The document discusses various concepts related to political parties in the United States, including: - Mugwumps, a group opposed to patronage who were also known as Progressives. - Realigning periods, times when party loyalties shifted among groups. - Political parties, which George Washington denounced as factions and which represent groups with similar ideologies and nominate candidates. - Split ticket and straight ticket voting, and how split ticket voting increased between 1960-1980 contributing to a decline in party strength.