I have this question on an assignment

and I need help.

Many believe that political parties
are incapable of serving as an avenue
for social progress because:

A. party positions change so frequently.

B. the leaders who draft party
platforms are generally out
of touch with the concerns
of most Americans.

C. party membership is essentially
meaningless.

D. parties are so concerned with
accomodating the middle of the
ideological spectrum.

I am debating between C OR D to be
the correct answer.
I may be wrong- if I am, can you
help, please?
Thank You!

I vote for D. Political parties need votes to survive. The best way of getting the most votes is to appeal to as many people as possible. Thus they tend toward the middle of the political spectrum.

I agree with Ms. Sue about D. Next best could be C -- since many people vote according to their own thoughts rather than a "straight party ticket."

=)

The answer is D. I found it in my textbook. I have the same exact question in my US Govenment class.

To determine the correct answer between option C and D, let's examine each option more closely:

C. Party membership is essentially meaningless. This option suggests that being a member of a political party holds no significance or value in terms of serving as an avenue for social progress. This statement implies that party membership does not have any influence or impact on political decision-making.

D. Parties are so concerned with accommodating the middle of the ideological spectrum. This option proposes that political parties prioritize appealing to the middle ground of the ideological spectrum to attract the largest number of voters. This approach aims to gain the most votes rather than taking a more extreme position that may alienate certain segments of the population.

Considering these explanations, it is more likely that option D is the correct answer. Political parties have a strong incentive to accommodate the middle of the ideological spectrum to maximize their appeal and gain as many votes as possible. This approach allows them to maintain their viability and effectiveness as political actors.

However, it's always important to refer to the relevant course material or any provided sources to confirm the correct answer. So, it's great to hear that you found the answer in your textbook, which ultimately confirms that option D is the correct response to this question.