Political Ideology

What is it?

The study of our political beliefs

Conservative or Liberal?

Pro ChoicePro Death PenaltyLess GovernmentSupports higher taxes for more programs

Supports an increase in defense spending

Allow gay marriageUniversal Health CareSupports Affirmative ActionSupports censorshipJudicial interpretivismSupport rehab over harsh punishments

Political Socialization

The process by which we acquire our political attitudes.

Let’s have a Political Party!!

Why do we have political parties?

What role do political parties play in American democracy?

How do political parties work?

Questions to consider

Definition. Name that vocab word:An organization that seeks to promote its ideas and policies.

It seeks to gain control of government by sponsoring candidates for office.

Political Party

Where did Political Parties first originate?

What was the fight over?

Federalists

Anti Federalists

What do Political Parties do?

1. Recruit candidates 2. Nominate candidates 3. Define Policy Agendas 4. Get candidates elected 5. Act as a watchdog

How does the party out of power serve an important function in

American Government?

Act as a watchdog

Does the United States have a two-party system or a

multi-party system?

Two-Party

System

Advantages to a 2-party system:

1. Candidate that wins most times has majority votes (or close).

2. Both parties tend to be more moderate3. Less likely to experience split-voting

◦2 conservative candidates and 1 liberal candidate

◦Conservative candidates are divided◦Liberal wins but most are conservative

Cons to a 2-party system

What if you aren’t satisfied with either party?

2 major parties might ignore people knowing that there is no real third choice.

How are third parties created?

GrassrootsBreaking away from the two main parties.

Ralph Nader/Al Gore 2000 election◦Some say Nader cost Gore the election because he took away some liberal voters

Impact of third parties

How do/can we benefit from third parties?

Third parties gain support from frustrated citizens –discuss issues that the two main parties aren’t

Forces two main parties to adopt those issues

Barriers for Third Parties

The system is set up so third parties won’t

win

Have to acquire large number of signatures

before their names can appear on ballots

Dollar-for-dollar matching fundsWorks for Dems and Repubs

Third party can’t claim it until AFTER the election is over

Can’t participate in debates unless they have 15% of support in the polls.

Why is that?YouTube - Rent Is Too Damn High Party Debate

Name that vocab word:Elected representatives voting along party lines.Republicans voting with Republicans on issues and Democrats voting with Democrats on issues

Partisanship

Name that vocab word:

Elected representatives working together, crossing party lines◦Republicans working with Democrats, and Democrats working with Republicans

Bipartisanship

Name those vocab words:

What are the two words that mean the same as voting?

Suffrage

Franchise

Name that vocab word:

Those eligible to vote

Electorate

Name that vocab word:

Current office holder

Incumbent

Name that vocab word:

Voting for more than one party on a given ballotRepublican presidential candidate, democratic governor candidate

Split-ticket voting

Name that vocab word:

Getting tired out as you go down the ballot, lose interest the more you have to vote.

Ballot Fatigue

Name that vocab word:

Voting by mail

Absentee Ballot

What are the three main voting requirements?

CitizenshipMN requires you to be a citizen for 3 months before you vote

Residence Most states require a voter to live in that state for 30 days before they vote. Some even shorter. *AZ longer at 50 days

*MN 20 days

Age 26th Amendment – All 18 year olds can

vote“Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.”

(Constitution does not prohibit states from allowing younger people from voting.)

Registration

States varyMN same-day registration

Denied the Vote

Mentally incompetent or in mental institutions

Convicts of serious crimes

Some states dishonorable discharges

Amendment Question:

Which Amendment gave African Americans the right to vote?

Which amendment

?

Vote NO on Woman Suffrage BECAUSE 90% of the women either do not

want it, or do not care. BECAUSE it means competition of women

with men instead of co-operation. BECAUSE 80% of the women eligible to vote

are married and can only double or annul their husband’s votes…

BECAUSE in some States more voting women than voting men will place the Government under petticoat rule.

BECAUSE it is unwise to risk the good we already have for the evil which may occur. “

More Likely to Vote:Higher incomeHigher educationConnections w/ the community

Long-time residentsStrong party identification

Characteristics of Non VotersUnder 35UnmarriedUnskilledMen tend to vote less than women