1. Do Now: 1. ) What is the function of Political Parties. 2
Do Now: 1.) What is the function of Political Parties? 2.) Why would the founding fathers be scared of these early “factions” in American history?
Jefferson
Hamilton

2. Unit 2: Political Parties
Agenda
1.) Do Now
2.) Notes on Political Ideology & Political Parties
3.) Political Ideology Survey.
4.) Closure: Where do you stand? (With Exit Slip)

3. How to tell your left from your right in politics…

4. First of all, what is politics?
-Politics can be defined as the ways in which people try to influence or control the actions of the government.
-It is a peaceful means of competing for government services and attempting to achieve change within a society.

5. Political Ideology Gun Control Also known as your philosophy.
Ideology: Your belief or stance on issues in our government or nation.
Gun Control
Health Care
Taxes
Government Spending
Regulation of business

6. The Political Spectrum
Political Spectrum: A way of representing different political stances (ideology) in relation to one another.
So..The left and right in politics refers to one’s basic philosophy (ideology).

7. The Political Left: Individuals, parties and movements that seek wider participation in government and push actively for change and reform.
Liberal: Reasonably satisfied with the status quo but feels improvement is possible and necessary.
Extremists: Insists that the present institutions are corrupt, and need to be replaced, willing to use force to gain these ends.

8. The Political Right: Individuals, parties and movements that are skeptical of popular government, and generally oppose reformers.
Conservative: Satisfied with the status quo. Skeptical of change, and believe in past tradition, and stability.
Reactionaries: Want to tear down current institutions and return to a past system. Willing to use force to achieve these goals.

9. The Political Spectrum
Extremists
Liberals
Conservatives
Reactionaries
Moderates
Most Americans fall between these points on the spectrum
The Left
The Right

10. What factors affect where you stand on the spectrum?
How much do you have to lose?
Ideology: Beliefs about society, individual liberty and government involvement.
Economic/Financial: Status in a society, income (tax rate), freedom.
Government regulation: Belief in government involvement. (Individual live, businesses and/or institutions).
Culture: Community you live in. Family beliefs, values and opinions.

11. Viewpoints: Liberals
Tend to support political and social reform directed from the government.
Increased federal services and social programs.
Support government intervention in the economy.
Supports passing laws to protect individual rights. (Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act).

12. Viewpoints: Conservatives
Fearful of a strong/powerful National government. More power to the states and local government.
Support little government intervention (Laissez Faire approach- Government should have a hands off approach to business).
Larger Military & supports the right to bear arms.
Conservative in beliefs about religious, same-sex marriage, and abortion. (Remember tradition)

13. Where do you see yourself on the spectrum?
The Democratic Party is the liberal party in American politics
The Republican Party is the conservative party in American politics
Where do you see yourself on the spectrum?

14. Where do you stand…
Political Ideology Survey -For each issue circle the number that you agree with the most. -Add up the points to figure out where you stand on the Political Spectrum. Where does the majority of the class stand? Quiz

15. Closure: Exit Your task: Using your Notes, Ideology survey and HW
complete the following questions in 4-5
sentences:
Where do you stand on the Political Spectrum? (Liberal or Conservative)
Do you believe this is a true depiction of your political ideology?

17. Agenda: Political Parties
Do Now: Liberal v. Conservative issues
Notes on Political Parties
Political Cartoon Analysis
CEQ directions
HW: CEQ- Issue in American Gov

18. Political Parties

19. On the Issues…. Social Views Economic Foreign Policy
-Same-Sex Marriage
-Gun Control
-Abortion
-Heath Care
Economic
-Government Regulation (Smaller gov v. larger gov)
-Taxes
Foreign Policy
-Military Spending/involvement

20. What is a Political Party?
A group of people who try to influence and control the government by getting their members elected to office

21. Political Party Requirements
1.) Share Beliefs -Members should believe in the same political philosophy and be willing to work for the same goals 2.) A Plan - Members should have a plan for what to do if their person is elected; how to turn your philosophy into law 3.) Chance of Success -Members should have a realistic chance of winning an election or gaining support

22. What do Political Parties do?
1.) Try to create a majority
-In a democracy, power falls to the party who has the most people
2.) Provide electable candidates

23. 3.) Educate voters on the party platform
-a party’s official stand on major public issues
4.) Finance campaigns
5.) Winners to run the government
-The winners of an election can fill open spots with their supporters

24. The Two-Party System
System where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government.
No political party has ever “owned” the government.
Americans accept the idea of a two party system based on the early days of
Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans

25. Republicans Political Ideology- Conservative Symbol- Elephant
Pro-life, less taxes for small and large business, support 2nd amendment, smaller government, and more spending on military.
Symbol- Elephant
Color-Red

26. Democrats Political Ideology- Liberal Symbol- Donkey Color- Blue
- More government programs, more regulation of business, pro-choice, gun control and restrictions.
Symbol- Donkey
Color- Blue

27. Why does the US keep the two-party system?
Stability
-No matter who wins or loses,
there is always a majority
Size of the Federal Government
-The ideas of a smaller party’s platform will usually be absorbed by a major party, which takes away the need for the party

28. Role of Third Parties
Third parties, a party other than one of the two dominant parties, are possible in two-party systems, but have little chance of winning elections.

29. Third Parties…
Help establish political traditions
Create platforms that are used by majority parties (can be split off from major party)
“Spoilers” -take votes away from a major party, which helps the other

30. Types of Third Parties 1.) Ideological Parties 2) Single Issue Parties
Believe in certain philosophy Focus on a single issue
(ex. Communist Party) (ex. Right to Life Party – abortion)
3) Economic Protest Parties 4) Splinter Parties
Typically form during bad Form by breaking away economic times from a major party
(ex. Tea Party)

31. What symbols do you see? How does this relate to this fear of factions?

33. Do Now: -What images or symbols do you recognize
Do Now: -What images or symbols do you recognize? -What is the artist trying to say about political parties? -Based on this cartoon, what is the role of the political party?

34. It’s party time… Political Party Jigsaw Activity
Expert Group: (25 minutes)
1.) Read about your political party
2.) Complete notes on Party using graphic organizer
Share:
1.) Each member of the group introduces their party and the position on their party on 3 Issues
2.) Complete graphic organizer