1. DOES THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM HELP OR HARM DEMOCRACY? CHAPTER 5 POLITICAL PARTIES

2. But first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqZuogH6IZs

3. Winning isn’t everything…. It’s the ONLY THING. Political Party  a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office Joined together on the basis of certain common principles

4. Political Parties also…  seek to modify the contending views of various interests and groups, encourage compromise, and so help to unify, rather than divide the American people.  attempt to soften the impact of extremists are both ends of the political spectrum (range of political views)

5. POLITICAL PARTIES  are essential to a democratic government  shape the way the government works  performs important functions help to link the people and their wishes to government action Help to unify people by… COMPROMISE

6. What Parties Do… They preform FIVE major functions: 1. Nominating Candidates 2. Informing and Activating Supporters 3. Help to Ensure their candidates are qualified and of good character 4. Governing Responsibilities 5. Act as WATCHDOGS over the conduct of the Gov.

7. NOMINATING CANDIDATES MAJOR FUNCTION select candidates and present them to the public Then work to help them win elections

8. INFORMING AND ACTIVATING SUPPORTERS Inspire people to participate in political affairs HOWEVER  inform and inspire people as IT THINKS they should be informed What are some ways parties try to win support for their candidates? 1. pamphlets 2. buttons, signs, stickers 3. advertisements 4. speeches, rallies, conventions

10. The Bonding Agent Function It ensures the good performance of its candidates and officeholders FYI: For Example: THE VETTING PROCESS Politicians are often thoroughly vetted. For example, in the United States, a party's presidential nominee must choose a vice-presidential candidate to accompany them on the ticket. Prospective vice- presidential candidates must undergo thorough evaluation by a team of advisers acting on behalf of the nominee. In later stages of the vetting process, the team will examine such items as a prospective vice-presidential candidate's finances, personal conduct, and previous coverage in the media

11. GOVERNING Congress and state legislatures are organized according to party lines PARTIANSHIP  the strong support of their party and its policy stands In contrast to  BIPARTIANSHIP Working together

15. THE WATCHDOG FUNCTION  the party NOT IN POWER keeps an especially close eye on the policies and behaviors of the party in charge Criticism “throw the rascals out” “outs” should be in the “ins” & vice versa

17. The Two-Party System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqS2lkCKesM&list=PLalcRJM5oe UcFpXsVGqbqLbX2inKve1h0&index=2 Democrat = Donkey Republican = Elephant WHY???

18. But why a Two Party System? The Historical Bias: Remember  the Framers were opposed to this! Saw them as divisive and full of disunity But we know…Anti Federalists vs Federalists So thus…no where in the Const. does it talk about political parties.

19. Force of Tradition Hard to change tradition “We accept because it has always been this way!!” Does that make it right? INBRED SUPPORT FOR THE ARRANGEMENT FYI:  so do Minor Parties have a chance? America has a two party system because America has a two party system Next time….we will see why!

20. Multiparty Systems Each party based on a particular interest People argue it would be responsive to the will of the people Give voters a more meaningful choice Major Weakness: Instability FYI  America has shunned this idea. WHY?

21. The Two-Party System Why do we have a two party system?  1. Historical Basis – division between Federalists and Anti-Federalists  2. Tradition – it has always been that way, so it naturally self-perpetuates

22. The Two-Party System 3. The American Ideological Consensus – for the most part, we pretty much agree on all of the major stuff  People should own property  We should have equality  People have the right to vote

23. The Two-Party System 4. The Electoral System – the U.S. uses single-member districts… that means only one person wins representation from each district

24. What is Ideology? Ideology is basically the way you look at how the world works Ideologies tend to be grouped in the U.S. into 3 main categories Liberal Moderate Conservative

25. What is Ideology? There are other “fringe” ideologies present as well (not as common)  Socialist (far left)  Marxist (far far left)  Libertarian (far right)  Religious fundamentalist (far far right) Liberal Moderate Conservative

26. FYI… Marxism, Socialism and Communism Throughout the World Many countries have adopted various forms of Marxism, socialism and communism. The former Soviet Union is the most famous example of a communist system of government, lasting from 1922 to 1991. The People's Republic of China has a communist government, although European countries like France, Italy and England have mixed economies with free market and socialist policies such as universal health care and free collegiate education. The United States, a capitalist mixed economy, has examples of socialist policies such as public schools, libraries and health care support in the form of Medicaid and Medicare for low income people and senior citizens. CAPITALISM: an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

27. Liberal and Conservative People do not have to be strictly liberal on all issues, or conservative on all issues You can mix the two to form your own individual ideology We group them because certain viewpoints tend to naturally go together

28. Liberal and Conservative Common Liberal Characteristics  Desire progressive change in society  Main values: Idealism, Equality, Fairness, Personal Freedom  Examples: ACLU, Sierra Club, NAACP, NOW, labor unions, Dems.

29. Liberal and Conservative Common Liberal Issue Stances  Pro-choice  Affirmative Action  Gun control  Progressive taxes (higher on rich)  Aid to the poor  Equal access to health care  Protecting the environment  Equal gay rights

30. Liberal and Conservative Common Conservative Characteristics  Desire to keep things as they are, maintain the status-quo, change should be cautious and slow  Main values: Realism, Law and Order, Justice, Morality, Economic Freedom  Examples: Christian Coalition, NRA, Americans for Tax Reform, Republicans

31. Liberal and Conservative Common Conservative Issue Stances  Anti-abortion  Belief in private sector efficiency over the government  Free gun ownership rights  Cutting taxes, less progressive taxation  Cutting regulations on businesses  Immigration control  Increased military spending  Support traditional marriage

32. What Do Parties Do? Nominate Candidates Inform and Activate Supporters The “Bonding Agent” Function – making sure that officeholders do a good job once they are elected Govern Act as a Watchdog – criticizes the opposing party

33. Multiparty Systems Several major parties, many lesser parties all compete for and win public office Mostly in Europe and Latin American Democracies Many parties must form a coalition, or a group of parties that form a majority

34. One-Party Systems Found in dictatorships where only one party is allowed Also found in places where one of the major parties has no chance of winning

35. Party Membership Patterns Party membership is voluntary Each party must try to attract as much support as possible

36. Party Membership Patterns Some demographic groups are more reliable to each party, though Tend to be Democrat – Female, African American, Hispanic, Catholic, Jewish, Union Member, Lower Income, Lower Education, Under 30, Over 60

37. Party Membership Patterns Some demographic groups are more reliable to each party, though Tend to be Republican – Male, White, Protestant, Work in the Business Community, Higher Income, Higher Education, Middle- Aged

38. SECTION TWO TWO PARTY SYSTEM IN AMERICA The Nation’s First parties? Federalists  stronger national government Anti Federalists  limited government 1. Jeffersonian Republicans 2. Democratic Republicans 3. DEMOCRATS

40. FOUR MAJOR ERAS 1. 1800-1860  Democrats won 13 of 15 presidential elections 2. 1860-1932  Republicans won 14 of 18 3. 1932-1968  Democrats won 7 of 9 4. 1968 – Present  Republicans won 7 of 11 Currently, Democrats control the White House and Senate…. But not the House (2010)

41. Era of Good Feeling The Democratic-Republicans essentially unopposed. However by 1820, split in FACTIONS (competing groups) New Party in Town  National Republicans (Whigs) Andrew Jackson = Democrat Henry Clay & Daniel Webster = Whigs

42. 1850s  Slavery Crisis The issue of slavery split both major parties Clay and Webster die, so does the Whig Party Democrat split into two groups: North and South One group now fought to win support from the old Whigs and disbanded Democrats  Republican Party Drew many Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats FIRST PRESIDENT  Abe Lincoln 1861

44. The Era of the Republicans Civil War  led to the beginning of One Party Sway 75 years  Republicans DOMINATED Democrats were crippled by war but hung on… Survived Reconstruction

46. The Return of the Democrats October 29, 1929  Stock Market Crashes THE GREAT DEPRESSION 1932  FDR and the Democrats in charge Revolutionary social and economic reform African Americans and other minorities now drawn to the party.

48. Era of Divided Government JFK 1960-1963 Shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald VP Lyndon B Johnson takes command  then wins his own election Republicans are coming back strong however with Richard Nixon. Democratic party torn apart over Vietnam War GOP  Reagan, Bush, Clinton, G.W. Bush,

49. WHY DOES THIS MATTER? Since Nixon won in 1968, America has been marked by divided government. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? 1. One major party occupies the White House 2. One major party hold the majority of one or both seats in Congress 2009  Barack Obama defeats John McCain Where do we go from here?.....

50. The Democratic Debate Hilary Clinton –former Secretary of State Bernie Sanders – Senator of Vermont Jim Webb – former Senator, Virginia Lincoln Chafee – former Rhode Island Gov. Martin O’Malley – Former Maryland Gov. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toAlBDI_Zew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVHmox70vbI https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-donald- trump-seen-as-the-gops-best-shot-in- 2016/2015/10/20/c6cb94ce-779c-11e5-bc80- 9091021aeb69_graphic.html

51. SECTION THREE THE MINOR PARTIES  none of these parties or their candidates has any real chance of winning the Presidency  But this is not to say that minor parties are unimportant Many have been short lived Some have lasted for decades FOUR DISTINCT TYPES OF MINOR PARTIES:

53. IDEOLOGICAL PARTIES  based on a particular set of beliefs Social, economic, and political matters Socialist and Communist Parties Libertarian Party  emphasizes individualism. Doing away with most of government’s present functions and programs Seldom win votes, long- lived however.

55. SINGLE-ISSUE PARTIES  focus on a single public-question Most fade into history once the policy issue dies Themes eventually fail to attract voters Major Parties may absorb these issues

57. ECONOMIC PROTEST PARTIES  proclaim their disgust with the major parties and demand better times No clear-cut ideological base Enemies = wall street bankers, foreign imports Each of these economic parties has disappeared as the nation has climbed out of the difficult economic period.

58. SPLINTER PARTIES  those that have split away from Major Parties Most important minor parties are these Most Famous: Bull Moose Progressive Party Formed around strong personality  often someone who has failed to win his or her major party’s nomination

59. The Green Party Started as a class “SINGLE ISSUE PARTY” It has evolved...most famous, RALPH NADER Environmental protection, universal health care, finance reform, etc. The party, which is the country's fourth-largest by membership, promotes environmentalism, nonviol ence, social justice, participatory grassroots democracy, feminism, LGBT rights, and anti-racism.

60. WHY MINOR PARTIES ARE IMPORTANT  still have a considerable impact on American politics and on the major parties A strong third party candidate can play a SPOILER role WHY??  a nominee can pull enough support away from a major party to affect the outcome of an election EXAMPLE  Ralph Nader and the Green Party in 2000, took votes from Al Gore http://study.com/academy/lesson/minor-third- parties-definition-role-examples.html

61. Minor Parties are.... Critics and Innovators!! Unlike Major parties  ready, willing, and able to take clear-cut stands on controversial issues