Chapter Study OutlineIntroduction Show Political parties are teams of politicians, activists, and voters whose goal is to win control of government. To do so, parties perform essential tasks of recruiting and nominating candidates, garnering the resources needed to run campaigns, and pursuing a policy agenda that can help them appeal to voters. Although Americans tend to be suspicious of “party rule,” the Democratic and Republican parties are essential to the daily operation of government and the conduct of American democracy in elections. This two-party system helps to structure voters’ electoral choice and provide coordination to America’s otherwise divided and separated governing institutions. 1. Why Do Political Parties Form? What fundamental problems do political parties help politicians and voters overcome?
2. What Functions Do Parties Perform? Once formed, what are the essential functions that political parties perform in American democracy and governance?
3. Parties and the Electorate How and how well do political parties organize the electorate? What groups tend to identify with Democrats and Republicans, respectively?
4. Parties as Institutions How are contemporary political parties organized? What functions do they serve and what services do they offer to candidates?
5. Party Systems What is a “party system”? What have been the major “party systems” throughout American political history? What is the place of third parties in the American party system?
Which of the following describes a lobbyist quizlet?Someone who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government.
How do lobbyists influence government decisions quizlet?Lobbyists are professionals who work to influence public policy in favor of their clients' interests. Often hired by government officials to get information, political as well as technical, that people and organizations outside the government are in the best position to provide.
What is the role of the lobbyist in government quizlet?A lobbyist is someone hired by a business or a cause to persuade legislators to support that business or cause. Lobbyists get paid to win favor from politicians. For example, oil companies send lobbyists to Washington to try to make life easier for oil companies.
What role do lobbyists play in the legislative process quizlet?Lobbyists attempt to persuade members of congress to vote for specific legislation that benefits an interest group, introduce proposals in congress, offer amendments in committees and on the floor to a piece of legislation, and help members of congress push issues on or off the agenda.
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