1. The Structure and Organization of Political Parties

2. What are the Functions of Political Parties?
Political parties are organized groups of people who hold similar views about how government should operate.
The parties attempt to influence government by electing candidates who share similar beliefs
Basic values may be similar but not all members of a political party share the same beliefs.
Factions, or divisions of the larger group, can sometimes form within a party

3. What are the Major Political Parties in the United States?
The United States has a two-party system
Democrats and Republicans are the two primary political parties
Democrats are said to hold more liberal political ideology
Republicans tend to have more conservative views

4. What are the Major Political Parties in the United States?
Both parties try to appeal to as many voters as possible.
As a result, they tend to adopt mainstream, moderate positions and avoid extremes.
The parties are also similar because the American people generally agree about many issues.

5. What are the Types of Party Systems?
One-party: A system in which one political party has the ability to win elections, and no other parties are permitted to have candidates in elections
Examples: China and Iran

6. What are the Types of Party Systems?
Two-party: A system in which two political parties have real ability to win elections
Example: United States

7. What are the Types of Party Systems?
Multi-party: A system in which three or more political parties have the real ability to win elections
Examples: Canada, Germany, and Israel

8. Fears of our system……. Dangers of factions…. Factions or divisions
Lack of choices
Dangers of factions…. Factions or divisions
Washington’s warnings….Jefferson and Hamilton

9. What are Third Parties?
Third parties compete against the two major American political parties
A third party has never won a presidential election and rarely wins other major elections.
Third parties can influence the outcome of elections and may influence policy.

10. Advantages / Disadvantages
Name a few that aren’t on the page.

11. Multi-Party System
Plurality – With three + candidates - a party can win the election with a majorirty.
Coalitions – control most multi-party systems
Why unstable?

12. One Party System Little Freedoms Competition usually not allowed.
Create a Venn Diagram outlining the three types of “Party Systems”.
Create a compare and contrast chart between Republicans and Democrats.

13. What are Third Parties?
Farmers and laborers formed the Populists in the 1890s.
They called for the direct election of senators and an eight-hour working day.
They did not win, but the two major parties adopted many of their ideas.

14. What are Third Parties?
In 1912, former Republican president Theodore Roosevelt ran for president for the Progressives, or Bull Moose Party.
He won enough votes away from the Republican candidate, William Howard Taft, that Democrat Woodrow Wilson won the election.

15. What are Third Parties?
Some third parties arise to promote a social, economic, or moral issue.
The Prohibition Party pushed for laws against the sale of alcohol.
Single-issue parties fade when the issue loses importance or a major party adopts it.

16. What are Third Parties?
Ideological parties focus on changing society in major ways.
The Socialist Labor Party and Communist Party favor government ownership.
The Libertarian Party wants more individual freedom.
The Green Party opposes the power of corporations.

17. Stop Here…….

18. Spectrum of Political Ideology
RADICAL----LIBERAL----MODERATE----CONSERVATIVE----REACTIONARY
(Far Left) (Middle) (Far Right)

19. What is the Spectrum of Political Ideology?
Radical: Ideology that embraces rapid changes in the structure of society
Sometimes use extreme methods like violence or revolution
Considered to be far left of the spectrum

20. What is the Spectrum of Political Ideology?
Liberal: Ideology that supports political and social reform
Expansion of federal social services-welfare
Government intervention in the economy
Efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, women and the environment
Liberals believe in equality

21. What is the Spectrum of Political Ideology?
Moderate: Ideology shares viewpoints of both liberals and conservatives
Tolerance of other’s views and do not hold extreme views of their own

22. What is the Spectrum of Political Ideology?
Conservative: Ideology that supports the social and economic status quo and minimizing the power and control of the government
Opposed to government regulations on businesses
Value social positions such as school prayer
Traditional family
Oppose school busing
Believe in liberty

23. What is the Spectrum of Political Ideology?
Reactionary: Ideology that embraces ideas that focus on the past
Often willing to use extreme methods
Repressive use of government power
Considered on the far right of the ideological spectrum

24. How do Political Parties Operate?
Political parties have a formal structure
National level
Each party has a national committee made up of representatives from every state
Holds a National Convention
Establishes party rules
Writes the party’s platform
Party platform is a document that contains the philosophy, principles, and positions on issues
Planks are individual topics within the platform

25. How do Political Parties Operate?
Local level
Most important level
All voting takes place here
Most volunteers work at this level
Elections here affect people the most
Grassroots movements
Start at the local level
Volunteers in the community give their time to support the local party which can lead to helping the national party.

26. How do Political Parties Operate?
In the past, American parties operated as a political machine
Promoted individuals with political ties instead of merit and abilities
It is still not uncommon to use patronage and appoint supporters to government positions