Political Parties (American Government)

Recall cards on political parties in American democracy. What parties are and how they formed: party platforms and nominating conventions, the first party system (Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans), the Revolution of 1800, the corrupt bargain of 1824, and the enduring Democratic-Republican two-party dominance since the Civil War. The two-party system: plurality (first-past-the-post) versus majoritarian and proportional-representation electoral rules, third parties, and the Maine/Nebraska electoral-vote exception. The shape of modern parties: V. O. Key's three components (party in the electorate, organization, and in government), party identifiers, precincts, political machines, and personal politics. And divided government and polarization: majority and minority parties, moderates, party polarization, realignment, critical elections, sorting, bipartisanship, reapportionment, redistricting, gerrymandering, safe seats, and unified government.