Chapter 5: Political Parties

Section 1

What is a political party?

a group of persons who seek to control GOVERNMENT through the winning of ELECTIONS and the holding of public office

Section 1

What are the TWO major parties?

REPUBLICAN and DEMOCRATIC parties

Who can we associate with these two parties?

When do we hear about these two parties?

What do we know about these two parties?

Section 1

What do parties do?

NOMINATE CANDIDATES: major function. Parties select candidates and present them to voters, then work to help them win elections.

What candidates can we think of?

Section 1

What do you think I mean when I say inform and activate supporters?

Inform and activate supporters: INFORM THE PEOPLE, INSPIRE VOTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. THEY DO THIS THROUGH PEOPLES’ INTERESTS. INFORM THEM OF THEIR PARTY’S VIEW.

Section 1

BONDING AGENT

ensure the good performance of candidates and officer holders. Make sure they are qualified and have a good character.

Section 1

GOVERNING:

organized along party lines

PARTISANSHIP:

Strong support of a party and its policy stands. Cooperation among legislative and executive branches. GOVERNMENT provides these channels

Section 1

acting as a WATCHDOG:

over conduct of the public business. the party in power controls the executive branch. the party out of power criticizes the party in power and tries to convince the people to vote them out.

Section 2

MINOR PARTY

one of the many political parties without wide voter support.

Can you think of any?

Section 2

TWO PARTY SYSTEM:

Republican and Democrats. Only those two parties have a reasonable chance of winning office.

Section 2

Why a two party system?

Historical basis

ROOTED IN BEGINNINGS OF THE NATION ITSELF. NOT PRESENT IN CONSTITUTION BUT THEY DEVELOPED

Section 2

FORCE OF tradition.

Self-perpetuating. The people accept the two party system because that is the way it has always been done.

Section 2

Electoral system

What does electoral sound like?

single member district: CONTESTS IN WHICH ONLY ONE CANDIDATE IS ELECTED TO EACH OFFICE ON THE BALLOT. WINNER TAKE ALL

bipartisan: COMMON GROUND AND THEY WORK TOGETHER

Section 2

IDEOLOGICAL CONSENSUS: Not as deeply divided as in other countries. both parties are relatively moderate

Section 2

Multiparty system: several major and lesser parties exist, SERIOUSLY COMPETE FOR and actually win public office

Are we a multiparty system?

Usually based on an interest

Power is shared in a COALITION: a temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control the government

Section 2

ONE PARTY SYSTEM: Usually, but not always, in a dictatorship. ONE party allowed

Section 2

Party Membership Patterns

In recent years....these are generalizations, keep that in mind!

What do I mean by this?

Likely to be Democratic: African-American, Catholic, Jewish, in a Union

Likely to be Republican (GOP): white, male, Protestant, in business, involved in the community

Section 3 (quick)

First National Parties

FEDERALISTS: supported the Constitution, rich and well born, wanted a strong national government

JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICANS: Wanted a limited role of the central government

Section 3

Four major eras

Era of Democrats 1800-1860

Era of Republicans 1860-1932

Return of Democrats 1932-1968

New Era - Divided government (one party holds legislative, one party holds Executive)

THESE ARE GENERALIZATIONS, DO NOT FORGET!!!!! (not always the case)