Political Parties in the US :

Political Parties Political Party - group of voters with common interests who want to influence the government The U.S. has a two-party system because there are only two main parties that hold most of the power

Functions of Political Parties Nominate Candidates Inform Voters Ensure candidates are qualified Help govern in Congress and State Legislatures Act as watchdogs especially for officials of other parties

Past Political Parties Democratic-Republicans –Led by Thomas Jefferson –Favored a weak federal (central) government w/ more power given to the states –Wanted a strict interpretation of the Constitution –“Common Man” vote

Past Political Parties continued… Federalists –Led by Alexander Hamilton –Favored a strong national government –Wanted a loose interpretation of the Constitution –“Rich man” Vote

Third Parties (minor parties) Rarely win any elections However, they can effect outcome of elections Reasons they fail –Not enough votes to get on ballot –Trouble raising money –Lack of name recognition

Third Parties continued… Ideological parties- set of beliefs on social, economic, political issues (Socialist, Communist) Single-Issue parties- one public-policy matter; usually short-lived; “Free-Soil Party”; “Right to Life” Party; “Prohibition Party” Economic protest parties- economic discontent –Populists or “Green Back” Party Splinter Parties- split from a major party –“Bull Moose” or Progressive –Dixie-crat Party –Green Party –Reform Party

Examples of Third Parties Populist Party (1890’s) –Farmers and factory workers that wanted more support from the government –Wanted 8 hour work days and direct elections of Senators Libertarian Party (1970’s) –wanted less financial change but more social change

What percentage of the popular vote did the Populist Party get in 1892? If Weaver didn’t run for the presidency in 1892, could the outcome of the election have been different?

Examples of Third Parties continued… Progressive Party –Split from Republican Party –Led by Theodore Roosevelt –Caused Democrats win election in 1912 –AKA the Bull Moose Party –Wanted social and political reforms –Wanted to end corrupt business in US

What percentage of the popular vote did the Progressive Party get in 1912? If Roosevelt didn’t run for the presidency in 1912, could the outcome of the election have been different?

Independent Parties & Candidates Party forms around candidate because of popularity Example: Ross Perot

What percentage of the popular vote did the Ross Perot get in 1992? If Perot didn’t run for the presidency in 1992, could the outcome of the election have been different?

Party Systems US has a two-party system - two main parties that hold most of the power One Party System- Party and government are the same; jobs in a one party system include government jobs –Only one party allowed to run in elections –Examples- Communist in North Korea & Theocracy in Iran

Party Systems continued… Multi-Party System- More than two parties have power –Most common in the world –Hard to win a majority (over 50%) Must get plurality – most votes won among those running –Sometimes a coalition occurs and parties join together to get more votes –Examples Canada – 3 parties Germany – 5 parties Israel – around 20 parties

Political Parties Today in the US Republican Party –Born from the dispute over slavery –Lincoln was 1 st Republican president –Tend to support Stronger state governments Less change, more tradition Less taxes on the rich Less government spending –Symbol- Elephant

Political Parties Today in the US continued… Democratic Party –Has roots in Jefferson’s Democratic- Republican Party –Tends to support Stronger federal government More change Taxing the rich more Spending more on government social programs (i.e. Welfare) –Symbol- Donkey

Democrats Strong Central Government Federalist Socially Liberal Loose interpretation of the Constitution Free Market with Limitations by the Government Towards the Left Republicans Strong State Government Anti-Federalist Socially Conservative Strict interpretation of the Constitution Free Market Economy Towards the Right

Right v. Left Right = people who hold more traditional values Left = people who support more change in society

Radical –Far left –Call for rapid changes in government –May be willing to resort to extreme methods—including violence and revolution (Black Panthers)

Liberal Government active in social welfare Peaceful, gradual change Reject violent revolution

Moderate Share viewpoints of liberals and conservatives Tolerant of other’s views Prefer the wait and see approach to change

Conservative Favor keeping things the way they are Hesitant about adopting new policies Less government involvement the better

Reactionary Far right Look back on the “good ol’ days” Can tend to turn to extreme methods to achieve goals (KKK)