POLITICAL PARTIES and YOU Slide 2 WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY?
Political Party: An organization of individuals with broad, common
interests who organize to win elections, operate the government and
influence government policy. The United States has what is called a
TWO-PARTY SYSTEM which means it is dominated by two major political
parties REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Todays
Democratic party began around 1828 and would be considered
Anti-Federalists. REPUBLICAN PARTY: Todays Republican party began
in 1854 and opposed slavery and would be considered Federalists.
Slide 3 Why do parties exist? Parties exists for many reasons,
among the most prevalent are: Represent the views of people within
their government. Help get like minded people elected to office.
Make changes in existing laws. Help determine the nations future.
Encourage people to take part in their government. Help encourage
change on the social, political and economic level. Help unite the
countys many different people, races, religions and ethnic groups.
Show people that their vote counts. Slide 4 What roles do political
parties play in American Society? Pull people together Ideological
Consensus. Inform the public about issues that concern them. Act as
watchdogs against the actions of rival parties. Act as bonding
agents they help unite people. Act as the publics voice on matters
of public policy. Slide 5 ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES 1. ORGANIZING
POLITICAL PARTIES 2. NOMINATING CANDIDATES FOR POLITICAL OFFICE. 3.
CAMPAIGNING FOR CANDIDATES. 4. INFORMING CITIZENS 5. CARRYING THE
PEOPLES MESSAGE. 6. OPERATING THE GOVERNMENT. 7. LINKING THE
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT 8. ACTING AS A WATCHDOG Usually the
party not in power acts as a watchdog against the abuses of the
party IN POWER Slide 6 WHO ARE DEMOCRATS? Our party was founded on
the conviction that wealth and privilege shouldnt be an entitlement
to rule and the belief that the values of hardworking families are
the values that should guide us. We didnt become the most
prosperous country in the world by rewarding greed and recklessness
or by letting those with the most influence write their own rules.
We got here by rewarding hard work and responsibility, by investing
in people, and by growing our country from the bottom up. Today
Democrats are fighting to repair a decade of damage and grow an
economy based on the values of Main Street, not greed and reckless
speculation. Democrats are focused on rescuing our economy not just
in the short run but also rebuilding our economy for the long runan
economy that lifts up not just some Americans, but all Americans.
Slide 7 WHO ARE REPUBLICANS? This is a platform of enduring
principle, not passing convenience. the product of the most open
and transparent process in American political history. We offer it
to our fellow Americans in the assurance that our Republican ideals
are those that unify our country: Courage in the face of foreign
foes. An optimistic patriotism, driven by a passion for freedom.
Devotion to the inherent dignity and rights of every person. Faith
in the virtues of self-reliance, civic commitment, and concern for
one another. Distrust of governments interference in peoples lives.
Dedication to a rule of law that both protects and preserves
liberty. Slide 8 WHICH POLITICAL PARTY DO I BELONG TO? Which
political party you decide to join is based upon several factors,
which include: 1. Family background 2. Social status 3. Sex /
Gender 4. Religion 5. Education Level 6. Race 7. Age 8. Geographic
Location. Slide 9 Republicans are primarily 30 years or older
White, Mexican-American, Puerto Rican Income is $100,000 or higher
Professional occupations (Lawyers, doctors, CEOs, etc.) College
grads or higher Protestant Attend church regularly Males Rural,
Midwest and NE states Slide 10 Democrats are primarily Between the
ages of 18-30 African-American or Cuban American Lower income
(below $29,999) Manual workers Belong to a workers union No or some
high school or GED Catholics & Jews Dont attend church, or not
often Live in the south, southeast or big cities Females Slide 11
WHAT AM I? Authoritarian Libertarian Liberal Conservative Moderate
Radical Bleeding Heart Liberal Reactionary Ultra Conservative Slide
12 Why do people join political parties? To become civically
involved. To change laws they see as outdated, archaic or no longer
representative of the peoples needs. As a way to express themselves
within their government. To address a specific need that they feel
the current government is not addressing. So they can learn about
the American political process and how it works. A political
candidate has suddenly excited them about being involved in the
political process. Slide 13 TYPES OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS TWO PARTY
SYSTEM: Party system of the U.S. in which the country is dominated
by two major political parties. VS MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM: Party system
in which a country has many major political parties (INDIA, ITALY,
ISRAEL, GERMANY) ONE-PARTY SYSTEM: Party system in which a country
has only one political party and all other parties are outlawed or
severely limited. (CHINA, CUBA, NORTH KOREA) Slide 14 OTHER
POLITICAL PARTIES A. THIRD PARTIES: Often called Minor parties,
these parties are not part of the two major parties because they
have never elected a President to office. SINGLE ISSUE PARTIES:
Parties that organize around a single issue. Prohibition Party
Marijuana Reform Party Usually very short-lived. IDEOLOGICAL
PARTIES: Parties which support a particular philosopher or
doctrine. Communist Party or Socialism INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES:
Political candidates for office who are not supported by any
political party. SPLINTER PARTIES: Occurs when a party splits and
people leave the party over a divisive issue. Slide 15 HOW ARE
PARTIES ORGANIZED? NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON NATIONAL COMMITTEE STATE
CHAIRPERSON STATE COMMITTEE LOCAL CHAIRPERSON CITY, TOWN or LOCAL
CHAIRPERSON PRECINCT CAPTAIN and PRECINCT WORKERS NATIONAL
CONVENTION CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE SENATORIAL COMPAIGN
COMMITTEE Slide 16 WHAT IS A POLITICAL MACHINE? POLITICAL MACHINE:
A political party that becomes so powerful that its candidates are
certain to win every election. Slide 17 WHAT TELLS YOU THE PARTIES
ARE DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER?? PLATFORM: A statement made by each
party that attempts to explain What they stand for or their
principals, beliefs and positions on election issues. PLANK: An
explanation of how the party stands on a certain issue such as
crime, education, immigration, the death penalty etc. Slide 18 What
are Platforms and Planks? A Partys Platform: Specifically
identifies who the party truly represents and some of the ideas
mentioned within their ideology. Makes a strong statement about
what kind of people join their party. A Partys Planks: Are how the
party stands on specific issues such as: The death penalty.
Education The war in Iraq. Affirmative Action Womens rights.
Taxation. Slide 19 HOW DO PARTIES PICK CANDIDATES? PRIMARY
ELECTIONS: Are election in which candidates who want to represent
their party in the general election run against candidates from the
same party. DIRECT PRIMARY: Party members of the same party go head
to head to see who is the best candidate. CLOSED PRIMARY: Only
members from a particular party may vote on candidates running for
office. OPEN PRIMARY: Any registered voter may vote in the primary
and pick a candidate to vote for. Slide 20 CAPTURING THE VOTE
PLURALITY: the act of winning an election based upon the winner
simply having more votes than other candidates, not a majority.
EXAMPLE: Candidate A gets 39 percent of the vote. Candidate B gets
35 percent of the vote. Candidate C gets 26 percent of the vote
Candidate A wins because they have more votes. MAJORITY: The act of
winning an election by winning more than 50 percent of the vote.
PETITION: Non-Affiliated Candidates have to have a certain number
of signatures from voters to be able to have their name printed on
a state or national ballot. Slide 21 How do I get involved? Vote:
voting is the simplest way any American citizen can get involved in
the political process. Join a political party that represents your
views. Join civic organizations that promote understanding our
American Democracy. Discuss important political events and current
topics with your parents. Volunteer to help a political candidate
with whom you agree. Make phone calls, canvas neighborhoods and put
up yard signs. Take part in simulations that let you play the part
of a political candidate or that help you better understand how our
system works. Slide 22 INFLUENCING YOUR GOVERNMENT What can I do to
change my government? Whats Public Opinion and how do polls
determine that? Why does the media seem to favor one person over
another? Whats Propaganda and how do I know when it is being used?
Slide 23 WHAT IS PUBLIC OPINION? Public Opinion: the beliefs and
attitudes that most people have about a particular issue or person.
A. Understanding public opinion can help Presidents make wise and
timely decisions. B. Presidents who depend on public opinion too
much can be hurt by it. America is very diverse, so public opinion
varies from region to region and community to community. Other
factors such as race, sex, religion, economic status, education,
job, and political affiliation can influence public opinion. Slide
24 SOURCES OF PUBLIC OPION PERSONAL BACKGROUND: This includes what
economic status you come from, your religion, education, race, sex,
political affiliation, and are of the U.S. you live. INTEREST
GROUPS: Groups of individuals who unite in order to promote or
support a common cause. (NEA, NOW, NRA, NAARP, AMA, SEIU, UMW, UAW
and other groups) MASS MEDIA: Groups that communicate broadly to
masses of people (Radio, Television, Newspapers, Internet,
Magazines etc. ) Slide 25 Features of Public Opinion DIRECTION:
Measures whether public opinion on a topic is either positive or
negative. A. Are citizens for or against spending more money on
national defense? INTENSITY: Measures the strength of an opinion on
a given matter. B. How far are Americans willing to act on their
views or opinions? STABILITY: Measures how firmly people are
willing to hold to their ideas and views. C. Do peoples hold to
their core beliefs over time? Slide 26 MEASURING PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC OPINION POLL: involves surveying a large amount of people in
order to gain their attitudes and opinions on public issues.
POLLSTERS: A person who specializes in conducting polls and
reporting the results on a regular basis. RANDOM SAMPLES POLLS:
Occur when pollsters sample only a small amount of the population
on a specific issue or topic. Perhaps 1,500 people of all races,
economic backgrounds and religions will take part. PUSH POLLS:
Pollsters also use polls to PUSH you in one direction or another.
Example: Do you think the President is doing a mediocre job or
simply failing the American people? Slide 27 PROBLEMS WITH POLLS
Slide 28 1 Polls often do not capture a true picture of what people
believe.Polls often do not capture a true picture of what people
believe. 2 Political leaders become more interested in pleasing the
public instead of showing leadership.Political leaders become more
interested in pleasing the public instead of showing leadership. 3
Polls can often discourage voting because people feel as if the
election is already over.Polls can often discourage voting because
people feel as if the election is already over. 4 The wishes of the
people may be ignored over the wishes of interests groups or
PACs.The wishes of the people may be ignored over the wishes of
interests groups or PACs. PROBLEMS WITH POLLS
