1. POLITICAL PARTIES:
A group of citizens who are organized to win elections, control government and set public policy
GOVT6a

2. Issues or Elections?
Most political parties are made up of people who are committed to a common set of public policies and programs.
The Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S. are coalitions that are election-oriented rather than issue-oriented.

3. What do these parties do?

4. The Nominating Function:
Parties recruit and choose candidates
Parties provide nominees with a solid base of support – economic as well as voters!

5. The Informer-Stimulator Function
Parties take stands on issues and criticize the stands taken by their opponents.
Parties use the news media to help perform this “educational” function.
Parties encourage their people to vote.

6. The “Seal of Approval” Function
Parties “ensure” that the people they nominate are qualified and of good character.
Parties work to ensure that elected officials perform their duties well.

7. The Governmental Function:
Both state and federal officials are regularly appointed on a partisan basis.
Parties are the major agent for cooperation between the branches of government.
Congress is organized along party lines.

8. The Watchdog Function:
The party out of power (opposition party) scrutinizes and criticizes the actions of the government.
This forces officials to be more responsive to popular concerns.

9. Parties guide public policy:
Parties translate popular concerns into practical plans
Parties serve as a coalition for groups of particular interests
Parties are a practical means of interpreting public opinion
Simplify political decisions between two dominant choices...

10. America’s Parties
Are Coalitions…