IV. Political IV. Political PartiesParties

IV. Political IV. Political PartiesParties

Famous Campaign Slogans

• “Keep cool with Coolidge”

• “A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage”

• “It’s the Economy, stupid”

Development of Political Parties

Who Said It?

•“Winning isn’t everything it’s the only thing”

•Vince Lombardi

I. Party System•Political Party – Group

with common interest who organize to win elections and control government

•Help people define political beliefs

A. One-Party System • Only one candidate is on a ballot • Communist countries always have

this type of government • Iran – Religious leaders dominate

government • Theocracy – Government

controlled by religious leaders

Iran’s Current President

B. Multiparty System

•Many candidates appear on the ballot

•France – 5 major parties •Italy – 10 major parties

C. Two-Party System • Republican and Democratic

parties are the main parties in U.S.

• System dates back to the Federalist and Anti-Federalist

• Accept two parties because its always been that way

Which Party is Represented by the

Elephant?

Which Animal Represents the

Democratic Party?

D. Role of Minor Parties•Third Party – Any parties besides the main two

•Also called minor parties

 

                       

                        

                                          

    

    

     

  

E. Types of Third Parties

• 1) Single-Issue – Focuses on one major social, economic, or moral issue

• Usually short lived • Fade away after major party adopts

their beliefs • 2) Ideological Party – Focuses on

overall change in society• Socialist and communist parties

• 3) Splinter Party – Splits away from one of the major parties

• Usually led by popular figures • Bull Moose Party – Theodore

Roosevelt splits away from Republican Party

• Results in an easy win for Woodrow Wilson the Democrat’s candidate

Teddy Bear

F. Importance of 3rd Parties

• Have effected the results of elections • 2000 – Ralph Nader took many votes

away from Al Gore• Promote many ideas later adopted by

major parties • Minimum wage, five-day work week,

unemployment insurance, health insurance

G. Political Party Functions

• George Washington warned against the “[harmful] effects of the spirit of party”

• Feared that parties would hinder a democracy

Party Functions

•1) Recruiting Candidates •Seek candidates who can

win •Parties inform the public

about a candidate’s beliefs

• 2) Educate the Public • Bring important issues to the attention

of the public • Platform – Writing of the parties

beliefs and positions on issues • Allows uninformed voters to know how

the candidates stand on key issues

• 3) Operating Government • Play major role in staffing

government • Patronage – Favors given to

reward party loyalty

• 4) Acting as Watchdog• Party out of power in the executive

branch acts as watchdog • Observe party in power, criticize it,

and offer solution • Criticize to better their position in

the next election