Outline the arguments that suggest a decline in the strength of American political parties.
What will be an ideal response?
Scholars that argue that a decline has occurred in the strength of American political parties point to several factors. These include the elimination of political patronage due to civil service qualification requirements, and the government's increased social and community role as provider of social welfare benefits, many of which formerly came from the parties. Primary elections have also diluted party power by allowing candidates to take their messages directly to voters, and shifts in media coverage toward individual candidates have also taken their toll.
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Shortly after World War I, President Woodrow Wilson submitted to the Senate the Treaty of Versailles, which contained the charter for the proposed League of Nations. The Senate
A. sent the proposed treaty to the House of Representatives for ratification. B. rejected the proposed treaty. C. ratified the proposed treaty. D. sent the proposed treaty to the states for ratification. E. allowed the proposed treaty to be voted on by the people in a national referendum.
According to Figure 13.1, Forms of Electoral Participation, in what presidential election year was there a sharp reduction in the percentage of people reading about the campaign in the newspaper?
a. 1960 b. 1972 c. 1984 d. 2004