LBrionesLinkage Institutions Study GuideAPGoPo

Political Parties SG (ch. 8)

I. Read chapter 8, look at the pretty pictures, and complete the following:

Focus Questions (answer neatly & completely; define vocabulary words used in answers):

1. Explain what political parties are AND list the traditional tasks they perform in order to serve as effective linkage institutions.

2. List the three types of third parties we typically see in American politics.

3. Summarize the various roles third parties play in our political system.

4. Explain THREE reasons why third parties struggle to compete with the two major parties.

5. Contrast the winter-take-all characteristic of our political system with that used by European countries.

II. Define and understand the significance of the following terms:

Party competition / Primary election / New Deal Coalition
Political party / National committee / Party de-alignment
Rational-choice theory / National chairperson / Party neutrality
Party identification / Coalition / Third parties
Ticket-splitting / Party eras / Winner-take-all system
Party machines / Critical election / Proportional representation
Patronage / Primary election / Responsible party model
Closed primaries / Open primaries / Blanket primaries

Interest Groups (ch . 11)

I. Read the Interest Groups reading (under Links) and write 20 questions with answers based on the reading. Questions should be rigorous and varied in format.

II. Look at the pictures in Chapter 11 and define in your own words and understand the significance of the following terms:

1. Interest group / 6. potential group / 11. selective benefits / 16. class action suits
2. pluralist theory / 7. actual group / 12. single-issue group / 17. union shop
3. elite theory / 8. collective good / 13. lobbying / 18. right-to-work state
4. hyper pluralist theory / 9. free-rider problem / 14. electioneering / 19. public interest lobbies
5. sub governments / 10. Olson’s law of large groups / 15. Political Action Committees (PACs) / 20. amicus curiae briefs