1. POLITICAL PARTIES (16) ELECTIONS AND VOTING (17)

2. Vocabulary 1. Political party

3. Development of Political Parties  What is a political party? (first words to come to your mind)  Three goals of p.parties?  Win elections (nominates candidates)  Control government  Influence policies  Three types of systems:  One-party: examples?  Multiparty system: most common political system, especially in Europe  Two-party system  Which one does the U.S. fit into?

4. Party Functions  Parties develop broad policy, leadership choices and presents those options to the people  Functions: 1. Recruiting candidates: sets them apart from other groups 2. Structures the vote: narrows the field of candidates 3. Educating the public: inform people (presented in way to benefit party), stimulate their participation, provides alternatives 4. Operating the government: most of gov’t organized based on party, link legislative & executive branch (can force cooperation)

5. The Start of the American P. Party System  First p.p. trace back to the battle over??  Federalists versus Anti-Federalists  Ratification of Constitution; conflicts continued after ratification

6. The First Two Political Parties The Federalist Party  Founder: Alexander Hamilton  Party of the “rich and well-born”  Worked to create a stronger government  Liberal interpretation of Constitution The Jeffersonian-Republicans (Aka Democratic Republicans)  Founder: Thomas Jefferson  More sympathetic to “common man”  Favored limited role for new government  Narrow interpretation of Constitution

7. Two-Party System in American History  Federalists: die out; D.R.– split into two Democratic Party: lasted to now National Republican Party (aka Whig Party) experiences changes for 30 years (1824-1854) Republican Party (w/election of Lincoln): Anti-slavery party against Democrats

8. Rise of American Parties  Activity: Are political parties good for democracy??

9. Are Political Parties good for Democracy?  Time to pick a side!  Agree  Undecided  Disagree  Create group statement: (nominate a group recorder)  Agree: why? Include examples to support your statement  Disagree: why? Include examples to support your statement  Undecided: Why? Include three things you need to know in order to make a decision

10. Vocabulary 2. Platform 3. Ideology

11. Party Organization  Decentralized, fragmented, often plagued with factions and internal squabbling  Each State party organization is only loosely tied to the party’s national organization—due to federalism  President is automatically his (or her ) party leader  For party not in power, a loosely identifiable leadership forms to run national party

12. DNC and RNC  National convention meets every 4 years to nominate presidential/vice presidential candidates and adopt party platform  Between conventions, the party’s affairs are handled by a national committee and a national chairperson

13. Political Spectrum  Political Spectrum: range of political views, based on ideology  Election time: parties appeal to the middle  Conservatives: government should be limited; freedom of opportunity should be promoted  Liberals: government should be active; economic & social equality should be promoted Green Party Independent Libertarian

14. Liberal vs. Conservative  But, what does the political spectrum really look like??  In groups, categorize statements based on political spectrum (liberal or conservative)  I believe that the government should be able to censor books and movies with offensive language. I also believe that government regulations on business help protect our environment. Economic spectrum vs. political/social spectrum

15. Where do you stand?  http://www.people-press.org/political-party-quiz/ http://www.people-press.org/political-party-quiz/  Results:  Overall  Economically  Socially  Compare with your age, sex, race, religion  Write a one paragraph response detailing:  What you are (all three) and if you agree  Who typically votes Republican? Democrat? (based on the categories you compared)

16. Vocabulary 4. Single-member districts

17. Third Parties  Third party because rarely win elections  Exist because believe neither major party is meeting certain needs  Types of third parties:  Single-issue: promotes a principle; ex. Green Party  Ideological party: change society overall rather than a single issue; ex. Libertarian Party  Splinter party (aka bolter party): splits away from one of the major parties Historical example: Bull Moose Party in 1912; modern-day example????

18. Role of Third Parties  Typical role: can take votes away from major parties  Difficulty in getting on state ballots  required to get certain number of signatures  Obstacle: single-member districts and winner-take-all system leads to two-party system  Most successful impact: influence politics by promoting new ideas  If gain support, major party usually adopts issue; ex. minimum wage, women’s suffrage

19. Presidential vs. Non-Presidential Elections  No third-party presidential candidate has won any electoral votes since the 1960s  Have won a handful of governorships, other high posts in recent decades.  Can win plurality of popular vote instead of majority of electoral vote  Focus on smaller pool of potential voters  Current Third Party politicians:  Senate: Two independents

20. Case Study: The Tea Party  Movement that began in 2009; includes prominent politicians such as:  Senator Marco Rubio (FL-R)  Senator Rand Paul (KY-R)  Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-R)  Senator Jerry Moran (KS-R)  Senator Ted Cruz (TX-R)  Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin  Case Study: The 21 st Century Tea Party  Read background information & answer corresponding questions  Task: Third party versus political movement