Chapter 5 Political Parties

Political Party A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office.

Political Party Functions  Nominating Candidates  Informing and Activating Supporters  Bonding Agent (ensuring good performance of its candidates and officeholders)  Governing  Acting as a Watchdog (making sure members behave within party lines)

Partisanship A firm alliance to a political party.

The 2-Party System  Although there are more than 2 political parties in America, throughout history, there have always been 2 dominant parties that govern our country.  What are those parties today?

Other Political Systems  The 2 party system works for us, but that’s not the way every other country in the world works.  Multiparty system- several major and many lesser parties exist and seriously compete for public offices.  (Most European democracies)  Tends to reflect a broader representation of the people.  Leads to instability because many times a majority of the people are not in the governing party.

Coalition  When a multiparty system leads to instability, a coalition is formed  Coalition- a temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority to control the government.

1-Party Systems  In almost all dictatorships  The ruling party is the only party allowed.  It’s actually more accurate to say that it’s a “no party system”.

Economic Protest Party Splinter Party Ideological Party Single Issue party Minor parties

Economic Protest Party  Minor party rooted in periods of economic discontent  Ex-Greenback Party, Tea Party

Splinter Party  Minor party that comes directly from one of the 2 major parties.  Most splinter parties are formed around a strong personality.  Ex-”Bull moose party”

Ideological Party  Based on a particular set of beliefs, a view of social economic and political matters.  Ex-libertarian, socialist, communist

Single-Issue Party  Concentrated on only one public-policy matter  Ex-know nothings, free soil, right to life

Role of the 3 rd Party  Although most Americans don’t support 3 rd parties, they still play a role in politics.  Spoiler role- taking votes away from the major parties (usually the one closest to their platform)  Ex-Bull Moose Party  Populists  Independents  Green Party

Party Organization  Only the party in power has a true leader (the President)  Parties are NOT close-knit, organized groups—it’s whatever the state/region makes of it.

The Future of Party Power  Split-Ticket Voting is causing parties to lose power.  Not as strong as they used to be.

The 2-Party System in American History  Class Activity  The class should break up into 5 equal groups  Each group should read and discuss their section from pages  Using pieces of butcher paper, the groups will write the title of their section and then explain the main points of their section in an easy way for the class. Make it readable, and add at least one picture.  Each group will present while the rest of the class takes notes.  Group sections 1.”The Nation’s first Parties” p “The Era of the Democrats, ” p “The Era of the Republicans, ” p “The Era of the Democrats, ” p “The start of a new Era” p