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DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS

• *Pro choice *Pro Life• *less support of the war *more support of the war• *support stem cell research *not as supportive of stem cell

research• *pro environment *less regulation of pollution

• *supportive of civil rights of all people *supportive of civil rights for citizens

• *Gun control *Pro 2nd amendment• *less supportive vouchers/private schools *Pro vouchers• *against the death penalty *Pro death penalty• *against prayer in school *for religion in school• *for discussing sex education *for promoting sexual

abstinence• *open to civil unions *against civil unions• *for the tax system as it exists *for revising the tax systems• *for social security *against social security• *for social programs * not as much for social

programs--welfare, arts ,etc• *for big government *more for state’s rights

Party Coalitions TodayParty Coalitions Today

Section 1: Parties and What They Do

A Political Party is-

A group of people who look to control the government and WIN ELECTIONS!

The Two major Political Parties in America are the-1. Democrats & 2. Republicans

A more SPECIFIC definition of political parties-

A group of persons, joined together on the basis of common principles, who seek to control government in order to affect certain public policies and programs.

WHAT DO PARTIES DO?

Parties are the major mechanisms behind the development of broad policy and leadership choices.

They are a VITAL Link between the people and their government.

They are the principal means by which the will of the people is made known to government and by which government is held accountable to the people.

Parties are also the “Power Brokers” they try to bring conflicting groups together.

They modify and encourage Compromise among the contending views of different issues and groups. They soften the impact of extremes at both ends of the political spectrum.

Political Parties Major Function is to nominate candidates for political office.

*****Then the parties work to help that candidate WIN elections.

Informing and Activating SupportersParties inform the people and inspire and activate their interest and participation in public affairs. They inform and inspire by

1. taking stands on the issues

2. campaigning for candidates

3. criticize opposing candidates positions

Each party tries to put their party in the best possible light.

How much money does it take to win an election?

Presidential

• http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/index.php

2012 election priciest to date: $4.2 billion tab and rising

By Jennifer Liberto @CNNMoney November 5, 2012: 6:36 PM ET

113th Congress 2013-2014

HOUSE—

Republicans control

Membership •435 Members

Party Divisions 200 Democrats 232 Republicans 0 Independents 3 Vacancies

SENATE-

Democrats control

Membership •100 Senators(Vice President votes in case of a tie)

Party Divisions •53 Democrats •45 Republicans •2 Independents

http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/cong.aspx

113th Congress by the Numbers

Chart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/113th_United_States_Congress

They conduct the educational process through:

1. pamphlets 2. signs 3. buttons

4. stickers 5. newspaper ads 6. magazine ads

7. radio ads 8. television ads

Remember both parties want to WIN Elections and attract as many voters as possible!

They try to offend as few voters as possible. That is why they are so VAGUE!!!!!

The Bonding Agent Function

When choosing candidates they want to make sure that men and women are:

1. both qualified and 2. of good character

GOVERNINGGovernment in the United States is government by PARTY.

The government conducts much of its business on the basis of PARTISANSHIP.

Define Partisanship:The strong support of the party and its policies

Political Parties were NOT MENTIONED in the Constitution!

However, they have played a significant role in the process of Constitutional Change!

• ACTING AS A WATCHDOG

• The party out of power acts as a “WATCHDOG”. They Criticize the policies and behavior of the Party in Power.

• They try to convince the public to “throw the rascals out”.

They act as the “loyal opposition.”

Congress (Years)# of House

Seats Democrats Republicans Other Vac. Del./Res.

105th(1997-1999)

435 206 228 Independent (1) 0 4/1

106th(1999-2001)

435 211 223 Independent (1) 0 4/1

107th(2001-2003)

435 212 221 Independents (2) 0 4/1

108th(2003-2005)

435 205 229 Independent (1) 0 4/1

109th(2005-2007)

435 202 232 Independent (1) 0 4/1

110th(2007-2009)

435 233 202 Independent (0) 0 4/1

111th(2009-2011)

435 257 178 Independent (0) 0 5/1

112th(2011-2013)

435 193 242 Independent (0) 0 5/1

Election Laws Lock Out Third Parties

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Chapter 5 section 2: The Two Party System 2007 Text

Why a two party system? TRADITION

****Political Parties were not written into the Constitution

First 2 Parties were led by

FEDERALISTS Alexander Hamilton

ANTI-FEDERALISTS Thomas Jefferson

George Washington warned of “the baneful effects of the spirit of party”

THE FORCE OF TRADITION

Once established, human institutions are likely to become self-perpetuating (Old Habits Die Hard!)

Most Americans accept the idea of a two party system because there has always been one.

THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Single member districts--- only ONE candidate wins an election through the “winner take all” system

You don’t need a majority, just a plurality!

Plurality = the most votes

Voters usually face only two viable candidates.

Most voters think a vote for a minor party candidate is a “wasted vote”. Therefore Minor parties do not have wide voter support.

Plus most of American Election Law is PURPOSELY WRITTEN to discourage non-major party candidates!

The 2 major parties work in a bipartisan ( together ) way when it comes to election laws and keeping third parties out of elections!

In presidential Elections there have only been 7 presidential elections where a minor party candidate was able to get their name on all 50 state’s ballots!

Eugene V. Debs was the first to accomplish this in 1912.

Most recently in 1996--- Ross Perot

THE AMERICAN IDEOLOGICAL CONSENSUS

American people have many of the same shared ideals, principles and patterns of belief.

Even though we are a pluralistic (diverse) society.

There is broad Consensus (agreement) on fundamental matters.

Still, the nation is plagued by sharp and unbridgeable political divisions.

Both of the two major parties tend to be MODERATE!

They have to in order to win over the most votes from the electorate.

MULTIPARTY SYSTEMS

Could America become a multiparty system where we have several major and many lesser parties? Most European Democracies have this system.

Multiparty systems tend to produce broader more diverse representation of the electorate (voters). However they also tend to lead to instability in government.

Italy is a prime example of this multiparty system that leads to instability within the government.

ONE PARTY SYSTEM

Really means a NO PARTY system because you have no choices in an Election!

The Soviet Union’s leader Stalin is a prime example of this.

PARTY MEMBERSHIP PATTERNS

Membership is purely VOLUNTARY!!!Democrats— tend to be more women, minorities,

Jews and union membersRepublicans --- tend to be more WASP & , Christian males

Your FAMILY is probably the biggest influence on what party you belong to.

The Two-Party System in American History—Chapter 5 section 3 notes

The Nation’s first parties came out of the ratification process of the Constitution.

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1. FEDERALIST Party 2. ANTI-FEDERALIST Party “Democratic-Republicans”

Led by Alexander Hamilton Led by Thomas Jefferson

“the rich and the well born” “Common Man”

supported the Constitution wanted the Bill of Rights in thew/out a Bill of Rights original Constitution

Wanted a Strong National Government Wanted a Limited Role for theNational Government

more State’s Rights

Believed in a Liberal interpretation Believed in a Strict interpretationof the Constitution of the Constitution

ELECTION of 1800---

Adams, the incumbent loses to ---------JEFFERSON

Federalists die out

ELECTION of 1828--- DEMOCRATIC PARTY

A. Jackson leads

FOUR Major Eras of American Political Parties

Era of the Democrats, 1800-1860

Most support from the South & West

Got voting rights for all white males

Increased the number of elected offices

Spread the Spoils System

Whig Party- 1830’s -1850’s

Eastern Bankers, merchants, industrialistsand southern plantation owners

supported high tariffs 1850’s will lead to division overslavery issue

REPUBLICANS ERA Democrats are crippled by 1860-1932 the Civil War

many Whigs become members “Solid South” is the against slavery only reason they hold on

President Lincoln is their first president

supported by business, farmers,laborers and newly freed slaves

1912 election--- the DIVIDE

TAFT vs. T. Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson (D) the Bull Moose Party

The Return of the Democrats

1932-1968

FDR—elected to four terms!

Truman- finishes FDR’s 4th termand is elected to 1 term

Eisenhower- 2 terms (R)

JFK- 1 term but is assassinated

Johnson- finishes JFK’s termbut is elected to his own term

THE START OF A NEW ERA“Divided Government”

Republicans Democrats

1968-Nixon elected to 2 terms but resigns in 2nd termFord- finishes Nixon’s 2nd term

Carter- 1 termReagan-2 termsGeorge H. W. Bush- 1 term

Clinton- 2 termsGeorge W. Bush- 2 terms

Barrack Obama

The MINOR PARTIESChapter 5 section 4

4 types of Minor parties

1. Ideological--- those based on a particular set of beliefsLibertarian, Communist, Socialist

2. Single Issue ------ focus on one public policy matter

“Know nothings” ( opposed Irish Catholic immigrants)Prohibition—against the making and selling of alcoholGreen Party--- started out for the Environment

now has more issuesRight to Life--- against abortion

3. Economic Protest----

rooted in periods of economic discontentPopulist Party- wanted public ownership

of utilities, lower tariffs Tea Party---today???

4. Splinter Parties—those that split from Major Parties

Bull Moose Party and T. RooseveltProgressive Party of 1924Progressive Party of 1948 (Democrats)G. Wallace and the American Independent Party

1968(anti civil rights-Democrat)

Ross Perot and the Reform Party- 1992 election

WHY ARE MINOR PARTIES IMPORTANT?

--- their ideas get copied by the two major parties

Anti-Masons ---- the National Convention

Populists---- direct election of senators, recall, initiative, referendum, women’s suffrage,Progressive income tax, railroad regulation

They can play the “Spoiler Role” in elections (T. Roosevelt & Ross Perot)

Libertarian Party— Legalization of marijuana?????

They are the critic and innovator!!!

The Decentralized Nature of the parties—no chain of command running from the National to the local party

National Political Party, State Political Party, County Political Party, Local Political Parties

The Role of the Presidency—President is the automatic party leader of his party

Federalism creates a DECENTRALIZED government system---Federal & State

The Nominating Process sometimes leads to fights among party members—2008 Presidential Primary—Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama

Chapter 5—POLITICAL PARTIES section 5- Party Organization

The National Party Machinery---National Convention---occurs once every four years in the year of the

Presidential electionNational Chairperson—helps to create the National Convention

Congressional Campaign Committees—collect $ to re-elect incumbents

Incumbents--(members already in office)STATE & Local Party Machinery--- same goals as National parties but on

a smaller level

The 3 components of the Party

• Party organization—party leaders and those who give their time & money

•Party Electorate- those members who usually vote for their party

•Party in Government—party officeholders who have political positions

The Future of Major Parties—

•A growing number of independents and a reduction of Democrats and Republicans

•Increase in SPLIT TICKET voting—voting for some Democrats and some Republicans

•Technology has changed campaigning and now the candidates rely less on the party

•Growth of Single Issue organizations