Political Parties

In the Constitution…

Find the explanation of how political parties must form

Outline the steps it takes to form a party

Oops!

There is NO MENTION of political parties Founding Fathers were against them Georgie warned of competition in farewell

address

American Political Parties…What’s the Purpose

1. bring people together to achieve control of the government

2. develop policies favorable to their interests or to the groups that support them

3. organize…persuade voters to elect their candidates to office

4. represent their constituents

5. attempt to put philosophy into practice through legislation

Party Systems

one-party systemthe party captures control of the government and does not allow other parties to form; most one-party systems allow elections, but they are not competitive because only that party’s candidates appear on the ballot--China, Iran,N. Korea

two-party systemwhere two major political parties compete for control of the government;different parties might control local, state, and national government--US

multiparty systemmany parties compete for control over the legislative branch of government (thehead of the government is the leader of one of the major parties in the legislature);these systems usually arise in countries with a strong parliamentary system--Germany, Italy, France, Israel, Japan

Political Parties

Republican Conservative ideology ‘Small’ Government ‘Low’ taxes Platform 2012PC: Mitt Romney

Democrat Liberal ideology ‘Big’ Government ‘High’ Taxes Platform 2012PC: Barack Obama

Political Ideologies

LiberalismAn ideology favoring an active role for

government in efforts to solve society’s problems

Conservatism An ideology favoring a limited role for government

and more private initiative by non governmental groups in efforts to solve society’s problems

Party Association & Definition Changes Over Time…why might that be?

Generally speaking…

…Republicans hold more conservative views, and Democrats more liberal views.

Why Third Parties Then?

People frustrated with the 2 party system form 3rd parties to express their opinions in constructive ways!!! (yay Democracy!!!)

sooooo…do they ever have an impact??

The Role of Minor PartiesA third party or minor party is any party other than the two major parties.Their common thread is that they believe that neither party is meeting certain needs. A third party runs a candidate to propose a remedy to thesituation and/or to draw attention to their specific issue(s) or ideology.

single-issue partyfocuses exclusively on one major economic, social, or moral issue ex: Prohibition Party, Women’s Suffrage Party, Right to Life Party

ideological partyfocuses on overall change in society rather than on one single issue ex: Communist Party, Socialist Party, Libertarian Party

splinter partysplits away from one of the two major parties because of some disagreement ex: Green Party

*Electoral vote = 1 vote per rep. & senator in each state to vote for President

A Couple Key Third Parties…

Skim through the platform excerpts from the Libertarian Party and the Green Party

Do you associate any of your beliefs with their ideals?