1. Unit 3 – Political Parties In America Political Party- YouTube

2. “Winning Isn’t Everything; It’s the Only Thing.” - Hall of Fame Football Coach Vince Lombardi

3. What exactly is a political party? A political party is a group of people who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office. Party members are joined together on the basis of common principles. America’s two main parties, however, are far more “election-oriented” than they are principle or “issue-oriented.”

4. Political Parties: Why do we need them? 1. They provide a sense of ownership. 2. They are a unifying agent. 3. They nominate(name) candidates for public office. 4. They inform and activate voters. (campaigning) 5. They provide insurance that voters will have qualified candidates from which to choose.

5. Political Parties: Why do we need them? cont. 6. They govern (** basis of partisanship) 7. They are a “watchdog” for our wants and needs.

6. What are the drawbacks of Political Parties? 1. Fighting & Bickering 2. Partisan Politics (Define & Examples) 3. They Can be Divisive

7. In the U.S. we have always had a two- party system. A two-party system is simply defined as a political system in which one party is in power and the other is in opposition. Why is this a good system?

8. Parody of Political Parties

9. Our two main parties: The Democrats & The Republicans Democrats More Liberal African-Americans, union workers, women Republicans More Conservative White males, white- collar workers/ business community, clergy

10. The 3 Components of A Political Party 1. Party Organization 1. All of those who donate, time, money, or skills to the party 2. Party Electorate 1. Party loyalists who nearly always vote for party members 3. Party in Government 1. The party’s officeholders who work to get their party’s platforms carried out.

11. The Future of Our 2 Major Parties Political parties in America have been in a state of decline for about the last 40 years. Reasons for this decline: 1. An increase in the # of independent voters. 2. An increase in split-ticket voting. 3. Changes in campaign finance laws. 4. Use of technology (TV, net) for campaigning. 5. Rise of single-issue organizations.