Political Parties: What do they do?

What do Political parties do?

Role Description

Select candidates Parties select candidates, present them to voters and work to win elections

Educate voters Parties inform people by presenting information about issues or beliefs through pamphlets, newspapers, radio, tv, speeches, conventions

Roles, continued…

Govern Those who govern are chosen on the basis of party.

Finance campaigns

Parties raise money to ensure that candidates have financial support to run their campaigns

Roles, continued…

Watchdog The party that is not in power criticizes the policies of the party in power.”

Political Parties:

Who are they?What do they want?

Democrats and Republicans

Democrats Today

Democrats • Perceived as the party of big government

• Support Civil rights

• Women’s rights

• Environmentalism

• Programs for the poor

• Pacifism (slow to go to war)

Faces of the democratic party

Who is who? •Barack Obama•Hillary Clinton

• Andrew Cuomo• Joe Biden

Republicans Today!

Republicans• Support public policies that limit the

size of government

• Cut taxes and programs

• Typically support the War on Terror

• Usually against legalization of abortion (pro-life)

• Usually vote against programs to increase the size of the welfare state.

Faces of the Republican party

• Who is who? • Mitt Romney • Chris Christie

• Marco Rubio• John McCain

Map of 2012 Presidential Election Results

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/election-map-2012/president/

Where they stand on the issues

Size of Government: •Democrats: Generally favor a large government•Republicans: Generally in favor of a smaller government

TaxesDemocrats: Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed (Wealthy pay larger percentage than the poor).

Republicans: Against raising taxes

National Defense and Security

Military Spending•Democrats: Tend to cut military budget•Republicans: Believe in a strong military and military spending.

Military Intervention•Democrats: Generally want to avoid military intervention. Believe in peaceful talks. (Slow to War)•Republicans: Believe in using military intervention more quickly to protect American interests

Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care

• Democrats: Think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others.

• Republicans: Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor.

More Stances

Crime and Punishment:Dems – Rehabilitation programs, rights of accused

Reps – Longer prison sentences, favor death penalty

Values – Same Sex Marriage, Equality, Civil Rights:Dems - Tend to support the right for same-sex couples to marryReps - Tend to oppose the right for same-sex couples to marry

Stance on issues

Education:Dems - Tend to be pro-education

Reps - Tend to support cuts in education

Immigration: Dems – Favor looser immigration laws•Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country Reps - Favor stricter immigration laws•Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

Check Out How Each Party Feels About Issues That Are Important to You?Which Party Do You Agree With?

Democrats Republicans