Government Chapter 9

Political Parties and Politics Section 1

Key Terms Political Party: An association of voters with broad, common interests who want to influence or control decision making in govt. by electing the party’s candidate to public office. Two-party System: During most of American history there have been two major political parties. Third party: Parties that have rose to challenge the two major parties. Platform: Series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues. Plank: Each individual part of the platform.

Political Party Political Parties were formed Members share: Washington did not want this Pg. 218 “Americans in Action” Members share: Beliefs about politics Sense of proper role of govt. Pick candidates who share these beliefs

U.S. Anyone can join a party Not necessary: To pay dues Take a test Vote Only necessary to declare yourself a member

Two-Party System During most of American history there have been two major political parties. Republican Democrats Both have millions of supporters Very strong Since 1860 one of the parties has held the presidency and most seats in Congress

Roots of Two-party Constitution does not mention parties Rival parties Most delegates at convention were against them Two parties formed shortly after Washington became president Rival parties

Jefferson/Hamilton Thomas Jefferson: Alexander Hamilton Favored individual rights Wanted to limit power of govt Argued for more power for state govt. Alexander Hamilton Believed rights were at risk if govt. was weak Favored strong govt. Wanted president to have more power

Democratic Party Thomas Jefferson formed the Democratic-Republican party 1828: Andrew Jackson became the leader Party split Jackson joined the Democratic Party

Federalist Party Led by Alexander Hamilton Party faded away 1816-1828: Democratic Republicans faced no challenge

Whigs 1830: New party Whigs: Competed with newly named Democrats National republicans Competed with newly named Democrats Whigs and Democrats remained the major parties until the 1850’s

Republican Party 1854: Breakaway democrats and Whigs Opposed slavery Formed Republican Party Replaced the Whig Party 1860: Lincoln elected first Republican President Republicans and Democrats have been major parties in our system

Third Parties These parties have rose to influence politics No third party has ever won a presidential election Rarely win major elections Called minor parties

Third Parties Can affect outcome of elections May influence govt. and social policy Third parties have different beliefs Do believe that neither major party is meeting certain needs

Populists Third party 1890’s: Never won presidency Farmers and laborers Called for direct election of senators 8-hour working day Never won presidency Two major parties adopted many of their ideas

Progressive Third Party Split from Republicans in 1912 Theodore Roosevelt Former Republican President Ran for President as a Progressive Took votes away form William Howard Taft Democratic Nominee Woodrow Wilson won the election Roosevelt played a “spoiler” role

Single Issue Parties Third parties arise to not win elections Promote social, economic, or moral issues Single-issue party usually doesn’t last long Fades away if: Issue is no longer important Major party adopts issues

Prohibitionist Party Formed in 1872 Wanted to ban sale of alcohol Did not expect to be elected Used election campaigns to influence citizens to accept their ideas Hoped to persuade lawmakers against sale of alcohol

Ideological Parties Focus on changing society in major ways Socialist Labor Party Communist Party USA Libertarian Green Party

Socialist Labor/Communist Socialist Labor Party Communist Party USA Support: Govt. ownership of factories Transportation Resources Farmland Other businesses

Libertarian Wants to cut size of govt. to increase individual rights

Green Party Oppose power of corporations Favor decision making at the grassroots level

Independent Candidates Form around candidates who are well-known but are not supported by the major parties Rarely win because of two-party tradition Often have a hard time raising money Single-member districts

Other Party Systems U.S. two-party system Rare Most democracies have multiparty systems 3 or more parties compete for control Canada-3 Germany-5 Israel-20+ Parties represent different ideas about govt.

One-Party System Party and the govt. are nearly same thing China has only 1 party Communist Only communist candidates are allowed to run for office Carry out the party’s orders

Today’s Major Parties Competing parties are necessary for a democratic govt. Give voters a choice among candidates

Basic Differences Involvement of govt. in the lives of Americans Read the platform and planks each party writes This will say what the party claims it will do if they win