Chapter 5 Flashcards
A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office.
Political Party
In American politics, the Republican and the Democratic parties.
Major Parties
Government action based on firm allegiance to a political party.
Partisanship
In American politics, the party in power is the party that controls the executive branch of government—i.e., the presidency at the national level, or the governorship at the State level.
Party in Power
One of the political parties not widely supported.
Minor Party
A political system dominated by two major parties.
Two-party system
Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office.
Single member District
In an election, the number of votes that the leading candidate obtains over the next highest candidate.
Plurality
Supported by two parties
Bipartisan
A society which consists of several distinct cultures and groups.
Pluralistic Society
General agreement among various groups on fundamental matters; broad agreement on public questions.
Consensus
A system in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win, public offices.
Multiparty
A temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government.
Coalition
A political system in which only one party exists.
One-party system
The current officeholder.
Incumbent
