1. Unit 3: Participating in Government
Citizens & Political Parties
Voting
Electoral Process
Media
Interest Groups

2. Vocabulary Citizen Civil Disobedience Petition Policy Protest
Public Agenda
Public Policy
Efficacy
Ideology
1st Amendment
Bipartisan
Conservative
Liberal
Moderate
Multiparty System
Partisanship
Plurality
Political Party
Politicial Spectrum
Split Party
Third (minor) Party
Two-party System

3. Learning Outcomes
Determine how the public agenda is set and shaped by individual citizens.
Explain how the individual can play a role in influencing governmental policy.
(H) Formulate a plan of action to influence governmental policy on a current issue on the local, state, or national level.
Analyze the roles of political parties, campaigns and elections in United States’ politics.
Determine how the public agenda is set and shaped by political parties.

4. Intro/Warm Up Define the term, Political Party?
Which political party do you identify with and why?
Do you identify yourself as a liberal or conservative and why?
What does the term Big Government mean?

6. Political Spectrum

7. Warm Up
What are at least 3 examples of social issues which our government should deal with or has dealt with?
What are at least 3 examples of economic issues which our government should deal with or has dealt with?
Do you believe it should be the Government’s job to fix problems we have in society? Why or why not?

8. Vocabulary
Conservative – believing in maintaining the “status quo” by keeping established and traditional aspects of society; make changes with great caution.
Liberal – believing government should be active in social and political change; not opposed to new ideas that would bring change.
Moderate – avoiding extremes
Political Party – group of people with a broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and influence political policies.
Political Spectrum – range of political views
Big Government
Small Government

9. Party Platform Definitions
Right-to-work – prohibits unions to require membership, dues, or fees.
All-of-the-above Energy Approach - includes development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, nuclear, geothermal and biomass, along with clean coal and American-made oil and natural gas.
Repeal – take away or end
Gun Show Loophole – allows people to buy guns without background checks.

10. History of the American Political Parties
Evolution of Political Parties

11. Warm Up
What information did you use to figure out which way each person would vote?
When there was conflicting evidence in the person’s bio, how did your group come to a decision?
How do you think this decision process relates to real life?

12. Debrief/Discussion Questions
What information did you use to figure out which way each person would vote?
When there was conflicting evidence in the person’s bio, how did your group come to a decision?
How do you think this decision process relates to real life?
Can you see yourself having these issues when you are able to vote?
What are some ways to resolve some of these issues?

13. Warm Up
How do your views on the issues compare to the Republican and Democrat Platforms? Explain your answer.
What is the difference between flat tax rate and progressive tax?
Which issue do you most likely not agree with either political party or the political party you associate yourself with? Explain your stance.
Are there any issues/stances you don’t fully understand

14. Major Party Systems One Party System Multiparty System
One party influences all gov’t actions
Tolerates no opposition  Dictatorship
i.e. Cuba, North Korea, China, Vietnam
Multiparty System
Many parties have the ability to win gov’t control
Several parties work together to obtain a majority (coalition gov’t)
More options for people
i.e. UK, Germany, Israel, Brazil, Spain, Japan, Italy
Two Party System
two major political parties dominate politics within government
i.e. US, Jamaica, Malta

16. 3rd Parties Single-issue Party Ideological Party Splinter Party
Formed to oppose or promote one issue
i.e. National Woman’s Party, Prohibition Party, Free Soil Party
Ideological Party
Focus on overall change based on a set beliefs
i.e. Libertarian Party, Socialist Party of America
Splinter Party
Formed by people unhappy with a major party; usually short lived
I.e. Progressive “Bull Moose” Party with Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 (split Republican Vote), State’s Rights “Dixiecrats” Party in 1948 to oppose racial integration.

17. What are challenges 3rd (Minor) Parties face?
3rd Parties
What are challenges 3rd (Minor) Parties face?
What impact can a 3rd (Minor) Party have on an election? What importance?

18. More Vocabulary Policy – an issue or belief
Public Policy – goals that the gov’t pursues
Public Agenda – issues which the people’s attention if focused
Ideology – set of beliefs or way of thing
Plurality – largest number of votes cast for office
Bipartisan – support by two parties; two political parties working together
Partisanship – firm allegiance to political party
Citizen – member of a state or nation and is entitled to full civil rights.
1st Amendment – freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, assembly
Civil Disobedience – people deliberately violate the law thru non-violence in opposition to a law or public policy
Petition – written letters to bring their views to the attention of public officials
Protest – go against
Efficacy – power to produce a desired result

19. Partisanship & Bipartisanship

21. Quiz Review Terms Monday, 2/10
Bipartisan
Conservative
Liberal
Moderate
Multiparty System
Partisanship
Plurality
Political Party
Political Spectrum
Splitter (Splinter) Party
Third (minor) Party
Two-party System
Know political party platform stances on political issues