Identify and define political parties and their

purposes.

Catherine Trice & Leontyne Browley

What is a political party?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.

• Want to affect certain public policies and programs.

• Issue-oriented.

Major Parties

• In American politics:–Republican–Democratic

• Election-oriented.

Green Party (1984)• Want a more

democratic, safer, and cleaner world.

• Want decisions to be made by the people and not by a few giant corporations. 

• Want sustainable world where nature and human society co-exist in harmony.

Constitution Party:• Seven Principles of the Seven Principles of the

Constitution Party are:Constitution Party are: – 1. Life: For all human

beings, from conception to natural death; individual;

– 2. Liberty: Freedom of conscience and actions for the self-governed.

–3. Family: One husband and one wife with their children as divinely instituted;

–4. Property: Each individual's right to own and steward personal property without government burden;

–5. Constitution: and Bill of Rights interpreted according to the actual intent of the Founding Fathers;

–6. States' Rights: Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government, nor prohibited by the Constitution to the states, is reserved to the states or to the people.

–7. American Sovereignty: American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, and not entangled in foreign alliances.

Libertarian Party:• Third largest political party• Want a world in which all individuals

can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction.

What do they do?

• Essential to democratic government

• Link between the people and their government. –Will of people is made known to

government• Help unify the American people

by encouraging compromising.

FunctionsFunctions1. Nominating candidates:

– Parities select candidates, then present them to the voters

– Help candidates win elections

2. Informing and Activating Supporters:– Inform, inspire, and activate people’s

interest and participation in public affairs– Campaign, take stands on issues, and

criticize opponents– Try to attract many voters and offend as

less as possible.

3. The bonding Agent Function: –To ensure the good

performance of its candidates and office holders.

–Prompts its successful candidates to perform well in office.

–The party will suffer if candidate fails to perform well.

4. Governing:–Public officers chosen of basis

of party–State legislatives are organized

on party lines, and they conduct business on partisanship basis.

*Partisanship: Strong support of party and it’s political stands.