Political Parties

Who they are and what they do

For you…

What is the purpose of a political party?

What are some of the functions that they carry out?

What is the party in power in Kansas? the USA?

What is a Party?

A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections

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

Republicans and Democrats Principle and issue oriented or election oriented?

What do Parties do?

Link between the people and their government Between the governed and the govern

Encourage compromise among the contending views of different interests and groups Unify more than divide

What do Parties do?

Nominating Candidates Name candidates for public office Help them get elected

Nominating is almost exclusively a party function

What do Parties do?

Informing and Activation Supporters Inform the public Inspire and activate their interest and

participation in public affairs Take firm stances on issues Criticize opposition

Does this through… Pamphlets, signs, buttons, stickers, TV, radio,

Internet, etc.

What do Parties do?

Bonding Agent Function Makes sure that the individuals nominated or

running for office with that parties name attached are not unqualified for the office they seek

If it fails to assume this responsibility, both the party and its candidates may suffer the consequences in the future elections.

What do Parties do?

Governing Government by party

People chosen, often done so because of party Partisanship—the strong support of the party and its

policy stands

Election of a president without parties would be impractical

Funding Support

• Financially• Voting Base

What do Parties do?

Acting as Watchdog Usually seen of the party our of power

Criticizes the policies and behavior of the party in power

Party in Power—party that controls the executive branch of government

“the loyal opposition”—opposed to party in power but loyal to the people and the nation

The Two-Party System

The Two-Party SystemVideo: Odd One Out: Third Parties in a Two-

Party SystemQuestions to answer:

Would our country be better off if more third-party candidates ran for office, or fewer? Why?

More- raise issues that major parties are reluctant to raise Fewer- “spoiler effect”

How would politics in America be different if we had a true multiparty system?

Government might be more chaotic and less stable with frequent party and leadership turnover

Parties might be more responsive to citizens as there would be more competition, and citizens would have more choices at the polls

The Two-Party System

The Historical Basis Not written in to the constitution, but…

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists• Fought over the constitution• Many denounced these parties as bad for the country

Factions Disunity of the country

The parties today take a firm stand on issues, but they tend to be middle of the road ideas

Self-perpetuating

The Two-Party System

The Electoral System Reinforces two-party systems by the winner-take-all

approach Just need plurality of the votes to carry a state “Voters usually face only two viable choices”

Vote for candidate holding office Vote for candidate with the best chance of displacing

incumbent Parties Act in a Bi-Partisan manor:

Much of the above was created by the two main parties to “preserve, protect, and defend…the two-party system”

The Two-Party System

What is unique about our two-party system? Despite differences of ethnic, racial, religious

and other social groups, most people fit in to the two-party system

Consensus—a general agreement among various groups on fundamental matters

The Two-Party System pg: 122-124

1. What is a multi-party system?

2. Define a coalition, incumbent, plurality,

3. In recent decades, different groups aligned themselves up with different parties. Who did the Catholics align themselves up with? White Males?

4. What are 4 factors that influence party choice?

Review Quiz—From Handout1. Explain how each of the following factors

perpetuates the two-party system. The Historical Basis The Electoral System

2. In a multiparty system, what are each of the different parties based on?

3. What are the arguments for and against the multiparty system?

4. Who, in the past years, votes Democrat?

5. Who, in the past years, votes Republican?

Review Quiz—Answers worth: 7pts1. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists & Reinforces two-

party systems by the winner-take-all approach, Just need plurality of the votes to carry a state, “Voters usually face only two viable choices” (2pts)

2. Each is based on a particular interest (economic class, religious beliefs, etc.) (1pt)

3. For: more responsive to the people, more broad representation Against: instability in the government (2pts)

4. African Americans, Catholics, Jews and union members (1pt)

5. White males, Protestant, and business community (1pt)

Republicans and Democrats

Things to know from both hand-outs and the book: Identify the origins of each of the parties. Identify the major ideas presented in the

different eras of each party ex: what did the Republican party do during the

Reconstruction Years Who supports these parties today?

Quiz Tuesday—You may use your notes on the quiz

Minor Parties

Ideological Party Single Issue Party Economic Protest Party Splinter Party

Strictly from the name, which idea would incorporate your party. Why do you think so.

Ideological Party

Party based on a particular belief set Comprehensive view of social, economic, and political

matters Most built on some aspects of Marxist thought

Socialist Socialist Labor Socialist Worker Communist Libertarian

• Calls for doing away with most of government’s present functions and programs

Long-lived Parties

Single-Issue Parties

One Public-Policy Names usually indicate parties concern

Free Soil Know Nothings—Irish-Catholic Immigration Green Party

Goal not to win election, but to win attention Have the major parties take up the issues

Economic Protest Parties

Rooted in economic discontent No real clear-cut ideological base

Proclaim disgust with major parties Demand better times

Focus Anger on real or imaginary enemies Wall Street bankers Railroads Foreign imports

Parties Greenback Party Populist Party

Splinter Party

Break-away from or “splinter” from a main party

Differ on some issuesUsually form around a strong or

charismatic leaderParties

Bull Moose Party Progressive Party States’ Rights Party (Dixiecrat)

Minor Parties

What is the difference between:

Ideological Party Single Issue Party Economic Protest Party Splinter Party

Give one example of each

Quiz- Political Parties

1. List and describe 3 things that Political Parties do.2. What is the historical reason for the two-party system?3. What are the arguments for the multiparty system?4. For each of the following minor parties, describe what

the party is and does, as well as an example of each…1. Ideological Party2. Single Issue Party3. Economic Protest Party4. Splinter Party

5. What is gerrymandering?6. What does the U.S. Constitution say about

congressional districts?7. How much of the population is represented by each

member in the House?8. What year did the government set a specific number

for congressmen?