Political Parties in Our Democracy Section 1: The Role of Political Parties Color Transparency: Political Parties Section Reading Support Transparency Section Outline I. How Parties Help Government II. How Parties Help Citizens 1 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy Section 1: The Role of Political Parties Main Idea Key Terms Political parties bring together people who share similar political ideas. Political parties select candidates, provide leadership, and set goals for political action. Political party Nominate Platform Planks Canvas 2 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy Section 1: The Role of Political Parties How Parties Help Government Political Party An organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting their members elected to office. Selecting Candidates Nomination: the naming of a candidate to run for public office. There about 500,000 elected positions in local, state, and federal government. 3 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy Section 1: The Role of Political Parties How Parties Help Government (continued) Setting Goals Platform: a statement of the party’s official stand on major public issues Planks: position statements on each specific issue in a party’s platform Providing Leadership Parties help provide day-to-day leadership in government. Acting as “Watchdogs” Parties keep tabs on the behavior of members of the other party. 4 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy Section 1: The Role of Political Parties How Parties Help Citizens Citizen’s Voices in Government Parties provide a way for citizens to be heard. Informing Citizens Party members canvas, or go door-to-door, handing out information and asking people which candidates they support. Involving Citizens Parties get people involved in the political process. 5 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy: Section 1 Color Transparency: Political Parties 6 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy: Section 1 Color Transparency: Political Parties 1. Who is the man in the cartoon? He is a political candidate who belongs to a political party. 2. What is the cartoonist making fun of, or mocking? At times, the positions of the two major parties seem identical. It is difficult to see the differences in their beliefs. 7 of 8

Political Parties in Our Democracy: Section 1 Section Reading Support Transparency 8 of 8