POLITICAL PARTIES

Ch. 5 - Political Parties

• Political Party - a group of people who seek to control gov’t by being elected to office

• Made up of people who believe similar things about gov’t and how it should run

What Do Political Parties Do?

• Choose candidates for office• Inform voters about gov’t

issues• Govern according to their

beliefs• Serve as a watchdog on the

party in power

The Two-Party System

• Originated over the debate on the Constitution (Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists)

• We keep it because of its long tradition and how well it works in the electoral system

• Today, our two main parties are the Democrats and the Republicans

Partisanship

• Partisan – to vote/do things according to your political party• Partisan issues are favored by ONE

party

Bipartisan – the two parties work together

Nonpartisan – not favoring one political party or the other

Other Types of Party Systems

• Multiparty System - where there are several major and minor parties that compete and win office

• One Party System - where only one political party is allowed (ex: dictatorships)

Political Ideologies

• Political Ideology - your political belief system (what you believe about how gov’t should work)

Liberalism

Liberals believe in:• The freedom of the individual to make

choices• Less gov’t control of private life• More gov’t control of economy /

business• Social justice - making sure everyone

is on an equal playing field• More likely to change with the times

(support radical/sudden political change)

Conservatism

• Conservatives believe:• The individual is connected to society • More gov’t control of moral issues /

private life• Less gov’t control of economy /

business• Competition is a good thing (not

everyone will be on the same level)• less likely to change over time/support

slow political changes bit by bit

Are You a Democrat or a Republican? Quiz

• Take out a sheet of paper and number #1-10.

• Read each statement and choose the option (“A” or “B”) that BEST describes your beliefs about gov’t

1.) BUSINESS

• A. Competition in the economy helps people become successful, but if the government controls businesses, it will kill success.

• B. Businesses need to be regulated to keep big companies from taking advantage of people. It keeps things fair.

2.) GUN CONTROL

• A. Increasing gun control will help cut down on gun violence and shootings.

• B. Owning a gun is your second amendment right. Criminals will not follow gun laws.

3.) TAXES

• A. If you earn more money than the average American, you should pay higher taxes. It's only fair.

• B. Rich people shouldn't be punished by having to pay higher taxes – they earned that money through fair competition and hard work.

4.) ABORTION

• A. No woman has the right to end the life of a fetus. Abortion is murder.

• B. The government has no right to tell women what to do with their bodies, including when they're pregnant. Abortion is a choice.

5.) WELFARE

• A. It is not the government's job to provide everything for the people. People should not rely on the government for help, but instead should be responsible for their own success.

• B. When times are hard, the government should provide for the people. Everyone in society should share the load and help those less fortunate by using taxes to pay for programs.

6.) GAY MARRIAGE

• A. Marriage is a right of all individuals, and all persons should be given marital status, regardless of sexual orientation.

• B. Marriage is a traditional union between a man and a woman only, and only heterosexual couples should be given marital status.

7.) ENERGY

• A. Oil and coal are natural resources that are easily obtained and have been proven for centuries to be useful forms of energy.

• B. Cleaner energy sources such as wind and solar power should be invested in to create a more environmentally friendly nation.

8.) HEALTHCARE

• A. People should be able to make their own decisions about their medical needs--therefore the healthcare system should be in the form of several companies that you can choose from.

• B. The government should provide national healthcare to ensure that everyone has access to medical coverage.

9.) IMMIGRATION

• A. Immigrants should be encouraged to come to the country through work-related programs. Immigrants may become citizens through a variety of ways, including service in the armed forces.

• B. Border control must be tightened to keep illegal immigrants from coming into the country. Immigrants must become citizens through the traditional means, and should not be given citizenship through army service.

10.) DEATH PENALTY

• A. Horrible crimes deserve horrible punishment, and the death penalty is a valid punishment for the worst of crimes.

• B. Criminals should be given a second chance at rehabilitation, no matter what their crime. The death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment.

Liberals: What Democrats Believe

• More gun control• Pro-choice (pro-abortion)• Clean / green energy solutions• More gov’t control of business and

economy• Higher taxes for rich people• Gov’t should provide for the people in

times of need• Marriage equality• Amnesty (forgiveness) for illegal

immigrants• Anti-death penalty

Conservatives: What Republicans Believe

• Less gun control• Pro-life (anti-abortion)• Use of natural resources for energy• Less gov’t control of economy /

business• Lower taxes on rich will help economy• People should not rely on gov’t• Tradition marriage• Strict border control of immigration• Pro-death penalty

Third (Minor) Parties

• Smaller political parties outside the major two parties (Repub. and Dem.)

• 4 types: ideological, single-issue, splinter, and economic protest

Ideological Parties

• Third parties that are based on a particular political belief system• Ex: libertarians, socialists, and

communists

Single-Issue Parties

• Third parties that focus on ONE particular topic/idea• Ex: Free Soil, Know-Nothing,

and Green Parties

Splinter Parties

• Third parties that break off from the Democrat or Republican parties

• Disagree with main party, so they form their own with some of the same ideas• Ex: Progressive (Bull Moose)

Party

Economic Protest Party

• Third parties that focus on improving the economy, money systems, and business

• Ex: Greenback Party and Populist (People’s) Party

Why Third Parties are Important

• 1.) They often point out what is wrong with the two main political parties (serve as a watchdog)

• 2.) Give people other options to vote for in elections

• 3.) Bring fresh ideas to gov’t

• 4.) Can split a major party vote (and change an election)

Party Platforms

• The principles/beliefs that a political party stands on

• Individual issues are called “planks”, which can be added and removed by the party

Create Your Own Third Party

• 1.) Choose a type of third party (is your party splinter, single-issues, etc.?) and give it a NAME. (ex: The ____ Party)

• 2.) Construct your party’s platform with what your party believes (be specific!) – at least 5 detailed points.

• 3.) Create a symbol to represent your party (animal, person, etc.); think about a slogan/saying too!

Independents

• Favor neither party (are neutral/in the middle)

• Usually vote for candidates they think will do the best job

Ch. 5 Quiz

• political party• partisan• bipartisan• nonpartisan• political

ideology

• ideological party

• single-issue party

• splinter party• economic

protest party• platform