1. POLITICAL PARTIES Unit 5 pgs 115-144

2. Parties and what they do Section 1 A.What is a party? Any group of people who seek to control the gov’t by winning elections. It’s a vital link between people and gov’t. It unites us and brings different interests together.

3. Parties and what they do Section 1 B. Functions of Political Parties-what they do 1. Nominate candidates: takes many and narrows them down to one. We don’t have to keep up with but one.

4. B. Functions of political parties 2. Educate: The party must inform you of the issues so you can take a stand:abortion, Iraq, gay marriage. 3. Stimulate: The party has to get you active and involved

5. Functions of political parties (cont) 4. Bonding agent: The party guarantees that its candidate is qualified and the best person for the job. If they make it through the primaries one is qualified

6. Functions of political parties (cont) 5. Governing: Government of the U.S. is government by party. a. Congress is run by party (partisanship) b. Candidates are picked by party c. Presidential appointments are made by party.

7. Functions of political parties 6. Acting as watchdog a. The out-party critici- zes in-party b. Tries to catch the in-party in mistakes to convince us to throw out the in-party.

8. C. Why two parties? (Europe has many) 1. Historically: Debating the Constitution caused the U.S. to have two groups. 2. Traditionally: We just continued with two parties.

9. 3. Electoral System (election process) a. SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS: only one winner in all elections (sheriff, President) 1. Discourages 3 rd parties because you have to win the most votes. No 3 rd party can carry a whole district or state. 2. Election laws are intentionally written to make it hard for 3 rd parties to run. b. Electoral College requires candidate to carry whole state to win electoral votes. Hard for a 3 rd party candidate to do.

10. 4. We are IDEOLOGICALLY HOMOGENEOUS. We share the same basic principles (pages 18- 20). a. Each party is fighting for the same people b. Candidates are mostly moderate because most of America votes that way.

11. THE MINOR PARTIES Chap 5 sec 3 p.137 (132) Why are minor (3rd parties) important? 1. Spoiler role: by pulling votes away from one of the two major parties the popular candiate does not win.

12. Role of minor parties (cont.) 2. Innovator: 3 rd parties come up with new ideas. Unfortunately, if these ideas catch on, the two major parties pick them up and need for 3 rd party dies. Exps: national conventions, income tax, environmental issues.

13. PARTY ORGANIZATION sec 4 p. 142 (137) A. Political parties are decentralized (fragmented, disjointed) 1. Role of the President: can bring the party together but can also cause state and local members to run from the President.

14. What causes decentalization of parties? 2. Impact of federalism: There are so many offices up for election in national, state and local governments, the parties are disconnected.

15. What causes decentalization of parties? (Cont.) 3. Role of nominating process: Its an intra-party fight that puts democrats against democrats and republicans against republicans. This naturally divides the party.

16. B. National Party Machinery There are 3 basic elements 1. The National Convention: every 4 years a. nominates the Pres. And V-Pres. b. Acts as a pep rally c. Adopts the party platform

17. 3 basic elements of national party machinery 2. The National Committee: major responsibility if staging the national convention. 3. The National Chairperson: head of national party. Runs the day to day business of party. He promotes party unity, raises money, recruits new voters.

18. C. State and Local Party Organization 1.State organization: headed by state party chairman. Its job is to find candidates, money, unite party. 2.Local organization: organizes for local elections by precincts and wards (how cities are organized for local elections.) National committee State Committee Finds candidates and money Local and grassroots organization Sets up cities for elections

19. D. Future of Political Parties 1.There has been a sharp decline in the number of people who claim to be Republican or Democrat 2.Big increase in split-ticket voting (voting for candidates of different parties). 3.Direct primaries cause parties to not have control. 4.Internet and direct-mail weaken parties. 5.Single-issue organizations cause us to miss the big picture.