Political Parties

SSCG8A: The Student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state and national elections.a. Describe the organization, role and constituencies of political parties.

Bell Ringer

In one well-written paragraph, please explain how you can take an active role in the Political Process.

(What can you do? Why is this important? How does your role relate to Democracy?)

Vocabulary

Political Party: A group of people that try to control and influence the government by getting people elected to political office

Major Party: Political parties that are supported by a large number of people and have significant influence the government

Minor Party: A political party that is not supported by a large number of people

Purposes of Political Parties

Nominate Candidates Narrow down voters’ choices, select candidates that best

represent the ideology of the party Develop a Platform

Goals and statements that clarify the goals of the elected officials in the party

Educate the Public Primarily about the candidates in the party, but also on key

focus issues Rally Voters

Motivate people to TURN OUT to vote “Bonding Agent”

Makes sure candidates are qualified and stick to party ideals while in office- “gluing” the party together

America’s two party system

Political parties are NOT mentioned in the Constitution

But, America has a TWO PARTY SYSTEM Benefits of a two party system:

Stability Continuity

Why do we have a two party system? Started with Federalists and Anti Federalists Once two major viewpoints were established, we

naturally evolved to a 2 party system- and now, its all that we know

It is difficult for a minor party to be successful in elections

Major and Minor Parties

In the United States, our major parties are REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS

Political ideology: Republicans: tend to be more

conservative Democrats: tend to be more liberal

Liberal Support for greater

government control/regulation in economic matters and less government control/regulation of individual matters.

LibertarianSupport for minimal

government control of both economic and social issues

ConservativeSupport for less

government control/regulation in economic matters and greater government control/regulation of individual matters.

TotalitarianSupport for

complete government control of economic and social issues

Govt.

Control

Economic Issues

Libertarian

Conservative

Totalitarian

Liberal

Govt.Control

Freedom

Extreme: Socialism, Communism

Extreme: Laissez-Faire, Monopoly

Economic liberals favor broad government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.Favor higher taxes, particularly progressive (based on income level).

Programs assisting the poor such as Medicaid and Head Start.

Redistribution of income (welfare; social security).

Anti-trust legislation.Sympathize with labor in Labor-Management issues.

Economic conservatives favor limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.Favor lower taxes, particularly regressive (flat tax, sales taxes).

Fewer programs with the goal of redistributing income (private charitable assistance; invest own money for retirement).

Oppose government regulation of market choices.

Sympathize with business in Labor-Management issues.

The Symbols

Over time, symbols have been associated with the political parties

Originally, the parties did not CHOOSE their symbols

Political cartoonists startedusing them as a way to poke fun at the parties

Thomas Nast was actually the cartoonist responsible for the creation of these animals in his political cartoons. Nast’s cartoons were published in Harper’s Weekly, and he is considered the man behind these symbols

Similarities of Major Parties in U.S.

All value personal rights, freedoms

Educational opportunities for all

Economic opportunities for all

Government duty- to protect nation

Preserve environment Help citizens

Differences

Disagree on ways to meet goals Example:

Democrats- government directly helps the poor

Republicans- government helps economy and poor get jobs

Third parties Third parties or minor parties are OTHER

parties in the United States that have a smaller support base

There are several types: Ideological party: united by a belief in a political

ideology (i.e. communist party) Single Issue party: united by their support of ONE

major issue (i.e. Green Party- the environment) Economic Protest: United by dissatisfaction with a

current economic situation Splinter party : A group of major party supporters

that have split away from the major party