Political Parties An Overview Target: I can explain the purpose of Political Parties in our system.

Political Parties A group of people who seek to control the government through the winning of elections, and the holding of office

The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented

The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented Each party is a coalition who have come together to get a candidate elected

The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented Each party is a coalition who have come together to get a candidate elected Results in different beliefs and ideals with in one party

The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented Each party is a coalition who have come together to get a candidate elected Results in different beliefs and ideals with in one party Not like-minded

What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government

What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government

What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government They modify and make compromises between the various sides and issues

What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government They modify and make compromises between the various sides and issues This unifies

What the Parties Do Al ink between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government They modify and make compromises between the various sides and issues This unifies Softens the impact of decisions

What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates

What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government

What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters

What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters You should vote because…

What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters You should vote because… Grant their seal of approval upon candidates

What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters You should vote because… Grant their seal of approval upon candidates Endorse a candidate

What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions

What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions Partisan issues

What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions Partisan issues They are a watchdog

What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions Partisan issues They are a watchdog The party out of power will watch the other and report on wrong-doings

The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system?

The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists

The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists tradition

The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists Tradition The functioning of the electoral system

The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists Tradition The functioning of the electoral system Single-member districts Plurality (winner-takes-all)

The Two-Party System The American Ideology

The Two-Party System The American Ideology In the grand scope, the American peoples’ political beliefs are quite similar

The Two-Party System The American Ideology In the grand scope, the American peoples’ political beliefs are quite similar This has allowed a two-party system to persist

Other Systems Multiparty System

Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties

Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties Usually based upon religion, economic, political ideology

Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties Usually based upon religion, economic, political ideology This leads to truer representation of the people

Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties Usually based upon religion, economic, political ideology This leads to truer representation of the people Leads to instability and deadlock when parties must share the government

Other Systems One-Party Systems

Other Systems One-Party Systems In essence, this is a no-party system

Other Systems One-Party Systems In essence, this is a no-party system The only party is the party in power

Membership in Parties Parties typically are a cross-section of the American Society, however, some broad generalizations can be drawn

Democrats African-Americans, Catholics, Jews, union members, not college educated

Republicans White, males, Protestants, business, community, wealthy, college educated