After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe the role parties play in making government policy.
• Explain the tension between the party base and the general electorate regarding their influence on issue positions.
• Outline the evolution of the party system in the United States.
• Explain how parties connect citizens and government.
• Describe the way in which the American party system works.
• Give examples of ways in which parties serve (or fail to serve) citizens in American politics.