14.1 Functions of Political Parties

The Roles of a Political Party

1. As organizations - recruit, nominate, support candidates
2. In the electorate - provide labels that are shortcuts for voters
3. In government - enact policies & oppose majority

Parties as Organizations

• Unite people based on shared beliefs

Parties in the Electorate

• Party identification - the degree to which a voter is influenced by a party
• Straight ticket voting - voting for all candidates in one party
• Split-ticket voting - voting for candidates that may be from different parties

Parties in the Government

• Party platform - a set of positions that members agree to

14.2 The Development of American Political Parties

• Party coalition - groups of voters who support a political party over time
• Realignment - major shifts in allegiance to parties
• Critical election - a major election that signal change in balance of power
• Party eras - era where on party wins most national elections
• Era of divided government - trend since 1969, one party controls one or both houses and the president is the opposing party

14.3 Parties & Political Campaigns