
• C) The Senate votes to confirm a presidential appointment before the nominee takes office
• D) An election held to determine the nominee from a particular party

6. Identify the two major types of primary elections (2 points) Describe the two major types of primary elections (2 points)

7. Which of the following best describes superdelegates?

• A) Party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the convention without having to run in primaries/caucuses
• B) Party leaders and elected officials who set the official policy platform at the national convention, but do not cast votes
• C) Party elites who hold leadership positions in Congress (Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, etc.)
• D) Presidential candidates vying for the nomination at the party's national convention

8. What is an invisible primary? (2 points) Do you think the "invisible primary" process is fair? Why or why not? (2 points)

10. When a political machine is operating...

• A) Congresspeople are adopting the delegate view to bring earmarks back to their districts
• B) A party organization is recruiting members by dispensing patronage
• C) A party organization tilts its resources in favor of candidates who appeal to their party platform
• D) Party elites are effectively urging fellow legislators to vote with the party line

11. Identify the two major explanations for the existence of our two-party system (2 points) Describe the two major explanations for the existence of our two-party system (2 points)

13. What do people mean when they say that minor parties can "split the vote?" (2 points) Name one major election in which a presidential candidate "split the vote", and accurately describe how it affected the outcome of the election (2 points)