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| The battle of the parties for control of public offices. Ups and downs of the two major parties are one of the most important elements in American politics. |
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| According to Anthony Downs, a "team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election." |
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| The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media. |
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| A popular theory in political science to explain the actions of voters as well as politicians. It assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives. |
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| The voter's perception of what the Republicans or Democrats stand for, such as conservatism or liberalism. |
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| A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other. |
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| Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices. It has become the norm in American voting behavior. |
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| A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern. |
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| One of the key inducements used by party machines. A patronage job, promotion, or contract is one that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone. |
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| Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party's candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty. |
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| Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests. |
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| Elections to select party nominees in which voters are presented with a list of candidates from all the parties. Voters can then select some Democrats and some Republicans if they like. |
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| The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform. |
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| One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. The national committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories. |
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| Proportional Representation |
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