1. Development of Party Systems
CIVICS—CHAPTER 9, SECTION 1
CE.5a and CE.5b
Mr. Collins & Mrs. Kozlik

2. Functions of Political Parties
1—Recruit and nominate candidates for public office
2—Educate the electorate (voting public) about campaign issues
3—Help their candidates win elections
4—Monitor actions of officeholders

3. The Two-Party System
Since 1860, two major parties have existed in American politics: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party
These two parties share many similarities and yes, many differences
Major differences are reflected in their platforms—party’s goals and positions on issues

4. Party Similarities Both organize to win elections
They influence public policy
Both reflect liberal and conservative views
They both try to gain a majority of the American public’s support by appealing to the political center—where most people agree on issues (mainstream)

5. Party Differences
The two major parties usually disagree on the following issues in their platforms:
Taxes (tax wealthy vs. tax cuts)
Civil rights (marriage laws/minorities)
Government assistance (welfare)
Education (public vs. school choice)
Health (universal vs. individual care)
The Economy (intervention vs. free mkt.)

6. Democrats vs. Republicans
The 2 parties generally differ in their belief about how much the government should be involved in American lives
Democrats: Govt. should be more involved in regulating the economy & provide for the poor
Republicans: Govt. should have less involvement in regulating the economy. They should help the economy to grow, then poor people will be able to provide for themselves.

7. Donkey (Democrats) vs. Elephant (Republicans)
Invented by Thomas Nast (political cartoonist
Invented as a joke
Eventually adopted as emblems for the parties

8. Advantages of Two-Party System
1—Stability: since both parties try to help or influence most Americans, radical practices of government are eliminated
2—Continuity: No matter if Republicans or Democrats are in power the transition between the two is smooth

9. Disadvantages of Two-Party
Minority views held by smaller political parties are rarely given an opportunity to gain public attention

10. Other Party Systems
Multiparty system—three or more political parties battle for power
Common for parties to win by plurality—just more votes; not a majority
One party system: party and govt. are the same thing—example: Communist Party in China

11. What about Third Parties?
Introduce new ideas or press for a particular issue
They are usually pushing a single issue, a political belief, or single candidate
Third parties have never won a presidential election, but they have influenced outcomes and government in general

12. Third Parties in the Past:
Prohibition Party (1872): ban alcohol
The Populist Party (1890’s): farm and work reforms
Progressive Party (1912): Theodore Roosevelt was it’s Presidential Candidate in 1912
Libertarian Party and American Socialist Party
Independent H. Ross Perot (1992)

13. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
DFT1

14. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers.
Checking for Understanding
Define Match the terms on the right with their definitions on the left.
__ 1. each individual part of a political party’s platform
__ 2. a series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues
__ 3. a party that challenges the two major parties
__ 4. a system of government in which two parties compete for power
__ 5. an association of voters with broad common interests who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party’s candidates to public office E
A. political party
B. two-party system
C. third party
D. platform
E. plank D C B A
Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers.
Section 1-28

15. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
What do you think of the concept of a “nonvoters’ party”? What course of action is the cartoonist supporting?
Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Time1

16. Possible answer: The cartoonist is using irony to remind citizens that they have the potential to wield political power–but that the only way to exercise this power is through voting.
Time2