1. POLITICAL PARTIES AND WHAT THEY DO
What is a political party
What do parties do
5 main things

2. What is a Party?
Political Party- group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office
Major Parties
Republicans
Democrats
More to it
Common principles
Want certain policies and programs

3. Why Political Parties Parties essential in democracies
Develop broad policies
Options presented to people through parties
Serve as link b/w govt and governed
Encourage compromise
Bring diverse groups together
Soften extremist views

4. Major Functions Nominating Candidates Essential in democracy
Select a candidate
Present them to voters
Essential in democracy
Almost exclusively done by parties

5. Major Functions cont. Informing and Activating Support
Inform people of issues
Inspire and organize support for/against issues
Parties not alone here
Present helpful info
Signs, Buttons, Pamphlets, Stickers, Advertisements, Speeches, Rallies, Conventions
Take stands to help them win elections

6. Major Functions cont. Bonding Agent Function
Ensures good performance of candidates
Parties pick qualified candidates
Parties pick ppl w/ good character
Prompt candidates to perform well
Both party and candidate can suffer if this does not happen

7. Major Functions cont. Governing
US is largely govt by party
Much voting and business done by partisanship
Strong support of specific party and its policy stands
Many appointments done by party
Political parties make electoral process work

8. Major Functions cont. Act as a Watchdog
Keep an eye on the conduct of the other party
Party not in power especially watches Party in Power
Party that controls the Executive Branch
Party out of power needs to play “loyal opposition”
Be against PIP, but loyal to country

9. TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN AMERICAN HISTORY
First Parties
Four Major Eras

10. First Political Parties
Federalists
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Represented wealthy, upper-class
Favored strong national govt
Loose interpretation of Const.
Anti-Federalists, Democratic-Republicans, Democrats
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Represented “common man”
Favored state control of govt
Strict interpretation of Const

11. 1st Major Era The Era of the Democrats 1800-1860
Dems win all but 2 elections
Whigs emerge in s
Republican Party founded in 1854

12. 2nd Major Era The Era of the Republicans 1860-1932
Reps win all but 4 elections
Civil War hurt Dems
But keep “Solid South”

13. 3rd Major Era The Return of the Democrats 1932-1968
Dems win all but 2 election
FDR elected 4 times

14. 4th Major Era (Current) The Era of Divided Govt Nixon and Ford 1968-76
Since 1968
No one party has dominated executive branch
Congress often controlled by opposing party
Nixon and Ford
Reps hold Pres Dems hold Congress
Carter
Dems hold Pres and Congress

15. 4th Major Era (Current) Reagan and Bush Sr. 1980-92 Clinton 1992-00
Reps hold Pres Congress switches
Clinton
Dems hold Pres Reps hold Congress
Bush Jr
Reps hold Pres and Congress

16. Obama 2008-16 Dems hold Pres Congress switches
4th Major Era (Current)
Obama
Dems hold Pres Congress switches