What is a Political Party? What we think they are.
Political Parties What they actually are.
What is a Political Party? Political Party- “group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office”
Party in Power Party in Power- The party that holds the executive office. At state level it is the governor and at national level it is the president.
Our Electoral System Single-member districting- Only one candidate with plurality is elected to each office on the ballot. Method used in the United States. Plurality- The most votes
Two Party System Major Party- Parties who control a considerable amount of political offices. Minor Parties- Parties that do not control a large amount of offices. Two party System- Two major parties dominate the political arena.
Partisanship Bipartisanship- Parties find common ground and work together. Partisanship- tendency for politicians to work along party lines.
One Party System One-party system: One political party dominates the political arena.
Other Party Systems Multiparty system- Several major parties and other minor parties exist and have an influence on government.
Other Party Systems Coalition- Temporary alliance of parties in order to effectively form a majority.
Alliances Change
Types of Parties Economic Protest parties- emerge during periods of economic discontent. Example: the Greenback Party ( ) emerged during period of agrarian discontent Single Issue Parties: Parties that want to address only one issue. Example is the green party that began as an ecological party. Splinter Party- A party that breaks off from one of the major parties.
Types of Parties Ideological- Based on a particular set of believes. Usually characterized as left or right winged. Democrats and Republicans are ideological parties. More examples include the Communist parties, the Socialist Labor and the Libertarian party.
Ideology
Political Quiz Personal Issues Disagree Maybe Agree Government should not censor speech, press, media, or internet. Military service should be voluntary. There should be no draft. There should be no laws regarding sex for consenting adults. Repeal laws prohibiting adult possession and use of drugs. There should be no National ID card.
Political Quiz Economic Issues Disagree Maybe Agree End "corporate welfare." No government handouts to business. End government barriers to international free trade. Let people control their own retirement; privatize Social Security. Replace government welfare with private charity. Cut taxes and government spending by 50% or more.
Political Quiz