The Libertarian and Socialist parties in the United States are examples of which type of parties?

• A. One-issue parties
• B. Factional parties
• C. Ideological parties
• D. Economic-protest parties

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is what defines an ideological party. Ideological parties are built around a broad, consistent worldview about how society should be organized and governed, affecting many policy areas rather than focusing on a single issue. The Libertarian Party promotes a philosophy of minimal government and maximum individual liberty across economic and social topics, while the Socialist Party advocates a socialist order with a larger government role in the economy and extensive social programs. Because both push a comprehensive governing program grounded in a coherent ideology, they fit as ideological parties rather than one-issue, factional, or economic-protest parties. One-issue parties would concentrate on a single policy, factional parties arise from splits within major parties, and economic-protest parties form around economic grievances without proposing a full governing ideology.