Mid Term Essay

American Government 180

Midterm Essay

August 9, 2014

A. Why have the Democratic and Republican parties been so durable so as to maintain existence since the Civil War? Explain. Explain why the single-member district system of elections tends to promote a two-party system only. What is meant by a realigning election? Give an example. What are primary elections and what impact have they had on party organizations.

I believe that over time each party has reinvented it selves. Whereas Blacks used to vote as Republican the party of Lincoln. Since Slavery was abolished, today the majority of the Black population votes Democratic. I believe the either party is self-sustaining. I think they need each other to stay powerful. One is conservative and the other progresses.

I remember when I was 15 my grandmother was teaching me how to vote and she was like “there’s either Democrat or Republican” I was like but look we have so many choices she said “those don’t matter the Democrat/Republican ticket is more stable” I had no idea what it meant but that’s the idea I have always had in my head stability. I believe the majority of the United States or either conservative or liberal so the majority of the votes does either or.

Realigning means a drastic change in the political system. A great example of realignment is the 1980 election. Reagan defeated carter and it was the first time in 25 years the Republican Party dominated the senate and took control.

Primaries are when the political party nominates their candidates for the general election and the candidate is under popular control. It also minimizes the party organizations strength.