Political Review

Political Orientation  A.Defines a person’s beliefs regarding social, political, and economic issues.

Political Spectrum  Tool used to plot a person’s political orientation

 Liberal-  believe the government should play an active role in promoting social, economic and political progress.  Government solutions are needed for society’s problems.

Conservative  Private solutions are best answer to society’s problems  Laissez Faire

Moderates  Political opinions fall between both Liberals and Conservatives.  Share opinions of both views.

 Reactionary- Favors extreme change to restore society to an earlier, more conservative state  Radical- Favors extreme change to create an altered or entirely new social system -

Partisanship  devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause Bipartisanship  in which opposing political parties find common ground through compromise,

Political Party  A group of persons who seek to control gov’t through the winning of elections and holding of public office.

DemocratRepublican

Platform  A Political party’s formal statement on basic principles, stands on major issue, and objecdtives

Third Party  A party not affiliated with either the Democrats or Republicans

Economic Protest Party  dominated by feelings of economic discontent Splinter Party  A party that has split from one of the two major parties over serious differences

Ideological Party  Based on a particular set of beliefs Single Issue Party 1.Focus on a single issue. a.Pro Life – make abortion illegal b.Prohibition – make alcohol illegal

Winner Take all System  electoral college  Single Member District

Two Party  Only two parties have a legitimate chance of winning Multi Party  A system in which several major and some minor parties exist

Develop broad policy and leadership choices. Vital link between the people and gov. They work to blunt conflicts Bring conflicting groups together Encourage the contending views of diff. Interests and groups. Soften impact of extremists at both end

influence  Attract new groups of voters  Spoiler? Take votes away from major parties.  Adoption of ideas by major parties.  Winner Take All – electoral college