Do Now:

1.) What is the function of Political Parties?2.) Why would the founding fathers be scared of these early “factions” in American history?

Hamilton Jefferson

Unit 2: Political PartiesAgenda1.) Do Now

2.) Notes on Political Ideology & Political Parties

3.) Political Ideology Survey.

4.) Closure: Where do you stand? (With Exit Slip)

How to tell your left from your right in politics…

First of all, what is politics?

-Politics can be defined as the ways in which people try to influence or control the actions of the government.

-It is a peaceful means of competing for government services and attempting to achieve change within a society.

Political Ideology

• Also known as your philosophy.

• Ideology: Your belief or stance on issues in our government or nation.

Gun Control

Health Care

Taxes

Government Spending

Regulation of business

The Political Spectrum Political Spectrum: A way of representing

different political stances (ideology) in relation to one another.

So..The left and right in politics refers to one’s basic philosophy (ideology).

The Political Left: Individuals, parties and movements that seek wider participation in government and push actively for change and reform.

Liberal: Reasonably satisfied with the status quo but feels improvement is possible and necessary.

Extremists: Insists that the present institutions are corrupt, and need to be replaced, willing to use force to gain these ends.

The Political Right: Individuals, parties and movements that are skeptical of popular government, and generally oppose reformers.

Conservative: Satisfied with the status quo. Skeptical of change, and believe in past tradition, and stability.

Reactionaries: Want to tear down current institutions and return to a past system. Willing to use force to achieve these goals.

The Political Spectrum

Moderates

LiberalsExtremists Conservatives Reactionaries

Most Americans fall between these points on the spectrumThe Left The Right

What factors affect where you stand on the spectrum?

• Ideology: Beliefs about society, individual liberty and government involvement.

•Economic/Financial: Status in a society, income (tax rate), freedom.

•Government regulation: Belief in government involvement. (Individual live, businesses and/or institutions).

•Culture: Community you live in. Family beliefs, values and opinions.

How much do you have to lose?

•Tend to support political and social reform directed from the government.

•Increased federal services and social programs.

•Support government intervention in the economy.

•Supports passing laws to protect individual rights. (Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act).

Viewpoints: Liberals

Viewpoints: Conservatives• Fearful of a strong/powerful National government.

More power to the states and local government.

• Support little government intervention (Laissez Faire approach- Government should have a hands off approach to business).

• Larger Military & supports the right to bear arms.

• Conservative in beliefs about religious, same-sex marriage, and abortion. (Remember tradition)

The Democratic Party is the liberal party in American politics

The Republican Party is the conservative party in American politics

Where do you see yourself on the spectrum?

Where do you stand…

Political Ideology Survey

-For each issue circle the number that you agree with the most.

-Add up the points to figure out where you stand on the Political Spectrum.

Where does the majority of the class stand? Quiz

Closure: ExitYour task:

Using your Notes, Ideology survey and HW

complete the following questions in 4-5

sentences:

• Where do you stand on the Political Spectrum? (Liberal or Conservative)

• Do you believe this is a true depiction of your political ideology?

Agenda: Political Parties

• Do Now: Liberal v. Conservative issues

• Notes on Political Parties

• Political Cartoon Analysis

• CEQ directions

• HW: CEQ- Issue in American Gov

Political Parties

On the Issues….• Social Views

-Same-Sex Marriage

-Gun Control

-Abortion

-Heath Care

• Economic-Government Regulation (Smaller gov v. larger gov)

-Taxes

• Foreign Policy-Military Spending/involvement

What is a Political Party?

• A group of people who try to influence and control the government by getting their members elected to office

Political Party Requirements1.) Share Beliefs-Members should believe in the same political philosophy and be willing to work for the same goals

2.) A Plan - Members should have a plan for what to do if their person is elected; how to turn your philosophy into law

3.) Chance of Success-Members should have a realistic chance of winning an election or gaining support

What do Political Parties do?

1.) Try to create a majority

-In a democracy, power falls to the party who has the most people

2.) Provide electable candidates

3.) Educate voters on the party platform

-a party’s official stand on major public issues

4.) Finance campaigns

5.) Winners to run the government

-The winners of an election can fill open spots with their supporters

The Two-Party System• System where two major political parties

dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government.

• No political party has ever “owned” the government.

• Americans accept the idea of a two party system based on the early days of

• Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans

Republicans

• Political Ideology- Conservative– Pro-life, less taxes for small and large

business, support 2nd amendment, smaller government, and more spending on military.

• Symbol- Elephant

• Color-Red

Democrats

• Political Ideology- Liberal - More government programs, more regulation of

business, pro-choice, gun control and restrictions.

• Symbol- Donkey

• Color- Blue

Why does the US keep the two-party system?

• Stability

-No matter who wins or loses,

there is always a majority

• Size of the Federal Government

-The ideas of a smaller party’s platform will usually be absorbed by a major party, which takes away the need for the party

Role of Third Parties• Third parties, a party other than one of the

two dominant parties, are possible in two-party systems, but have little chance of winning elections.

Third Parties…• Help establish political traditions• Create platforms that are used by

majority parties (can be split off from major party)

• “Spoilers” -take votes away from a major party, which helps the other

Types of Third Parties

1.) Ideological Parties 2) Single Issue Parties

Believe in certain philosophy Focus on a single issue

(ex. Communist Party) (ex. Right to Life Party – abortion)

3) Economic Protest Parties 4) Splinter Parties

Typically form during bad Form by breaking away economic times from a major party

(ex. Tea Party)

What symbols do you see?

How does this relate to this fear of factions?

Do Now:

-What images or symbols do you recognize?

-What is the artist trying to say about political parties?

-Based on this cartoon, what is the role of the political party?

It’s party time…• Political Party Jigsaw Activity

Expert Group: (25 minutes)

1.) Read about your political party

2.) Complete notes on Party using graphic organizer

Share:

1.) Each member of the group introduces their party and the position on their party on 3 Issues

2.) Complete graphic organizer