1. Political Parties
America’s Two-Party System

2. BRAINSTORM
What are the different ways that YOU can participate in our government?

3. Ways to Participate in our Democracy
Becoming a well informed citizen
Writing letters to elected officials (local & national)
Serving on a jury (must be registered to vote)
Protesting (marches, boycotts, sit-ins, etc.)
Campaigning for a candidate
Running for office
Voting in local, state and national elections
Joining a political party

4. Definition of Political Party
An alliance of like-minded people who work together to:
win elections
control the government
determine public policy

5. FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Recruit candidates – Find viable candidates at the federal, state and local levels
Organize elections – Mobilize participation at the polls
Hold conventions - Every 4 years, parties hold national conventions to formally declare a platform and choose the party’s presidential & vice presidential nominees.
Unite factions – Bring together people with similar interest

6. PARTY COALITION The groups & interest that support a party
Generally speaking, the Republican coalition primarily consists of Caucasian middle class Protestants. The GOP is successful in suburban areas, the South & Midwest.

7. PARTY COALITION
Generally speaking, the Democratic Coalition is comprised of society’s “underdogs.” On average they include:
African-Americans
Union members
The poor
Hispanics
Urbanites
Gay & Lesbians
Jewish people
Other minorities

8. George Washington
George Washington was against the idea of political parties. He felt they were detrimental to the nation
In his farewell speech he stated the following
“parties serve their own interest”
“parties not beneficial to American people”

9. Types of Political Party Systems
One Party System – Political party & the government are the same; Only 1 party, so no competing ideas - Ex: China
Two Party Systems - Two parties compete with each other to run the government; minority parties receive little attention – Ex: USA

10. Types of Political Party Systems
Multi-Party System – Three or more parties compete for the control of the government; Common in Europe; Provides voters with many different choices & ideas – Ex: Italy & Mexico

12. Donkey vs Elephant
Associated with Andrew Jackson during his 1828 campaign
His opponents called him a jackass (Donkey)
Jackson used the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters
Cartoonist Thomas Nast made it famous
Cartoonist Nast later drew a donkey clothed in lion’s skin, scarring away all the animals at the zoo.
One of the animals, the elephant was labeled “The Republican Vote”

13. Third Parties AKA minor parties
Promote ideas that were originally unpopular
They have never won
Presidency, but Democrats
and Republicans adopted
some of their ideas

14. Types of Third Parties Ideology Party Single Issue Party
Form to support a particular philosophy and idea
Libertarian Party want to cut the size of the federal government and increase personal freedoms
Form to promote a social, economic, or moral issue (usually don’t last long)
Prohibitionists Party formed in 1872 to ban alcohol

15. Economic Protest Party
Types of Third Parties
Economic Protest Party
Splinter Parties
Form during poor economic times
The Greenback Party ( ) had an anti-monopoly ideology
Parties that have split away from one of the major parties
The Tea Party called for the reduction of the national debt & federal budget deficit (1990 – present)

16. POLITICAL SPECTRUM