1. How is the role of political parties different than interest groups?

2. Political Parties
Political Party- An organization that tries to elect its members to public office so that its views can become public policy
Political parties have an ideology, or a unification of the party’s ideals and goals into a social and political program
The political party’s ideology determines where the party is at on the political spectrum-or the continuum of social and political beliefs that stretches from conservative on the right to liberal on the left

3. Three Main Roles of Political Parties
1.) Conduct the Nomination Process- Naming candidates for elective office
Candidates’ views must generally fit the political party’s beliefs in order to receive the party’s support

5. Three Main Roles of Political Parties
2.) Aid the electoral process
Educate people on specific issues important to the party and try to motivate people to vote.
Help the electorate register to vote, find out where to vote
Provide a “brand name” for a candidate

6. Three Main Roles of Political Parties
3.) Help run the government
In Congress:
a party majority of either the House of Representatives or the Senate helps that particular party control that house of Congress
People who are appointed to positions in the executive and judicial branches are usually members of the president’s political party

7. Group Discussion
How do the roles of interest groups differ from the roles of political parties?
Give ONE example

8. Party Systems Three basic types of party systems
1.) One-Party System- A single political party controls the government. Other parties may or may not be allowed to operate, but they usually have no power
Examples:
North Korea
China
Germany, circa

9. Party Systems
2.) Two-party system- two parties compete to control government. Other parties may exist and may affect elections, but they rarely have enough support to elelct a national leader or control legislature
Examples:
United States
United Kingdom

10. Party Systems
3.) Multiparty System- Several parties compete for control. Multiparty systems are the most common party system
Examples:
India: 12 major parties
Italy: 15 major parties

11. Composition of the Italian Senate
What do you notice about these different government houses?

12. Group Discussion
Why is it still necessary to have a majority party in multiparty systems?

13. Why have a majority in multiparty systems?
Typically, when there isn’t a consistent political party majority an unstable government can result.
In multiparty systems, often several parties will form a temporary alliance with each other to create a majority and pass laws
If one party leaves this coalition, there may be no majority and a gridlock may occur.

14. American Two-Party System
First two American political parties emerged soon after the Constitution was ratified.
Federalist Party
Key supporter: Alexander Hamilton
Ideals: Strong central government, large cities, strong manufacturing base
Democratic-Republican Party
Key supporters: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Agricultural base with small communities

15. American Two-Party System
Federalists met their demise in the late 1820s, while the Democratic-Republicans split into two separate parties that eventually evolved into the Democratic and Republican parties of today

16. American Two-Party System
The two-party system has dominated American politics for more than 150 years.
However, in some elections voters have supported a third party and independent candidates
Third party- any political party in a two-party system besides the two major ones
Independent candidate- candidate that is not associated with any political party