Do Now:

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Do you think we need political parties?

Bark.

If you could create your own political party – what would it be?

“How can one conceive of a one party system in a country that has over two hundred

varieties of cheese?”…Charles de Gaulle (about France)

Think about this….

Questions to think about Leave a space below each.

• What is a political party?• What are the three (3) areas of political parties?• What type of political systems exist today?• What do political parties do?• How do you become a member of a political party?• What is a political platform?• What are planks?• What is another name for a multi-party government?

What is a political party?

• Group of people who want to win elections

• Want to operate within government determine public policy

• Parties provide a link between citizens and their government

What are the three (3) components of political parties?

1. The Electorate:• Made up of

nation’s voters• Those who

always (or almost always) vote for party candidates

• No requirements, regulations, dues, etc. to be a member

2. Party Organization:• Political parties are

organized in all levels of gov’t {Federal, State, Local}

• Those that run/control the party machinery

• Raise money, seek candidates, plan conventions and help during elections

3. Role of Party in Government:

• In govt. party consists of all members that won election and hold office

• Once in office, party works to get their members in office to vote for certain laws.

What are four types of political parties?

Ideological Splinter: Single Issue Economic Protest and/or Farm/Labor Parties

Parties based on a belief system and/or philosophy.

Example: Communist Party, *Right to Life (*also a single interest party), Libertarian.

Parties that split off from a traditional party.

Political faction, that has broken away from a parent group.

Example:“Dixie-crats” 1948 broke off Democratic Party due to civil rights issues.

Parties formed on a single issue:

Example:Right to Life Party (anti-abortion), Legalization of Marijuana, etc.

Parties formed current economic conditions:

Example:Flat Tax Party

What type of political systems exist today?

• Two Party System: 2 major parties dominate U.S.

• Republican and Democrat• The U.S. had 3rd parties but

they do not hold major roles• U.S. elective process supports

a two party system – candidate can win by plurality (largest amount of votes)

• One Party System: One (1) party system: one party dominates the government.

• Examples: former USSR, Cuba, China (Communist Party)

• Multiparty System: more than 2 exist can compete for major elections.

• These are called Coalition Governments – many European nations have this system (Italy, France, Germany)– can be bureaucratic

Third Parties

• Parties that don’t fit into one category

• Tea Party: and is generally recognized as conservative, libertarian and endorses reduced govt. spending, lower taxes, reduce national debt and adhere to strict original interpretation of the Constitution.

The Green Party

• The Green Party of the United States of America emphasizes environmental issues. Social justice, respect for diversity, nonviolence.

• Some key values are: future sustainability, feminism and gender equality, equal opportunity and personal global responsibility

• The Green Party does not accept donations from corporations – no corporate or media influence over government

• influence and control over government, media, and American society at large.

Do Now: Which quote do you relate to the most?

How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

~Will Rogers

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. ~George Jean Nathan

“The next time they give you all that civic crap about voting, keep in mind that Hitler was elected in a full, free democratic

election” – George Carlin

What do Political Parties Do?

• Select candidates – recruit, nominate • Party endorsement is called: nomination• In order to come up with 1 person for political

office a Primary is held• Primary Election: held by party to decide on

final candidate who will run• Each party has a stand on issues – uses media

to get message to public

What do people do?

• Public becomes involved: party headquarters, canvassing, flyers, calling, etc.

• Political parties work together in congress to make laws regarding issue – eventually MUST work together

• Parties: organize and run campaigns.

Why Parties are Good

• Parties simplify the choice among candidates. • Without party labels, voters must examine each

candidate which requires a lot of time, energy. • Learning a lot about each candidate for one office does

nothing to help decide other offices. With party labels, voters can examine the party’s platform which requires less time, energy

• Knowledge of party platforms does help decide ALL other offices

• **Political parties make it easier to hold leaders accountable

How do you become a member of a Political Party?

• In the U.S. you can identify with any party you want – nothing else is required.

• In order to vote in primaries: must register as a party member – in regular elections you can be independent.

• You can register to vote at a post office, county board of elections and even when you get your driver’s license due to the NYS “Motor-Voter” Law

• Party Platform: Party’s stand on issue – official positions in reference to crime, drugs, welfare, taxes, education, etc.

• Every party adopts a platform every 4 years

• Every issue is called a plank

Do Now:

After learning about political parties, do you feel like they are necessary?

Why? Or Why Not?

Questions to think about

• What is a political party?• What are the three (3) areas of political parties?• What type of political systems exist today?• Who are the electorate?• What do political parties do?• What is a primary?• How do you become a member of a political party?• What is a political platform?• What are planks• What is another name for a multi-party government

Do Now: Review for test

1. You will need a partner and your notes2. With your partner – you will discuss the answers

to each review question on the board – make sure there is discussion.

3. When you agree on an answer – both of you try to summarize it as briefly as possible

4. Take turns writing down brief answers5. When the writing is done– the one who wrote will

have their partner read it out-loud to them

Do Now

Please read;What is a Political Platform

&Prepare for Test

DO NOW: Political Parties –Prepare for Test

• You will need a pen or a pencil• You can write on the test• Yes, like I said ---you can write on the test• Yes, you do have to take this• Yes, you may use the review guide you made

yesterday.• No, I’m not kidding.• Yes. You can write on the test. • Good Luck – please begin!