1. Understanding their role in the American Political System
“Let me … warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party … in [governments] of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.”
- George Washington
Political Parties
Understanding their role in the
American Political System

2. What are political parties?
An organization that seeks to promote its ideals and policies by gaining control of government through the nomination and election of candidate for office.

3. What do they do? Nominate Candidates Primaries and Caucuses
Nominating Conventions
nominating-conventions-civics-minute-video

4. What do they do?
Informer/ Stimulator
Party Platform

5. What do they do?
Seal of Approval/ Bonding Agent

6. House Partisan Balance Senate Partisan Balance
What do they do?
House Partisan Balance
Party
As of September 2014
Democratic
199
Republican
234
Vacancies 2
Total
435
Government Function
Majority and Minority
Senate Partisan Balance
Party
As of September 2014
Democratic 53
Republican 45
Independent 2
Total
100

7. What do they do?
Watchdog

8. Why America Has Only Two Dominant Parties
Historical Circumstance
The Stability of Two
Laws that Preserve the Two Party Monopoly
Single member districts/ winner takes all
Restrictive ballot laws and filing fees
Matching funds
Informal Institutional Supports
Media Coverage
Voter Loyalty
Ability to raise cash
Public Perception

9. What is a Third Party?
party other than one of the two dominant ones in a two-party political system
a minority party

10. Types of third parties Single Issue Candidate driven
(also called factional parties)
Ideological

11. Third Parties do not generally expect to win!
Money
Winner take all
Access to the ballot
Media access

12. The Democrats
Democrats are commonly perceived as the party of big government, civil rights, women’s rights, environmentalism, the poor and pacifism (slow to go to war).

13. The Republicans
The Republican party stands for issues such as lower taxes, small government, the rights to carry arms, pro-life policies, a strong military and a smaller welfare state.