POLIT

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9-1 DEFINING

What are political parties?

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Associations of voters with common interests who want to influence decision making in government by electing their candidates to public office.

9-1 EXPLAINING

Why did George Washington not want political parties to form?

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He believed parties would be a source of conflict that could tear the nation apart.

9-1 DESCRIBING

Why do single-issue parties form?

To promote a social, economic, or moral issue.

9-1 EXPLAINING

What is the goal of ideological parties?

To change society in major ways.

9-1 EXPLAINING

Why do the two major parties seem so similar?

Because they take moderate positions to attract large numbers of voters.

9-1 COMPARING

What is the difference between a platform and a plank?

A platform tells voters what the party will do if voters elect them into office. A plank is each individual part of the platform.

9-2 SUMMARIZING

What does a political party’s national committee do?

It helps raise funds for presidential elections and organizes the party’s national convention.

9-2 DESCRIBING

How has the nomination of presidential candidates changed over the years?

In the past, delegates decided on the candidate. Now, primary elections are used to narrow down the candidates and the nomination is already determined by the time of the convention.

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9-2 EXPLAINING

What is the job of a precinct captain?

To organize party volunteers during campaigns and encourage voters on election day.

9-2 EVALUATING

Why does the county chairperson have so much political influence in the county?

Because they build grassroots support and the governor or senator may consult them for advice on the appointment of public officials.

9-2 CONCLUDING

Why is it important to build grassroots support for a party?

Grassroots support is at the community level and lets local party leaders see what issues are important to voters so they can affect voters.

9-2 EXPLAINING

How are political machines generally viewed today?

Today they are considered harmful and unresponsive to the community’s needs when in power too long. Political leaders might become less concerned with the voters when they do not have to worry about reelection.

9-3 IDENTIFYING

Who selects the candidates for public office?

Political parties

9-3 DESCRIBING

What happens during direct primaries?

Voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election.

9-3 CONTRASTING

What is the difference between an open and closed primary?

Only declared members of a party may vote in a closed primary. Anyone may vote in an open primary.

9-3 EXPLAINING

What is the purpose of a runoff primary?

To select a candidate when none of the candidates receive the majority of the vote. When this happens, the top two candidates run again in a runoff.

9-3 EVALUATING

How are party ties instrumental in helping different levels and branches of government cooperate?

Because the public officials are from the same party they are likely to have similar goals and ideas and may join forces to fight a common problem.

9-3 EXPLAINING

Why do parties out of power act as watchdogs?

The monitor and criticize the party in power in hopes of attracting voters in future elections.

POLITICAL BELIEFS – WHERE DO YOU STAND?http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/politicalbeliefs

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