Chapter 9 Learning Objectives

Name:      Date:      E-mail address: 

Upon completion of Chapter 9, the Cathedral student should should be able to:
 
1. Define the term "political party" and identify the elements that make up a major political party. 

2. Identify and discuss some of the vital functions that political parties perform within the American political system. 

3. Describe the historical roots of the present-day Democratic and Republican Parties. 

4. Analyze the cultural, historical, and political factors that contribute to the persistence of the two-party system in the United States. 

5. Explain why there has been a long-term decline in party allegiance in the United States and a significant decrease in the power of political parties. 

6. Compare and contrast the public images of the "typical" Democrat and the "typical" Republican, and evaluate the accuracy of these images in describing the two major political parties. 

7. Explain that American political parties are decentralized and only loosely organized. 

8. Describe the USATODAY highlights and proceedings of a national political convention. 

9. Evaluate the national presidential primary as a possible reform of the party nominating system. 

10. Explain why some critics argue that American political parties are not "responsible" to the voters. 



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Chief, 



I acknowledge that I have reviewed the above Learning Objectives for Chapter 9, "Political Parties."

GOVT 2305  American Government and Politics
Cathedral High School, El Paso, Texas
Last updated:  August 2004