Identification Questions
democracy politics single-member district GOPAC "Newtonians party system responsible political parties	federalism multi-member district realigning elections [OMIT]Baker v. Carr (1964) cumulative voting preferential voting faction Bi-factional parties	Multi-factional parties Concentration Dispersion [OMIT]Reno v. Shaw (1993) interparty competition "inclusive compromise" Non-programatic parties

Essay Questions

1. Define "politics", and identify functions of politics as a basic social process.

2. Define "political party" in the American context. Explain how this definition differs from a traditional concept of political party.

3. Explain how the development of democracy in the 19^th century necessitated the development of political parties. Explain what functions political parties have in a democratic political system.

4. [OMIT]What do the articles by Rosentiel and Tobar suggest about the function of political parties? Give examples and explain your answer.

5. Identify the major groups which defected from the Democratic party in presidential elections after 1968 and before the election of President Clinton. Explain why these groups defected from the Democratic Party.

6. Why do realignments occur? Include the following in your essay:
   • Define realignment.
   • Why are many potential realignments unsuccessful?
   • How do changes in the electorate help to bring about realignments?
   • How are realignments related to broad questions of public policy?

7. How do political parties manage conflict in a two-party political system?

8. Why does the electoral college tend to encourage a two-party system? Explain why electoral votes usually go to the candidates of the two major parties. How can a minor party candidate win votes in the electoral college?

9. Why do single member districts and plurality elections encourage a two-party system? In your essay explain why single member districts and plurality elections usually go to the candidates of the two major parties instead of to minor party candidates.

10. How are political parties and political interest groups different?

11. If third parties can't win elections in the American two party system, why do they run candidates?

12. Are American political parties responsible political parties? Why?

13. What effect do single member districts have on minor political parties? Why?

14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of "safe" legislative districts?

15. What are the advantages and disadvantages of "competitive legislative districts?

16. How does Madison define a faction? How do political parties help "break and control the violence of faction"?

17. Compare and contrast California's system of direct democracy with Madisonian democracy. Include in your essay:
    • a definition of direct democracy in California;
    • a definition of Madisonian democracy;
    • then compare and contrast direct democracy and Madisonian democracy.

18. Identify and explain the most significent changes long term changes in the electorate (i.e., between 1972 and 2000).

19. Was the presidential election of 2004 a realigning election? Why or why not.

20. [OMIT] Compare and contrast Karl Rove's strategy in the 2004 presidential election with the strategy used by Bill Clinton in winning the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections. Include examples in your essay.

21. How does the party system that emerged after the election of 1860 differ from other American party systems?

22. How does the party system that emerged after the election of 1932 differ from other American party systems?

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