1. POLITICAL PARTIES

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVE I can define a political party and describe their major functions

3. POLITICAL PARTY Definition Group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office 2 Major Parties Republican Democrat 3 separate but related elements Party Organization Leaders, activists People who give time, money and skill to party Party in Government Party’s elected or appointed officials in executive, legislative or judicial at federal, state, or local level Party in the Electorate Millions of people who identify with Republican or Democrats and vote in elections for candidates

4. WHAT PARTIES DO Nominate Candidates Choose candidates then present to voters Party then tries to help win election Inform and Activate Supporters Campaign for their candidates Criticize opponents Take stands on critical issues Chooses side many will support and few will detract Uses many mediums to distribute info to electorate Create Cohesiveness Chooses candidates of good character and qualified Tries to get candidates to do good while in office Failure will hurt candidate and party in the future

5. WHAT PARTIES DO (CONT.) Govern Party runs government Candidates decide, vote and appoint based on party Partisan politics Government based on party ideas and principles Watchdog Particularly party OUT OF POWER Keeps close watch over what government is doing Used to help win voters in next election

6. LEARNING OBJECTIVE I can identify why the United States has a 2 party system

7. REASONS THE U.S. IS A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM Historical reason Framers hoped to create system in which politics does not play a role No mention of political parties in Constitution Failed – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Traditional reason America has been two-party from its beginnings Minor parties have little chance at success

8. REASONS (CONT) Electoral System encourages 2 parties Single member districts Usually only 2 candidates emerge because only 1 can win Discourages minor parties from running candidates Once in office GOP and Dems do not change what got them there American Ideological Consensus Ideological – relating to or concerned with ideas American public is relatively homogeneous Share many of same ideas and principles Does not mean we are the SAME on ALL issues Republican and Democrats But most are moderate, middle of the road

9. LEARNING OBJECTIVE I understand how a multiparty and one-party system is different and how those differences affects the way in which the State functions

10. MULTIPARTY SYSTEM Parties based on a particular interest Economic class, religious belief, political ideology, etc. Supporters Claim Better represents people Gives better choices on importance Critics Cannot get a majority to govern Forced to form coalition Temporary alliance of several groups Dissolve quickly and drastic change occurs Found??? Canada, Western Europe

11. ONE-PARTY SYSTEM State that only one party is permitted to exist Party makes all political decision MOST OFTEN FOUND IN DICTATORSHIPS!!! North Korea, Cuba, Former Soviet Union Modified one party system Created when one party dominates election for long period of time Southern States from 1870s until 1960s Texas Today