Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byColin Lee Modified over 8 years ago
1
America’s Political Parties An Overview and Their History
2
America’s Political Party Founding Era (1790s-1812) Birth of political parties Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans Era of Good Feeling (1820s to 1850s) Growth of parties on state level Democrats and Whigs Golden Age (1860-1932) Republicans (emerge from Whig Party) rule from Lincoln to FDR (Wilson) Democratic Age (1932-1968) Democrats in control of Congress and Presidency Modern Era (1968-Today) Divided government (one party presidency; other Congress)
3
What are political parties? Team of people seeking to control government through being elected Unlike interest groups who want to influence government Collective set of similar political ideologies Support many issues Unlike interest groups who support few Political parties are like a circus tent… many can gather underneath
4
What viewpoints are supported by America’s parties? How do they differ on… – Taxes? – Foreign policy? – Social issues (abortion gay marriage, etc.)? – Environment? – Law and order?
5
What Are Political Parties For? Political parties collectivize public opinion by: Picking candidates Running campaigns Making voting simpler Less choices, clearer symbols, presenting information Creating policy positions (making it clear) Coordinate policymaking at different levels
6
Why the Fuss? People are dissatisfied with party system Theory of Responsible Party Government 1. Parties should present clear and coherent programs to voters 2. Voters should choose candidates on basis of party’s ability to execute programs 3. Winning party is obliged to carryout program 4. Voters should hold governing/majority party responsible at election time
7
Competing for Policy Two basic generalizations: 1. As voters, we want the best chance our policy choices will be adopted 2. Parties want to win office To win elections, parties must select favorable policies
8
BIG QUESTION To what extent do the Republicans and Democrats meet the Theory of Responsible Party Government? Do they provide voters’ favorable policy choices?
9
Political Ideologies WHAT ARE THEY?
10
An Introduction What is an ideology? A set of ideas (values, expectations, myths) about how society should operate Political ideologies studied in comparison on a political spectrum Liberal Conservative Moderate
11
A Different View on the Political Spectrum Government Involvement in the Economy Maintaining Traditional Values Order Freedom Liberal Communitarian / Populist Conservative Libertarian Order
12
What is a Conservative? Basic values: Personal responsibility Limited government Traditional values Free markets (laissez-faire) Strong national defense Duty of government to provide freedom necessary for people to pursue their own goals Idea of government as a “strict father”
13
Liberal View of the Conservative
14
What is a Liberal? Basic values: Equal opportunity Equality for all Duty of state to protect civil liberties, alleviate social ills, and promote human rights People are innately good Can also be called “progressives” Idea of state as “nurturing mother”
15
Conservative View of the Liberal Liberal
16
Other Ideologies Libertarian: maximization of individual liberty in thought and action and the minimization of the state Communitarian/Populism: need to balance individual rights and interests with that of the community as a whole Socialism/Communism Extreme Conservatism: nationalism, authoritarianism, racism Very diverse thoughts-from Nazism to McCarthyism Reactionary in nature Neo-conservatism: support using American economic and military power to bring democracy and human rights to other countries; usually supportive of “big government” Others include: feminism, environmentalism, Islamism, anarchism
17
Conclusion: Ideologies are Not Perfect Some thinking points… Conservatives oppose abortion saying they want to save the lives of unborn fetuses but also oppose government programs like prenatal care and have voted to eliminate similar programs resulting in a higher infant mortality rate Liberals support federal funding for AIDS research and treatment, while promoting the spread of AIDS by sanctioning sexual behavior that leads to AIDS (supporting gay marriage, distribution 0f condoms) Contradictions in Both Camps
18
America’s Two-Party System and Third Parties AN OVERVIEW
19
Types of Party Systems Single-party system: laws or practices prevent opposition from taking power Typically undemocratic and totalitarian Examples: China (Communist Party of China), Eritrea (People’s Front for Democracy and Justice), Syria (Baath Party) Two-party system: use a plurality voting system to prevent votes from being split between many candidates Typically left-wing and right-wing nature of parties Examples: Japan (Liberal Democrats and Democrats), Jamaica (Labour Party and People’s National Party), and the United States Multi-party system: two or more parties have ability to gain control separately or in coalition Needs proportional representation to exist Examples: India, Germany, Israel
20
Types of Third Parties in America Single-issue: seeking a singly policy (usually revealed in name) Examples: Prohibition Party, Marijuana Party Splinter: breaks away from a major party due to ideological disagreement Examples: Constitution Party, America First Party Economic protest: usually based in a region, protest against depressed economic conditions Examples: U.S. Labor Party, Working Families Party Ideological: profess a comprehensive view of society and government, which is radically different from the major parties Examples: Libertarian Party, Green Party
21
Historic Third Parties in America Bull-Moose Party/Progressive Party 1912: Theodore Roosevelt keeps Taft from winning 2nd term Populist Party (late 1800s) Dixiecrats (later 1940s) Boycott Democrats who were supporting civil rights Other major independents George Wallace (1968)-46 Electoral College votes Ross Perot (1992)-19% of popular vote; allowed Bill Clinton to win with less than 50% of vote Ralph Nader (2000)-possibly prevented Gore from winning in Florida
22
How are 3rd Parties Formally Limited? Plurality representation Debate rules 15% rule Ballot access laws Registration fees Signatures needed
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.