Political Spectrum

1.13.2015 Students will understand the purpose of political parties

Please get out wherever you take notes for this class!

Agenda:1. Hand back Capitalism v Socialism Essays

2. Political Parties Notes

Cap v Soc Essays

● Cannot retake● BUT at the end of the semester you will

be able to re-do either a reading assessment or a writing assessment

● Your worst score will be dropped● What factors influence societies to make

policy decisions?

Political Parties--brainstorm

With your partner, what are the first 5 things you think of when you hear “political parties”?

RatificationAs you know from the chart in your purple packet, eventually all 13 states ratified the Constitution

Bill of Rights added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791● The first Congress was the group that

added them● James Madison was the writer! The Anti-

Federalists convinced him enough during the ratification debates

Historical Context● Madison argued that Constitution would

control “evil” effects of factions (def?)● Some (Edmund Burke) considered parties

necessary to express open opposition to gov’t policies

● Most American leaders opposed Burke, but many agreed that they can “promote deliberation” and “check excesses in the majority”

● Delegates had no true experience with an established party system.

Development of Pol. PartiesIronically, Madison and Hamilton (who were both a part of WHAT GROUP?) become opposing leaders of political parties w/in 10 yrs of ratification

+ vs

Issues that led to party division: 1. Power of National Government ◦ Hamilton – National Gov’t should address any national issue, mentioned in Constitution or not◦ Jefferson – Feared vague national powers and “energetic” use of authority

vs2. Economic Vision◦ Hamilton – National bank “necessary,” ex. Collect taxes, regulate trade ◦ Jefferson – Believed in agrarian society, congress should only act if absolutely and indispensably necessary

3. Foreign Policy ◦ Jefferson – supported France in Napoleonic wars, helped us during Rev. W/ Madison helps create Republican party. ◦ Hamilton – supported GB, more trade and cultural connection.

How many people do you think lined up perfectly with Jefferson or Hamilton? (not everyone)

Party Platforms

● Hamilton and his supporters develop into Federalist party.

● Jefferson/Madison and their supporters developed into the Democratic Republican Party.

The Party Platform● political parties stand for something ● platform—the set of statements describing the

party’s views on all the major issues facing the nation. ● “platform” because it is the set of beliefs the political

party stands on.

Alien and Sedition ActsAdams signs acts that gave him power to deport “dangerous” foreigners and criminalize “seditious” language● Some people saw this as taking away

free speech● Mobilized Republicans for election of

1800. (gave them some momentum)

Our 2nd President John Adams

Revolution of 1800

First election to feature candidates from political parties ● Federalist--Adams,

Hamilton● Republican-

Democrats--Jefferson, Burr Repub. victory symbolized

first transfer of power through election rather than heredity / violence

However, the Election of 1800 exposed problem in Constitution

◦ Jefferson & Burr tie, electors could not specify which would be president. House had to decide.

12th Amendment◦ Vote for Pres. & VP on same ballot

Political Party Growth & Functions

By 1820s, positive vision of parties emerged

Van Buren touts parties with clear principles and offer a clear choice◦ Parties are “glue” that holds federal system / checks and balances together. ◦ Helped president work w/ Congress ◦ Bridged great distances between Washington & people

8th President of the United States

1.14.2015 Students will understand the purpose of political parties

Please get out your notes!

Talk with partner: What is one thing you learned yesterday that you did not know before?

Political Parties TodayDemocrats and Republicans have dominated since 1860s

Purposes of political parties today ◦ Influence Voters◦ Unite Levels of Government

1. Connect Executive and Legislative branches 2. Connect national, state, & local governments ◦ Creation and promotion of party platforms◦ Influence Laws and Policy◦ Create Balance/Stability◦ Support Candidates (mostly financially)

Initialism

Chinchillas--support candidates Practice--influence policyUnicycling--unify levels of gov’tBefore--create balance Voting--influence voters

Criticisms of 2 dominant partiesMutes truly alternative views |--------------------------------D-----------R---------------------------------|

Minor parties (third parties) generally small, with narrow interests. Little to no chance of competing nationally.

If single set of interest gains dominant power w/in a party, threat of majority tyranny.

1.15.2015 Students will understand what political ideology is. Students will understand the concept of a political spectrum and where they land on it.

● Please get out your notes!● THINK: What is one purpose

of a political party?● If needed, grab a laptop now**We are using the internet today,if you can use your phone to access it, GREAT! If not, you are the lucky few to use a COW laptop!

Political Ideology--Notes

Def: One’s basic beliefs about power, how society should work, and the role of government.

● Almost everyone believes that people should be able to lead good lives, people should feel safe, etc.

● People believe differently about how the government should help us do that!

● ^^^This is your ideology!

Political Ideology--Notes

is not black and white...

It falls along a spectrum… left center right

Liberal Moderate Conservative

You don’t have to be one or the other….there are various shades of belief all along the line. A complete range of different opinions.

Think1. Who can you can think of that identifies

as a liberal?2. Who can you think of that identifies as a

conservative?

This could be you, a family member, your friend, a celebrity, the President, ANYONE YOU CAN THINK OF!

For example, school uniforms Almost all people would agree that school should be a safe learning environment for students● Some people would argue that school uniforms make school

safe for all student by taking away outer distractions, potentially limiting bullying about clothes/money/looks

● Others would argue that letting students dress as they please gives them a safe place to be themselves.

People’s ideas about how to make a safe learning environment are different--this is their ideology

1.What is political ideology?2.What is a spectrum?

Political Ideology--REMEMBER!

Def: One’s basic beliefs about power, political values, and the role of government.

● Almost everyone believes that people should be able to lead good lives, people should feel safe, etc.

● People believe differently about how the government should help us do that!

● ^^^This is your ideology!

Pew Research Quiz

1. www.sumner.wednet.edu2. OUR SCHOOLS3. Go to my Teacher Web Page4. Links5. Click on “Political Ideology Quiz”6. DO NOT ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS7. Keep hands above/by head until I say “Answer”8. I will explain each question before you answer

them9. Do not react--Reference our Class Constitution!

Political Ideology Quiz Reflection

● Complete the graphic organizer as a reflection● If there are words you don’t understand in your results,

look up the definition or ask me● Fill out thoughtfully and in full sentences

IdeologyRemember our natural rights unit? John Locke?● Almost everyone in here agreed with him that

we have natural rights to happiness and life, etc.

● But around the room, people have different political ideologies as to how government should support that or how people should live happily.

Extended Learning Option

Sometime before next week, try to have a parent/guardian or adult you trust take this quiz. Talk to them about their results.● Is that what they expected to get?● Are they surprised by the amount of

people that are also in their category?● Have their political viewpoints changed

throughout their life?