1. Chapter 5: Political Parties

2. What is a Political Party? (5.1)
Shared political beliefs
Seek to win elections to control gov’t
113th Congress – Senate th Congress - HR

3. What do Political Parties do? (5.1 cont)
A link between the people and the gov’t.
4 main jobs of political parties
Nominating candidates – main function of PP
Must be credible candidates and good once elected
Informing & Activating Supporters
Campaigns, commercials, pamphlets, rallies, etc.
Governing
Many of our politicians are chosen by party. They must follow the party – Partisanship
Encourages compromise within the gov’t
Acting as a Watchdog
Mostly done by the party out of power - Romney Obama

4. Different types of Party Systems (5.2)
Multiparty Systems
Most of Europe
Many parties have a real chance of winning
Each party has a different agenda
Positives & Negatives
More choice, more diverse rep., more instability
Coalition to win support of majority
One-Party Systems (aka “No Party”)
Dictatorships
Certain areas of America

5. British Parties

6. America’s Two-Party System (5.2)
Minor parties exist, but only 2 major parties have a real chance to win
Why a two-party system?
Tradition – Federalists and Anti-Fed
Electoral system – laws help major parties
American Ideological Consensus

7. Evolution of the Two-Party system
The history of American politics can be broken up into 4 eras
The Era of the Democrats,
Began with Jefferson
The Era of the Republicans,
Civil War (Lincoln) - Depression
The Era of the Democrats,
FDR - Nixon
Divided Government
Mistrust

8. The Future of the Two-Party System
Probably will weaken
More independents
Split-ticket voting
Primary Elections
Technology helps

9. Timeline of election results

10. Minor Parties Wide variety Have little (if any) chance of winning.
Importance:
Innovators
Critics
Spoiler
Examples:
Green, Reform, Libertarian, Tea, Right to Life, Communist

11. Democrats vs. Republicans
Many factors influence political socialization
Geography, Gender, Age, Race, Education, Income, Occupation, Religion
Family
Often, these factors conflict
Issues

12. Democrats (Liberal, Left) Republicans (Conservative, Right) Symbol
Leaders
Government size
Business
Taxes
Abortion
Social Spending
Defense Spending
Immigration
Death Penalty
Same-sex marriage
Affirmative Action
Domestic (ANWR) Drilling
Kyoto Treaty
Crime
School Vouchers
Three strikes law
Minimum Wage
Social Security
Health Care
Religion
World Peace
Gun Control