Political PartiesCitizenship: American Government

About the Unit• In the American Government Unit we will be exploring the

following questions:

• What is federalism and how is a part of the United States Government?

• What is the Executive Branch of the United States Government and what is its role?

• What is the Legislative Branch of the United States Government and what is its role?

• What is the Judicial Branch of the United States Government and what is its role?

• What are political parties and what system of political parties is a part of the United States Government?

• What is the electoral process of the United States Government and how are the States involved in this process?

Political Parties• Political Party - A political party is an organization of people

which seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political power in society or government.

• Democracies - Political parties are elected to run a government by the electorate.

• Multi-Party System - Systems in which more than two parties are represented and elected to public office. In cases where there are three or more parties, no one party is likely to gain power alone, and parties work with each other to form coalition governments. Example = Germany.

• Two-Party System - Systems in which there are two political parties dominant to such an extent that electoral success under the banner of any other party is almost impossible. Example = United States

• Single-Party System - Systems in which one political party is legally allowed to hold effective power. Although minor parties may sometimes be allowed, they are legally required to accept the leadership of the dominant party. Example = China

Political Parties in the United States

Political Parties in Practice in the

US...• Democratic Party - Founded in 1828 it promotes an agenda

that is “center-left” or “moderate-liberal” on the political spectrum focusing on partial government control of the economy, social justice, and the promotion of social and economic equality.

• Republican Party - Founded in 1854 it promotes an agenda that is “center-right” or “moderate-conservative” on the political spectrum focusing on free-market economics, limited government, strong national defense, and socially conservative policies.

Current Make-Up of United States Government by Political party

• Democratic Party

• 44/100 Seats in Senate

• 188/435 Seats in House of Reps.

• 18/50 Governorships

• President (Controls Executive Branch)

• Republican Party

• 54/100 Seats in Senate (Controls Senate, Legislative Branch)

• 245/425 Seats in House of Reps. (Controls House of Reps., Legislative Branch)

• 31/50 Governorships