1. Political Parties Organization of Individuals Broad Common Interests
Organize to win Election
Influence Government Policy
PURPOSE: Get Candidate Elected

2. Kinds of Party Systems One Party Two Party Multi Party
Party & Gov. nearly the same
Elections are empty exercises
Little Political Freedom
People’s Republic of China (Communist)
U.S. System
Two Major Parties
Democrats & Republicans
Political Freedom
Democracies
3+ Parties
Compete for Control
May be unstable b/c coalitions form
Political freedom
Canada, Israel, Japan, Europe

3. History of U.S. Political Parties
Federalists/Democratic Republicans
Democrats/Whigs
Democrats/Republics

4. For the Visual Learner REPUBLICAN DEMOCRAT WHIGS DEMOCRAT
SLAVERY
REPUBLICAN
DEMOCRAT
ISSUE THAT DIVIDES
WHIGS
DEMOCRAT
DEMOCRAT-REPUBLICANS
CONSTITUTION
FEDERALIST
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
ISSUE THAT DIVIDES

5. Federalists/Democratic Republicans
Federalists: Hamilton believed individual rights at risk of government was too weak and national government needed to protect people’s rights (
Democrat Republicans: Jefferson’s party wanted limited government with more state powers ( )

6. Hamilton & Jefferson

7. Democrats/Whigs
Democrats: Andrew Jackson (1828) play up ties to common people (Democrats) (1832-Present)
Whigs: included critics of Andrew Jackson, states’ rights advocates, and supporters of internal improvements ( )

8. Democrats v. Whigs

9. Democrats/Republicans
Democrats couldn’t agree on whether or not slavery should be abolished (1854).
By 1860 the Republicans emerge against the Democrats over the issue of slavery.

10. Old Abe
Abraham Lincoln will become the 1st Republican President.

11. Democrats/Republicans (TODAY)
Donkey/Blue
Republicans
Elephant/Red
Federal government should be more directly involved in:
regulating economy
providing income
housing
education
jobs for the poor
If you help nation’s economy grow:
poor people have a better chance of finding jobs
less government regulation of economy is best way to promote growth.

12. BOTH PARTIES AGREE ON CERTAIN THINGS LIKE INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS RIGHTS
PROTECTING THE NATION
GOOD EDUCATION
PRESERVING ENVIRONMENT
3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
HOWEVER
THEY DISAGREE ON HOW TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS

13. DEMOCRATS Left Liberal More government regulation
Increase welfare funding
Support government funding of programs,
Farmers & laborers
City
Younger
Little or highly educated
Low or very high incom
North
Federal gov. more directly involved in regulating economy & providing services

14. REPUBLICANS Right Conservative Less government regulation
Oppose tax increases
Merchants & bankers
Rural/urban
Older
College educated
Middle to upper class
South
Favor less government regulation of the economy as the best way to promote production

15. The Political Spectrum
LIBERAL
CONSERVATIVE
MODERATE
MOST AMERICANS FALL IN THE MIDDLE

16. Political Philosophies
Conservatives: person who favors less government or a government that is less involved in people’s lives and is less open to reforming ideas.
Liberals: people who are in favor of more government involvement and may be more open to reform
Moderates: person who is somewhere in-between the major political parties and may have some beliefs which favor one side and other beliefs that favor the other party.

17. Party Platforms Statement expressing parties Beliefs Principles
Positions
Each section is called a plank

18. Fears of Our System Lack of political choices
Parties would divide the nation
George Washington Warnings
Minority may be ignored by majority

19. Our Two Party System Advantages Disadvantages Stability of government
Experienced leaders
Continuity allows for smooth transitions
Force parties to stay near the center of issues
Avoids extremes
Minority ignored
Little change in government
Coverage goes to major parties
**Eventually minority views become accepted by the main parties**

20. Formation of Third Parties
Promote an idea not represented by the 2 parties
Help change laws & elections
**NEVER WON A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION**

22. Obstacles to Third Parties
NEVER WON A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Rarely win major elections
Larger # of voter signatures required to get name on ballots
Difficult to raise money.