Political Parties Chapter 5

Political Party A political party is a group of people who want to control government through winning of elections and holding public office.

Political Parties There are numerous political parties in America today The two major parties are Republican and Democrat Others are Libertarian, Constitutional Union, Socialist, and others

Political Parties To gain support for their party, members shape their positions, called platforms. Most people do not agree with a party’s platform 100% of the time, but most find they lean one way or the other.

Political Parties Once elected, officials rely on and back their political party, called partisanship The party in power (today it is Republicans in the House, Democrats in the Senate & White House) controls legislation, appointments, foreign policy and spending.

Two Party System Third parties are groups that are not Democrat or Republican. Minor parties do not do well in national elections, but do get elected to local and state positions.

Two Party System The 2 dominant parties continually attack one anothers’ platforms and agendas. They constantly work to vote the other party out and replace their position with one of their own.

The First Parties The framers of the Constitution did not plan political parties. They began over philosophical differences about how the Constitution should be implemented.

The First Parties Federalists – believed that the government should take as much power as it needs. A strong federal government would replace strong state’s rights Washington, Adams, Hamilton

The First Parties Anti-Federalists – believed that the government only have the powers written expressly in the Constitution and no more. States should have more control. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe

The First Parties George Washington did not belong to a party, although he backed Federalists, and warned the country about them. Political parties themselves are generally long-lasting. The Republican party is more than 150 years old.

Party Platforms The Republican Party began in 1854 as the anti-slavery party As times changed, so did their platform.

Electoral System Most local and state elections are to fill single-member districts, only one person fills the position The person who receives the most votes receives plurality. It may not be the majority.

Electoral System In national elections, usually only the 2 main parties are represented in all 50 state ballots Even Ralph Nader’s name did not appear on all ballots in the 2000 or 2004 election. Eugene Debs, socialist, was the first.

Electoral System The most recent 3 rd party candidates to be on all ballots was Ross Perot, Reform, in 1992 and 1996 and Harry Browne, Libertarian, in 1996

Pluralistic Society Even though all voters are American, they have differences. In our pluralistic society, we have different ethnic, religious, economic, and social class differences.

Pluralistic Society To make progress, we come to consensus, a general agreement among the groups. Some topics are not so easily settled: abortion, gay marriages, gun laws, war in Iraq, etc.

Right or Left Conservative or Liberal Many voters today align themselves with one of the two Most put themselves in the middle, as moderate.

One Party Systems Dictatorships have only 1 party Stalin, Lenin, Hitler and Castro had/have no opposition that lives long enough to become a great threat.

One Party Systems Some areas in the US could be said to be one-party Many rural towns vote over- whelmingly Republican. South Florida and New York are Democrat They aren’t a one-party system because they have options

Who’s a Democrat? Jews and Catholics African-Americans Union members Middle and lower social class Young and female

Who’s a Republican? Protestants and Evangelicals White Business management Upper and lower classes Older and male

Party Affiliation Obviously, the examples are general stereotypes and both parties have all races, religions and economic backgrounds. Party platforms help show who they are trying to appease.

What’s Your Party Affiliation? You are influenced by: Your family Major events Economic status Your age Where you live Your education level Religious affiliation

History of American Politics The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Parties died out quickly. Once the federal government was established, states grew less fearful about losing power and other events rose in importance

History of American Politics The divisions in American politics have remained the same even when the issues have changed. The Federalists, in 1800, attracted wealthy, educated men and the party protected business

History of American Politics The same things are said about Republicans today although the issues are different. Anti-Federalists, in 1800, attracted laborers, middle class, and the “common man” The same things are said about Democrats today.

History of American Politics In fact, the Anti-Federalists became the Democratic- Republicans and finally the Democrats.

American Politics Age of Democrats Basically ran unopposed as the economy was growing and Americans were optimistic Conflicts over the National Bank, tariffs and slavery caused the party to break into factions

American Politics Age of Democrats The Jeffersonians (Jefferson, Madison and Monroe) ruled until the Jacksonians. Suffrage included all men, number of offices grew, and the spoils system encouraged political participation.

American Politics Age of Democrats The Whigs elected only 2 (war hero) presidents during the 60 year period The slavery issue brings a new political party that rules for more than 70 years.

American Politics Age of Republicans The slavery issue divided the Democrats and united the new Republican Party The Civil War left the Democrats in shambles except in the South

American Politics Age of Republicans Only 1 Democrat was elected President (2x) during this time when TR split the party The Populists put some competition at the end of the 1800s but the Republicans continued to dominate

American Politics Age of Republicans During this time, most African- Americans were Republicans In 1929, the stock market crashed and the GOP and Herbert Hoover were blamed

American Politics Return of Democrats Americans saw the Democrats as saviors Under FDR, they created jobs and brought the country out of the Great Depression

American Politics Return of Democrats They established social programs during the New Deal – social security and unemployment insurance They reformed banking with the Federal Reserve

American Politics Return of Democrats The Republicans got Eisenhower elected in 1952 but lost the White House again in 1960 to JFK.

American Politics Return of a New Era Nixon and the GOP won the White House and, except for single term Jimmy Carter, 2 term Bill Clinton, and ? term Barack Obama, have held it Today, Republicans control one house of Congress

American Politics Return of a New Era With Republican control, they have also been able to appoint other Republicans to court and ambassador positions. Most governorships are also Republican controlled.

American Politics What will happen in 2012? What will happen in 2014? Economy War in Iraq Scandals within administration Education system Job losses