Chapter 5: Political Parties. What is a Political Party? (5.1) What is a political party? ◦ Shared...
Transcript of Chapter 5: Political Parties. What is a Political Party? (5.1) What is a political party? ◦ Shared...
Chapter 5: Political PartiesChapter 5: Political Parties
What is a Political Party? What is a Political Party? (5.1)(5.1)
What is a political party?◦Shared political beliefs◦Seek to win elections to control gov’t
113th Congress – Senate 113th Congress - HR
What do Political Parties do? What do Political Parties do? (5.1 (5.1
cont)cont)
A link between the people and the gov’t.4 main jobs of political parties
◦Nominating candidates – main function of PP Must be credible candidates and good once
elected
◦Informing & Activating Supporters Campaigns, commercials, pamphlets, rallies, etc.
◦Governing Many of our politicians are chosen by party. They
must follow the party – Partisanship Encourages compromise within the gov’t
◦Acting as a Watchdog Mostly done by the party out of power - Romney
Obama
Different types of Party Different types of Party Systems Systems (5.2)(5.2)
Multiparty Systems◦Most of Europe◦Many parties have a real chance of
winning◦Each party has a different agenda◦Positives & Negatives
More choice, more diverse rep., more instability
◦Coalition to win support of majorityOne-Party Systems (aka “No Party”)
◦Dictatorships◦Certain areas of America
British Parties British Parties
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/state-of-the-parties/
America’s Two-Party America’s Two-Party System System (5.2)(5.2)
Minor parties exist, but only 2 major parties have a real chance to win
Why a two-party system?◦Tradition – Federalists and Anti-Fed◦Electoral system – laws help major
parties◦American Ideological Consensus
Evolution of the Two-Party Evolution of the Two-Party systemsystemThe history of American politics can be
broken up into 4 erasThe Era of the Democrats, 1800-1860
◦Began with Jefferson The Era of the Republicans, 1860-
1932◦Civil War (Lincoln) - Depression
The Era of the Democrats, 1932-1968◦FDR - Nixon
Divided Government◦Mistrust
The Future of the Two-Party The Future of the Two-Party SystemSystem
Probably will weaken◦More independents◦Split-ticket voting◦Primary Elections◦Technology helps
Timeline of election results
Minor PartiesMinor PartiesWide varietyHave little (if any) chance of
winning.Importance:
◦Innovators◦Critics◦Spoiler
Examples:◦Green, Reform, Libertarian, Tea, Right
to Life, Communist
Democrats vs. Democrats vs. RepublicansRepublicansMany factors influence political
socialization◦Geography, Gender, Age, Race,
Education, Income, Occupation, Religion
◦Family◦Often, these factors conflict
Issues
Democrats (Liberal, Left) Republicans (Conservative, Right)
Symbol
Leaders
Government size
Business
Taxes
Abortion
Social Spending
Defense Spending
Immigration
Death Penalty
Same-sex marriage
Affirmative Action
Domestic (ANWR) Drilling
Kyoto Treaty
Crime
School Vouchers
Three strikes law
Minimum Wage
Social Security
Health Care
Religion
World Peace
Gun Control