1. Development of Political Parties
Green Party
Libertarians
Development of Political Parties
Elections
Democrats
Republicans

2. A Political Party Definition
A group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and thereby influence government policies.

3. Tasks of Political Parties
Pick Candidates
Run Campaigns
Give Cues to Voters
Articulate Policies
Coordinate Policymaking

4. One Party Systems Usually authoritarian nations: Cuba China Vietnam
North Korea
Iran (Theocracy)

5. Multi-Party Systems France – 5 major parties Italy – 10 major parties
Great Britain – 2 major parties
Israel – 7 major parties
U.S. – 2 major parties

6. Political Parties in U.S.
Major
Republican
Democratic
Minor
Libertarian
Green
Constitution
                                  
                                                      

7. The Republican Party Nickname: The Grand Old Party (The GOP)
More conservative
More business oriented
Stronger on military issues/national security
Pro-Iraq War
Prefer smaller national government
Promote “family values” (strong morals)
Pro-life (anti-abortion)
Anti-gay rights

8. The Republican Party Red States
Who traditionally supports the Republican Party?
Large businesses
Wealthier people
Conservative religious groups
Military
Red States

9. The Democratic Party More liberal More diverse (race, ethnicity)
More “people” oriented (services)
Believe that government can solve problems
Comfortable with larger government
Generally oppose the Iraq war
Pro-Choice (pro-abortion)
Generally support gay rights

10. The Democratic Party Blue States Who traditionally supports the
Poorer people
Working class (unions)
Minorities
Highly educated people (intellectuals)
Blue States

11. Ideologies of American parties overlap.
Republicans
Democrats
Where are independents?

14. What Is A 3rd Party?
In American politics, any political party (other than the Democratic or Republican parties) is called a 3rd party.

15. Major 3rd Parties in the U.S.
Libertarian
Green Party
Constitution Party

16. Political Parties in U.S.
Other U.S. Political Parties (3rd Parties)
America First Party
Centrist Party
Independence Party of U.S.
Marijuana Party
Socialist Party (6 different versions)
Reform Party

17. Google: American Political Parties
Full List of 3rd Parties
Google: American Political Parties

19. Why do we have 3rd parties?
Single-issue party
Ideological party
Splinter party
Socialist Party
Bull Moose Party

20. American 3rd Parties
Open your book to page 456

21. Impact of 3rd Parties Sometimes they change the outcome of elections
Promote ideas (often adopted by major parties)

22. Obstacles to 3rd Parties
Often can’t get on ballot
People often view minor parties as a “wasted” vote
Single-Member Districts
Financing

23. Nominating Candidates

24. Schedule for Campaigns
2-3 years before election, the candidate is deciding to run and traveling around the country making speeches and drumming up support.
2 years before election, the candidate forms a planning committee.
1½ years before the election, the candidate formally announces and begins “running”.

25. Schedule for Campaigns
1 year before election, primaries begin in New Hampshire and Iowa.
6 months before election, each state has its own convention.
4 months before election, both parties hold national convention.
4 months before election, the “official” campaign season begins.

26. Schedule for Campaigns
The election finally arrives on 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November. This election actually elects the “electors.”
The “electors” cast their votes in December.
The “electors” votes are formally counted in late December.
The new President takes office in early January.

27. How Candidates Are Selected
Four ways
Caucuses (usually a meeting)
Nominating Conventions
Primary Elections
Petitions

28. How Candidates Are Selected
Caucus Process
A precinct caucus meets, delegates are elected to district
District meeting elects delegates to state convention
State convention elects delegates to national convention

29. How Candidates Are Selected
Primary Process
Local precinct elects “pledged” delegates to district convention.
District convention elects delegates to state convention.
State convention elects delegates to national convention.

30. Primary Elections Direct Primary Election
Closed Primary (only party members)
Open Primary (all voters)

31. The Texas Two-Step
Precinct holds primary election to determine votes for candidates.
After polls close (7:00 pm) for local primary election, anyone who voted in the primary can attend the precinct caucus to elect delegates to district convention.

32. Primary Elections
“Established leaders hate primaries for good reason …
Primaries suck up and waste large sums of money from contributors who might better be tapped for the November finals …
The charges and counter charges of primary civil war provide the enemy party with ammunition it can later use with blast effect …”
Theodore H. White, 1961
Presidential Historian

33. “Beauty Contests”
More than half of states with primaries hold “beauty contests” which are preference polls in which voters indicate which candidate they choose. Caucuses later choose the actual candidate.

34. “Beauty Contests”
You will see this term on a test and may be asked to explain how it relates to political contests.

35. Problems with Primaries
Extend over too long a time
Too costly
Exhausting for candidates
Too many opportunities for candidates to “stumble”
Tend to make the image of candidate (personality and appearance) more important than issues

36. Problems with Primaries
Normally, few people vote in primaries
If candidates lose early, they “die” politically
Small states want to be first, second
or third
Large states, with later primaries,
are left out
National conventions are usually “rubber-stamps”

37. Please Note: Last year’s race for the nomination from the Democratic Party was very different and not normal for races in the last 50 years.

38. National Conventions Media events Establish Platform
Big show for nominating the candidates
Select the Vice-Presidential candidate