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Political Parties
Political Parties |
Not mentioned in the Constitution, but a key feature in American politics since around 1800, political parties serve the purpose of uniting those who share political ideals, enabling members to elect like minded representatives and pursue similar legisla |
Two-Party System |
Unofficial system in which two major political parties dominate (Republicans and Democrats) |
Platform |
the official statement of ideals and goals a party makes at its national convention. Is not as meaningful as it sounds, as elected officials don't always follow it. |
National Convention |
the meeting of a party with the main task of presenting the nominee for President that will represent the party in the general election. Used to be more important, when the candidate was actually chosen at the convention. Now is more of a coming out par |
Party Realignment |
When the coalitions that support the two major parties fall apart, such as when many of the groups supporting a major party defect to the other party. Very rare. Last realignment took place in 1932, when the Democratic Party became the majority party an |
Divided Government |
When one of the two major parties controls the Presidency and one controls the Congress |
Coalition |
the collection of supporters that a party draws their membership from (Ex: Republican party is largely made up of Conservative Christians from the South, pro-Second Amendment supporters and business elites. |
Independent Candidates |
Candidates that run without a political party affiliation |
Third Parties |
Parties that exist outside the two party system (ideolgical parties like the Libertarians), single issue parties like the American Independent Party, as well as splinter parties that come from members of one of the two major parties who leave the party |