1. October 21, 2013
Objectives: Students will be able to define a political party, and the functions.
What are the differences between a Democrat and Republican?

2. Chapter 5 Political Parties
Section 1:
Political Parties and What They Do

3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR NOTEBOOK:
1. Name 2 political parties in the American political system.
2. Which political party is the oldest in American history?
3. Which political party favors less involvement by the government in our daily lives?
4. Which political party favors social welfare programs?

4. It’s NOT what you attend at a friend’s house
What is
a political
party?
It’s NOT what you attend at a friend’s house

5. What is a political party? (2 definitions)
1. Election oriented-
A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office.

6. What is a political party? (2 definitions)
2. Principle or issue oriented-
A group of persons joined together on the basis of common principles
seek to control government in order to affect certain public policies and programs.

7. The 2 major parties in American politics are:
1. Republicans

8. The 2 major political parties in American politics are:
2. Democrats

9. What Do Parties Do?
1. The vital link between the people and the government. 2. a.k.a. “Power brokers”- they bring conflicting groups together by encouraging compromise between contending groups.

10. 5 Major functions of political parties are:
1. Nominating Candidates for public office
They select candidates and present them to voters.
They work to help their candidates win elections

11. 5 major functions of political parties:
2. Informing and Activating Supporters
Parties campaign for candidates
take stands on issues
criticize the opponent’s positions on issues
try to activate people’s interest and participation in public affairs
Use pamphlets, signs, buttons, stickers, speeches, rallies, media advertisements.

12. 5 major functions of political parties are:
3. The Bonding Agent Function
Ensure the good performance, good character, and qualifications of its candidates and officeholders

13. 5 major functions of political parties are:
4. Governing
Congress and state legislatures conduct their business on the basis of partisanship
Political parties provide channels between the legislative and executive branches of government.
Constitutional change

14. 5 major functions of political parties are:
5. Acting as Watchdog
The “party out of power” criticizes the behavior of the “party in power”- the party that controls the executive branch of government.
This criticism tends to keep the party in power more responsive to the wishes and concerns of the people.

15. Democrats and Republicans dominate American politics
The Two-Party System
Who is Earl Dodge?
The Prohibition Parties candidate for President of the US in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000.
Why don’t you know him?
Democrats and Republicans dominate American politics
What does it mean?

16. Chapter 5, Section 2: Why a 2 party system?:
Throughout most of our history, the U.S. has been a 2- party nation (the 1st two political parties were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists)
The Constitution contains no provisions for political parties.
Single-member districts (aka SMD’s)-help to promote a two-party system, and they tend to discourage minor parties (most voters think of a vote for a minor party candidate as a “wasted vote.”)

17. The American ideological consensus:
Similarities:
Both political parties are considered to be moderate, built on compromise, and seek the same goal of winning the majority of votes in the electorate.
Republicans and Democrats regularly act in a bipartisan manner.

18. Differences: Each party tends to vote in favor of:
Republicans
-Private market economies
-Less Government regulation of business
-Less Government involvement in social programs
Democrats
-Social welfare programs
-More Government regulation of business
-More Government involvement in social programs
-Improve status of minorities

19. Multi-party Systems
Multi-party systems have historically been a feature of European democracies.
Various parties are based on particular interests such as:
economic class
religious belief
political ideologies
Coalitions
ex: Italy and France

20. One Party Systems
One party system= “no party system”

21. Party membership Patterns:
-Membership in a party is strictly voluntary -Each party has always been composed of a cross-section of the nation’s population. -No person or group is tied permanently to either party

22. Stereotypical alignment of voting patterns:
Democrats
African Americans
Catholic (until 2000) & Jewish People
Business Union Members
Republicans
White Males
Protestants
Business Community

23. Red: Republican
Blue: Democrat

24. Major sources of party identification:
Family
Major events
Economic status
Work environment
Age
Level of Education
Media

25. Final 5
Explain the 2 of the main functions of a political party & 2 differences between a Republican and a Democrat