1. The Political Spectrum

2. And now for your enjoyment….

3. Funnies of the day…

4. Another one…

5. And yet, another…

6. And because you love survey so much…. another

7. Radicals Man are by nature, good and cooperative.
Focused on the idea of the perfect society.
Government can become corrupt and should never infringe on the rights of individuals
Concerned with equality
Willing to resort to violence or breaking the law to achieve goals

8. Liberals Part of our system
Capitalism is best but needs some reforms
Human rights over property right
Government should help those who cannot
Reform should take moderate means
Need a large federal government
Belief in Free speech
All rights for all people should be protected
Need government regulations
“Left Wing”

9. Moderates Made up of both Republicans and Democrats
More concerned about compromise
Tend to agree with issues of both liberals and Conservatives
Tend to find Political candidates from this area
Can be criticized for not doing enough at times

10. Conservative Part of our system
Society represents accumulated wisdom and presents a proven formula
Status Quo
Legitimate authority is needed
Oppose strong central government
Favors state rights
Good of majority over the minority
Favors cutting government programs
Should protect economic interests
“Right Wing”

11. Reactionary Fascism
The ideas of the past are the correct ones which we should restore today.
Communism is a direct threat to our society
Willing to use any means necessary to achieve goals – violence or breaking laws

12. Other Terms
Socialist – man is a cooperative being who is willing to work with others in a communal effort. The purpose of society is not to make a profit rather it is to eliminate poverty.
Pragmatist – When a problem is present, it is to be solved. What ever solution works best for the particular problem should be used.

13. There is NO party here. The One-Party system Truly a no party system.
Exists in most dictatorships.
The government is simply an instrument of the party
Truly a no party system.
Ex. China

14. It’s my party (or lack thereof),
And I’ll cry if I want to.

15. So many parties, so little time.
Multi-Party System
Many parties based on religion, economic class, sectional attachment, or political ideology.
Unstable Coalitions must be formed.
ex. Germany (MOST European democracies)

16. Why is my date book so empty?
The two-party system.
Two dominant political parties control most elections. Minor parties, if they exist get little or no portion of the electorate.

17. What does it look like for us?
The Two-Party System
What does it look like for us?

18. What do Parties Do?
Nominate—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office.
Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates.
Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.

19. Republican Democrat Issues Free (private) Enterprise
Prove to us that Government can do it better
Democrat
Government
Prove that private industry can do it better

20. Philosophy Democrats Republicans Liberal
Promote policies that represent new approaches.
Republicans
Conservative
Cautious about change.

22. Support Republicans Democrats The Worker “Well-off”
Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
Democrats
The Worker
Change can only make things better. No success in the status-quo.

23. How do you think this may be different than 2004?
What about this election in 2008?

25. 2004

27. The Reality is not so black and white… or red and blue!

28. Reasons for Party Decline
Independents
Mistrust of Government
“Open” Primaries
Technology
End of Patronage
All of the above leads to…
Electoral Independence!!

29. What is a Political Platform?
States the main ideas of the party
Explains why it was started, stance on main issues and current agenda

30. Party Platform Differences
The Political Parties are NOT the same. They are supported by different types of people who feel differently on issues. Bills in Congress reflect party-line voting at least 90% of the time! If there wasn’t a “dimes worth of difference” between the parties, this would not be the case.

31. Economic Protest Parties
Minor Parties in the United States
Types of Minor Parties
Ideological Parties
Example: Libertarian Party-rights of the individual
Single-issue Parties
Example: Free Soil Party-eliminate slavery
Economic Protest Parties
Example: The Greenback Party-against gov’t regulation of $
Splinter Party
Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive Party-against patronage system

32. Party Types Factional (splinter) Parties Ideological Parties
Bull Moose, Reform
Ideological Parties
Libertarian, Communist
Single-Issue
Free Soil, Prohibition
Toga Parties
Power Parties
Democrats, Republicans

33. Minor Parties in the United States

34. Why are Minor Parties important?
Minor parties play several important roles:
“Spoiler Role”
Critic
Innovator

35. The Three Components of the Party
Party Components
The Party Organization:
Those who run and control the party machinery.
The Party in the Electorate
Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates.
The Party in Government
Those who hold office in the government.

36. More on the Future… For candidates:
Structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties
Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization
The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates with another source of financial support