1. Political Parties
Chapter 5 – Pgs

2. Does our constitution mention political parties?
A group of people organized to influence government through winning elections and setting public policy
Does our constitution mention political parties?

3. What type of party system does the United States have?
Party Systems
One-Party System
A political system in which only one party exists or routinely controls the government
Two-Party System
A political system in which only two major parties compete for control of the government
Multiparty System
A political system in which may parties exist and compete for control of the government
What type of party system does the United States have?

4. Roles of Political Parties
Getting Out Information
Publicize points of view
Campaign for candidate
Criticize opponent
Public develops opinions about society’s problems
Running the Government
Legislatures= organized by party affiliations
Think of party’s position when voting
Recruiting & Labeling
Selecting candidates
Help voters identify a candidate’s political views
Acting as Watchdogs
Minority = critics
Majority = Monitor party in power

5. Influence of Parties in the U.S.
The Parties & Voters
How do you join a political party?
Independent: a voter who does not belong to or consistently support one of the main political parties
Party Organization
Top-down decision-making vs. bottom up decision-making
Grassroots: people at the local level; average voters, not professional politicians
The Party & Government
Senate & House of Rep. – majority party leads legislative process vs. minority party (must pay attention to party politics if they want success)

8. America’s Two-Party System
Why does the U.S. only have two parties?

9. America’s Two-Party System
Historical Influence
Tradition
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists
American Political Beliefs and Values
Consensus – collective opinion, general agreement
Winner-Take-All System
An electoral system in which the person with the most votes
wins; no majority is needed
Winner only needs one more vote than opponent
Single-member district: an electoral district in which only the one candidate with the most votes is elected to office

10. One or two-party system in the United States?

11. The History of Political Parties in American History

12. The First Party System 1796-1828
Alexander Hamilton, co-founder of the Federalist
Economic stability = national bank
Strong central government
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison & James Monroe
Anti-federalists
Democratic-republicans (later)
States’ rights & state banks

13. The First Democratic Era
Election of 1828 – Thomas Jefferson
Democratic party formed
Elevate opportunities for “ordinary citizens”
Eliminate privileges for the elite
Who nominates president?
Opposition Party: the Whigs
Henry Clay & Daniel Webster
North vs. South

14. The Republican Era 1860-1932 Republicans – 1850s anti-slavery party
Candidate: Abraham Lincoln, election of 1860
Civil War
South = democratic
North = republican
History of Republican Party:
Sarah Palin Meets Abraham Lincoln:

15. The Second Democratic Era
Great depression
Republican party down, Democratic party up
President Franklin Roosevelt (D) – 1932
New Deal Coalition – help country recover
Help labor, the working classes & minorities
President Lyndon Johnson (D)
President Dwight Eisenhower (R)
Democrats control Congress and dominate state & local elections

16. The Era of Divided Government
1968-Present
Civil Rights
Democratic party = pro-civil rights
Lose southerners to Republican party
The Vietnam War
Divided government
President Jimmy Carter (D)
President Bill Clinton (D)
Split ticket: a vote for candidates of more than one party in the same election
Difference between Republicans and Democrats:
Daily Show’s Take on Republicans:
Daily Show’s Take on Democrats:

17. The Present (2013) President: Barack Obama (Democrat) Governors:
30 Republicans
19 Democrats
1 independent
Senate:
Democrat (53)
Republican (45)
Independent (2)
House of Representatives
Democratic (200)
Republican (232)
Vacant (3)

18. Congress House Leadership (current)
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Majority Party
Minority Party

19. Party Control of Governor’s Offices (2013)

20. Results of the United States House of Representatives elections
Results of the United States House of Representatives elections. November 6,    Democratic hold, Democratic pickup, Republican pickup, Republican hold

21. United States House of Representatives (November 6, 2012)

22. United States Senate (November 6, 2012)

23. Libertarians What is a Libertarian?
Individual liberty: especially of thought and action.
Personal Responsibility
Strongly oppose any government interfering in their personal, family and business decisions
Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.
In a nutshell: smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
Are Libertarians liberal or conservative?
Neither
Advocate freedom in economic matters
Socially tolerant

24. What does the term “Tea Party” mean?
The Tea Party movement is:
American political movement that advocates strict adherence to the United States Constitution
Reducing U.S. government spending and taxes
Reduction of the U.S. national debt and federal budget deficit

25. Liberals v. Conservatives cont’d
Philosophy
Liberal
Conservative
Traditionally strong in states:
California, Massachusetts
Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas
Symbol:
Donkey
Elephant
Color:
Blue
Red
Founded in:
1824
1854
Website:
Senate Leader:
Harry Reid
Mitch McConnell
Chairperson:
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Reince Priebus
Famous Presidents:
Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter
Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon

26. Liberals v. Conservatives
Philosophy:
Liberal
Conservative
Economic Ideas:
Favor minimum wages and progressive taxation i.e. higher tax rates for higher income brackets.
Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including the wealthy) and that wages should be set by the free market.
Stand on Military issues:
Decreased spending
Increased spending
Stand on gay marriage:
Support (some Democrats disagree)
Oppose (some Republicans disagree)
Stand on abortion:
Should not be made illegal; support Roe v. Wade (some Democrats disagree)
Should not be legal; oppose Roe v. Wade (some Republicans disagree)
Stand on Death penalty:
While support for the death penalty is strong among Democrats, opponents of the death penalty are a substantial fraction of the Democratic base.
A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty.
Social and human ideas:
Based on community and social responsibility
Based on individual rights and justice