AP Government and Politics Study Guide for Week Ending 11/21/2014
Chapter entitled, Political Parties
Pacing Guide
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Assignments
1 Answer questions 1 - 4
1. Answer questions 5 - 11
1. Read “Political Parties” in the Cliffs AP book
2. Take Multiple Choice Quiz and study the rationale for each answer
1. Read “Mass Media” in the Cliffs AP book
2. Take Multiple Choice Quiz and study the rationale for each answer
1. Answer questions 12 - 15
2. Complete “Terms to Know”
Chapter 7 Terms to Know
Please type
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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12.
13.
political party
progressives
direct primary
national convention
national committee
congressional campaign
committee
national chairman
Soft money
Hard money
super-delegates
winner-take-all-system
political machine
Tammany Hall
14.
15.
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17.
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19.
patronage
plurality system
caucus
linkage institutions
“loyal opposition”
“out party”
27.
28.
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31.
32.
McGovern-Fraser Commission
Party De-alignment
“personal following”
proportional representation
coalition
party platform
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24.
25.
26.
realignment
First Party System
Second Party System
New Deal Coalition
Spoils System
Tammany Hall
Civil Service
33.
34.
35.
36.
Progressives
Dixiecrats
Strom Thurmond
superdelegates
American Independent Party
Ross Perot
Critical
40. Blue Dog
Elections
Democrats
37.
38.
39.
Reading Questions - Chapter Seven
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6.
What are the three political arenas within which a party may be found?
In what ways are American political parties weak? (This is an extremely important point so be sure that you
understand it and can explain all the reasons. This concept will turn up again and again in this class.) This would be
a good question for writing a detailed answer. As you read through the chapter, any time you see a mention of
weakened parties, add to this list. Then leave room for more notes or plan to add more later since we’ll be talking
about this all unit (and year).
Briefly summarize the differences between political parties in the United States and in Europe. You can make a
bullet point chart.
Briefly trace the development of the party system through its four periods, and give reasons for why the parties
have been in decline since the New Deal period. Do not go overboard in your notes on the four party systems; just
make sure you’re familiar with the parties and the terms and the chronology. Basically, the important thing is that
you understand the broad pattern in Figure 7.2 on p. 156.
Describe the structure of the major political parties, making sure you understand the roles of the national
committees, congressional committees, and the national chairmen.
What has been the difference between the two parties in terms of structure and organization?
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14.
How have changes in how they choose delegates affected the last few Democratic nominating conventions? Take
note of the 1972 McGovern changes (known as the McGovern-Frasier Commission) and the 1981 Hunt
Commission. What were the effects of these changes?
What is a political party machine? How has the power of party machines been weakened? What were some of the
positive aspects of party machines?
Define and give examples of an ideological party.
How does having a personal following reflect a weakened party system?
What explanations does the book give for the persistence of the two-party system?
Explain why minor parties form, and discuss different kinds of parties.
Analyze why third parties are so rarely successful.
Describe some of the issue differences between delegates at Democratic and Republican conventions, and indicate
whether there are major differences between the parties. Compare these differences with those between members of
the rank and file voters.
15. How to apply what we’ve just learned
1. Know yourself through a process of self-reflection, study, and self inventory.
2. Know the issues that are important to you and the nation as a whole:
 Study the issues from respectable sources
 Get perspectives on the issues from all angles
3. Critically think the issues through and then take a position on the issues.
4. Know the candidates and their positions on the issues:
 What is their position on the issues and why?
 How do their positions measure up to your own positions on the issues?
5. Determine who are the best candidates to represent you at all levels of government:
 Vote for those individuals who most closely align with yourself on the issues
 Vote for candidates who are of good character!