1. Political Parties An Overview Target: I can explain the purpose of Political Parties in our system.

2. Political Parties A group of people who seek to control the government through the winning of elections, and the holding of office

3. The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented

4. The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented Each party is a coalition who have come together to get a candidate elected

5. The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented Each party is a coalition who have come together to get a candidate elected Results in different beliefs and ideals with in one party

6. The Two Major Parties The two major parties today are not principle or issue oriented, rather they are election oriented Each party is a coalition who have come together to get a candidate elected Results in different beliefs and ideals with in one party Not like-minded

7. What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government

8. What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government

9. What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government They modify and make compromises between the various sides and issues

10. What the Parties Do A link between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government They modify and make compromises between the various sides and issues This unifies

11. What the Parties Do Al ink between the people and the government Let the will of the people be known to the government They modify and make compromises between the various sides and issues This unifies Softens the impact of decisions

12. What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates

13. What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government

14. What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters

15. What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters You should vote because…

16. What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters You should vote because… Grant their seal of approval upon candidates

17. What the Parties Do The major function is to nominate candidates Want to gain control of the government They inform and stimulate voters You should vote because… Grant their seal of approval upon candidates Endorse a candidate

18. What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions

19. What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions Partisan issues

20. What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions Partisan issues They are a watchdog

21. What the Parties Do They shape how the government functions Partisan issues They are a watchdog The party out of power will watch the other and report on wrong-doings

22. The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system?

23. The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists

24. The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists tradition

25. The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists Tradition The functioning of the electoral system

26. The Two-Party System Why do we have a two-party system? Historical reasons, Federalist and Anti- Federalists Tradition The functioning of the electoral system Single-member districts Plurality (winner-takes-all)

27. The Two-Party System The American Ideology

28. The Two-Party System The American Ideology In the grand scope, the American peoples’ political beliefs are quite similar

29. The Two-Party System The American Ideology In the grand scope, the American peoples’ political beliefs are quite similar This has allowed a two-party system to persist

30. Other Systems Multiparty System

31. Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties

32. Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties Usually based upon religion, economic, political ideology

33. Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties Usually based upon religion, economic, political ideology This leads to truer representation of the people

34. Other Systems Multiparty System In many European countries, they have systems that support many parties Usually based upon religion, economic, political ideology This leads to truer representation of the people Leads to instability and deadlock when parties must share the government

35. Other Systems One-Party Systems

36. Other Systems One-Party Systems In essence, this is a no-party system

37. Other Systems One-Party Systems In essence, this is a no-party system The only party is the party in power

38. Membership in Parties Parties typically are a cross-section of the American Society, however, some broad generalizations can be drawn

39. Democrats African-Americans, Catholics, Jews, union members, not college educated

40. Republicans White, males, Protestants, business, community, wealthy, college educated