After reading Chapter 7, the student should be able to:

1. Explain the conditions that factor into whether a citizen will vote or not vote, such as class, occupation, income, partisan loyalty, registration requirements, and the sense of political efficacy.
2. Define and explain the significance of the political socialization process.
3. Diagram the structure of the modern American political party.
4. Discuss the evolution of the American party system, from the Federalists to the Whigs to the Republicans and Democrats.
5. Distinguish among maintaining, deviating, and realigning elections.
6. Itemize the main functions of a political party.
7. Explain the factors that have promoted, and currently weaken, the two-party system in America.
8. Discuss the arguments for and against a current presidential realignment.

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