1. Political Parties Unit Two Chapter 5

2. Political Party: Group of people who seek to control government through winning of elections and holding public office Nominating Candidates Informing and Activating Supporters Bonding Agent Governing Acting as Watchdog

3. Why a Two-Party System? Historical Basis Framers did not want political parties However, American party system began as two-party system (Federalist v. AntiFederalist) Force of Tradition Most Americans accept idea of a two-party system because has always been one The Electoral System Single-member districts (plurality) Election laws shaped by the two parties to discourage minor party access American Ideological Consensus Pluralistic society with a broad consensus – general agreement among various groups on fundamental matters

4. Multiparty and One-Party Systems Multiparty System Several major and many lesser parties exist and compete for public office Based on economic class, religious belief, sectional attachment, political ideology Broader representation and more responsive to will of people Instability Need for coalitions One-Party System Dictatorships Ruling Clique

5. Party Identification Family Major Events Economic Status Age Place of Residence Level of Education Work Environment

6. Minor Parties Ideological Parties Particular set of beliefs Socialist, Communist, Libertarian Single-Issue Parties Focus on only one public-policy matter Free Soil, Prohibition Splinter Parties Split away from one of major parties Progressive, Dixiecrat Economic Protest Parties Periods of economic discontent Greenback, Populist

7. Importance of Minor Parties Change in customs Example: American Masons first to use national convention to nominate presidential candidate Role in elections Example: “Spoiler”; pull votes from major parties even if do not win Critics and Innovator Clear cut stands on controversial issues Example: women’s suffrage, progressive income tax

8. DemocratsRepublicansMinor Party AMinor Party B Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5