Political Parties “Linkage Institution”

Student Expectations Analyze the different points of views of political parties and interest groups on contemporary issues. Identify the functions of political parties. Analyze and evaluate the process of electing the President of the United States.

Party Structure National Convention – meets every 4 years, nominates President National Committee – manages party affairs on daily basis Congressional campaign committee – supports party’s candidates National chair – manages daily work

Goal of a Political Party? WIN ELECTIONS

Function of Parties 1.Connecting citizens to government (linkage institution) -Political Efficacy – citizen participation level and awareness of government decisions 2.Run candidates for political office 3.Inform the public – help voters decide who to vote for in elections 4.Organizing government – coordinate government policy-making

Why 2 parties? Winner-take-all system Winner receives a seat while loser receives nothing 3 rd party usually joins one of other parties Opposite – Proportional Representation – % of votes is directly applied as the % of representatives

“Grass Roots” “Grass Roots” – parties can also reach the voters personally and “get-out-the-vote” on a local level

Minor Parties Third Parties have played a role in politics Types 1.Individual personality – those dominated by one figure head (Ex. – 1912 Theodore Roosevelt – Bull-Moose, 1968 George Wallace – American Independent Party) 2.Long-lasting goal or ideology – (Ex. – Abolitionists, Prohibitionists, Socialists)

Party Identification Dealignment – weak membership, more “independents” or moderates – popular trend in the last 50 years Strait ticket voting – strong party membership, support all candidates for one party Ticket splitting – voting for candidates from multiple parties

Realignment? “Gridlock” – Congress and Presidency controlled by different parties Republican sweep of Congress and Presidency - party loyalty stronger? split the Presidency and Congress again might bring a Democratic sweep

Student Expectations Analyze the different points of views of political parties and interest groups on contemporary issues. Identify the functions of political parties. Analyze and evaluate the process of electing the President of the United States.