Final answer:
The correct answer to the student's question is b. It outlines the party’s stance on key issues. Party platforms are important for guiding political actions once a party is in power and provide key signals to voters about a candidate's political beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following correctly assesses the role that a party platform plays on political parties administering government? The correct answer is b. It outlines the party’s stance on key issues. A party platform is a collection of a party’s positions on issues it considers politically important, acting as a policy guide for partisans in office and giving voters insights into what the party stands for. When a political party gains the majority, the platform becomes critical as it underpins the legislative agenda the party seeks to implement. For example, if the Republican Party holds the majority in Congress, they will aim to pass laws reflecting their platform, which may include issues like states rights and pro-life legislation.
Furthermore, a party platform is a result of negotiations among various coalitions within the party, ensuring that different interests within the party are represented. It also serves as a signaling mechanism for voters, providing a quick reference to a candidate's likely political beliefs and policy choices. This underscores the need for voters to not only rely on party affiliation but also to research individual candidates and their stances on various issues. Nevertheless, a candidate may not always agree with every aspect of the party platform, sometimes taking a personal position that differs from the party as a whole.