1. Political Parties Chapter 16 Section 1

2. Parties and Party Systems A political party is a group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and influence government policies.political party In a one-party system, the party is the government and party leaders set government. A government run by religious officials is known as a theocracy.theocracy

3. Section 1 Parties and Party Systems (cont.) In nations that allow more than one political party, the most common political system today is the multiparty system. The parties in a multiparty system often represent widely differing ideologies, or basic beliefs about government.ideologies A coalition government is a group of parties that combine forces to obtain a majority.coalition government

4. Section 1 Parties and Party Systems (cont.) In two-party systems, two major parties compete for power, although minor parties exist.

5. Parties in American History The First Party System 1796-1828 –The Federalist Party was the first political party in the United States. –Anti-Federalists (Democratic Republicans) soon took over. The First Democratic Era 1828-1860 –Dominated by the Democratic Party Opposed by the Whig Party The Republican Era 1860-1932 –The Republican Party arose in the 1850’s to oppose slavery. –Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president. –Republicans dominated until Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression.

6. Parties in American History (cont.) The Second Democratic Era 1932-1968 –Democrats begin domination with Franklin Roosevelt. The Era of Divided Government 1968- Present –No single party dominates –People tend to vote a split ticket Split ticket: a vote for candidates of more than one party in the same election Section 1

7. The Role of Minor Parties A third party is any party other than one of the two major parties.third party Third parties generally fall into three categories: –The single-issue party focuses exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue.

8. Section 1 The Role of Minor Parties (cont.) –The ideological party has a particular set of ideas about how to change society overall rather than focusing on a single issue. –The splinter party splits away from one of the major parties because of some disagreement.

9. Section 1 The Role of Minor Parties (cont.) Third parties can influence the outcome of national elections by drawing votes from one party and often influence politics by promoting new ideas. Difficulties for minor parties include: –They must obtain a large number of voter signatures in a short time to appear on a ballot.

10. Section 1 The Role of Minor Parties (cont.) –They often have problems with financing and appealing to a broad cross section of voters.

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