POSC 1010 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
What is the main goal of a political party? - Answers - To win elections and control
government.
What makes a political party different from an interest group? - Answers - Parties run
candidates for office; interest groups only try to influence policy.
Name two main things political parties do during elections. - Answers - They recruit
candidates and get voters to the polls (GOTV).
Who is the de facto leader of their political party? - Answers - The President.
What is the lowest level of party organization? - Answers - The voting precinct.
Name one advantage and one disadvantage of the two-party system. - Answers -
Advantage: stability and clear majorities. Disadvantage: lack of choices and difficulty for
third parties.
What does "realignment" mean in politics? - Answers - A major shift in which party
dominates government.
What is "divided government"? - Answers - When the presidency and Congress are
controlled by different parties.
Which party did Andrew Jackson found? - Answers - The Democratic Party.
What was the Republican Party originally founded to oppose? - Answers - The
expansion of slavery.
What are the two main steps in the election process? - Answers - Nomination and
general election.
What's the difference between a majority and plurality vote? - Answers - Majority = more
than 50%; Plurality = the most votes, even if under 50%.
Why did the U.S. switch from conventions to primaries? - Answers - Conventions were
controlled by party bosses and not democratic.
What's the difference between a closed and open primary? - Answers - Closed: only
party members vote. Open: any voter can choose one party's primary to vote in.
ANSWERS
What is the main goal of a political party? - Answers - To win elections and control
government.
What makes a political party different from an interest group? - Answers - Parties run
candidates for office; interest groups only try to influence policy.
Name two main things political parties do during elections. - Answers - They recruit
candidates and get voters to the polls (GOTV).
Who is the de facto leader of their political party? - Answers - The President.
What is the lowest level of party organization? - Answers - The voting precinct.
Name one advantage and one disadvantage of the two-party system. - Answers -
Advantage: stability and clear majorities. Disadvantage: lack of choices and difficulty for
third parties.
What does "realignment" mean in politics? - Answers - A major shift in which party
dominates government.
What is "divided government"? - Answers - When the presidency and Congress are
controlled by different parties.
Which party did Andrew Jackson found? - Answers - The Democratic Party.
What was the Republican Party originally founded to oppose? - Answers - The
expansion of slavery.
What are the two main steps in the election process? - Answers - Nomination and
general election.
What's the difference between a majority and plurality vote? - Answers - Majority = more
than 50%; Plurality = the most votes, even if under 50%.
Why did the U.S. switch from conventions to primaries? - Answers - Conventions were
controlled by party bosses and not democratic.
What's the difference between a closed and open primary? - Answers - Closed: only
party members vote. Open: any voter can choose one party's primary to vote in.
