Chapter 5 Political Parties

Chapter 5 Political Parties

C H A P T E R 5 Political PartiesSECTION 1Parties and What They DoSECTION 2The Two-Party SystemSECTION 3The Two-Party System in American HistorySECTION 4The Minor Parties S E C T I O N 1Parties and What They DoWhat is a political party?What are the major functions of political parties?

Question of the dayHave you ever ridden in a car with someone ho was such a bad driver that you wanted to stop the car and take over driving?

The political party that is out of office cannot wait to take control of government from the party that is in.What Is a Party?A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office.The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties.Chapter 5, Section 1

Our 2 Major Parties & Their Positions on IssuesRepublicansFavor less gov. regulations of economyShare the same thoughtBest way to promote prosperityStrong in South DemocratsWant government to provide basic needs, housing, jobs, income for peopleConcerned for welfare of the poorFederal Government more directly involvedNortheast statesBothAmericans Generally agree on many issues, so parties may seem similar and easy to agree withBoth adopt some moderate viewsBoth agree in economic growth = more jobsBoth our national partiesField candidates in elections

5 Things Parties Do

Nominate Candidates Recruit, choose, and present candidates to voters Inform and Activate SupportersCampaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates (TV ads, radio, newspaper, etc.)Act as Bonding Agent acts as bonding agent to ensure good performance of its candidates. Want to maintain a good reputation for future elections so want successful candidates.Governing those who govern are chosen on the basis of party. Congress is organized on party lines and business is conducted on basis of partisanship strong support for their party and policy stances.Act as a WatchdogParties out of power watch the actions of the party in power for blunders to use against them in the next election.

S E C T I O N 2The Two-Party SystemWhy does the United States have a two-party system?How do multiparty and one-party systems function and what are their influences on government?What membership characteristics do American parties have? Question of the DayExplain the saying twos company, threes a crowd. In this section, youll learn about how that saying can be applied to the American party system.Two Party systemIn the U.S., we have a two party system in a typical election, only the Republican and Democratic Partys candidates have a real chance of winning.

Both partys typically take middle of the road positions, and so help unify rather than divide the nation. At times, this can blur party lines.

DonkephantWhy a Two-Party System?Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, people feel like its a wasted vote.Electoral Laws. Laws are written by major parties so they make it more difficult to get on ballot. Ideological Consensus. Americans share many of the same ideals and principles favor the two major parties that are similarboth moderate, middle-of-the-road.Multiparty SystemsAdvantagesProvides broader representation of the people.Give voters more choices at the polls.

Disadvantages 1 party cannot usually win the majority of voters.As a result, the power must be shared by a number of parties in a coalition in order to accomplish anything. Chapter 5, Section 2One-Party SystemsOne Party Systems where only one party is allowed.Example: Dictatorships such as Stalinist Russia

One party system basically amounts to a no party system. Chapter 5, Section 2Party Membership PatternsFactors that can influence party membership:2/3 follow their parentsCatholics tend to vote Democratic. Protestants tend to vote Republican.Definitely not always the case, but historically higher income individuals have voted for Republican PartyPredicting how groups will vote is risky business as many voter profiles will vote for the opposite party.Civil War, Great DepressionSection 2 Review1. When Democrats and Republicans cooperate with one another, they are acting in a way.(a) strange(b) pluralistic(c) bipartisan(d) typical

2. The outlook of the two parties could be described as(a) too little, too late.(b) middle of the road.(c) a day late and a dollar short.(d) jumping on the bandwagon.Chapter 5, Section 2Chapter 5, Section 3S E C T I O N 3The Two-Party System in American HistoryHow did the United States political parties originate?The past is prologue. - William ShakespeareYou are what you are today because of your history.The same is true for political parties. The more you know about its past, the more youll understand it workings today.The Nations First PartiesFederalistsLed by Alexander HamiltonRepresented the rich and well born.Favored strong executive leadership and liberal interpretation of the Constitution.Wanted a strong national government.

Anti-FederalistsLed by Thomas JeffersonRepresented the common manFavored Congress as the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution (became the Democratic-Republican Party and later the Democratic Party).Wanted a very limited government.

The Nations First Parties1797, John Adams, a Federalist, defeated Thomas Jefferson, an Anti-Federalist by 3 votes.In 1800, Jefferson defeated the incumbent, or current officeholder, President Adams.Jeffersons party also won control of Congress.The Federalists never returned to power. The Democrats dominated from 1800-1860.

Jacksonian Democracy ReignsIn 1828, the farmers and small business owners who made up Jeffersons party, calling themselves the Democratic Party, nominated Andrew Jackson. He stood for the common citizen, but looked out for southern and western interests.

Those who did not support Jackson formed their own party called Whigs, after a Scottish political leader. They supported high tariffs.

The Whigs and Democrats made up the two key parties in American politics for two decades.

The Two Major Parties EmergeIn 1854 Whigs, and ex-Democrats formed the Republican Party to oppose the spread of slavery in US territories (1860 Lincoln became first Republican President).

From 1854 onward, Democrats and Republicans have dominated the two-party system.

Chapter 5, Section 3American Parties: Major ErasThree Eras of Single-Party Domination The Era of the Democrats, 18001860 Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents.The Republican Party is founded in 1854 and opposes slavery.The Era of the Republicans, 18601932 (Abraham Lincoln)Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections.The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.The Return of the Democrats, 19321968 (Great Depression)Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times.American Parties: Parties TodayThe Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided GovernmentSince 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party.19681976 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats19761980 Democrats hold the presidencyCongress is controlled by Democrats19801992 Republicans hold the presidency Senate controlled by Republicans 1980-1986, controlled by Democrats from 1986 to 19941992 2000 Democrats hold the presidency Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present2000 Republicans hold the presidencyCongress is controlled by Republicans2008 Democrats hold the presidencyHouse controlled by Republicans, Senate by DemocratsSection 3 Review1. The nations first two parties were (a) the Democrats and the Republicans.(b) the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.(c) the Democratic-Republicans and the Republican-Democrats.(d) the Federalists and the Republicans.

2. The Republican Party dominated the presidency from(a) 19321968.(b) 18601932.(c) 18001860.(d) 17831800.S E C T I O N 4The Minor PartiesWhat types of minor parties have been active in American politics?Why are minor parties important even though they seldom elect national candidates?

Minor Parties in the United StatesSplinter PartyExample: Bull Moose Progressive Party T. Roosevelts party - limit campaign financing, limit govt by business, womens suffrage etc.Economic Protest PartiesExample: The Greenback Party anti monopoly, labor rights Ideological PartiesExample: Libtertarian Party socially liberal, limited govt, free market, favor balanced budget amendment, abolish income taxTypes of Minor PartiesSingle-issue PartiesExample: Free Soil Party opposed slavery to western territories

Roosevelt riding a bull moose. Minor Parties in the United StatesIdeological Minor PartiesMinor third parties are often formed to support a specific issue. These rise and fall over time.

Ideological parties want to change society in major ways.

The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Republicans Split SplinterFormer Republican President Theodore Roosevelt left the Republican Party and was nominated by the Progressive Party.

It was nicknamed theBull Moose Party because TR said he wasfit as a Bull Moose.

TR split the 1912 Republican vote, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to defeat President William H. Taft.

The Odds Are Against ThemIt is difficult for third parties candidates to raise enough money to compete with the major parties.

Only one candidate can win in a given district. Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican.

Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures to even be placed on the ballot for national office. Why Minor Parties Are ImportantMinor parties play several important roles:Spoiler Role Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is from a splinter party (Teddy Roosevelt's Bull Moose).CriticMinor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer to ignore (gay rights, abortion, environment, taxes).InnovatorOften, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the two major parties.Cult of PersonalitySome third parties form from the efforts of famous or wealthy people.

If they cannot gain support from one of the major parties, they form their own.

Ross Perots Reform Party was a force in 1992 and 1996. This party also placed pro wrestler Jesse Ventura in the governors mansion in Minnesota.

These parties usually fade after their candidate is defeated.

Section 4 Review1. Types of minor parties in the United States include all of the following EXCEPT(a) ideological parties.(b) single-issue parties.(c) regulatory parties.(d) splinter parties.2. Ross Perot, who ran as a third-party candidate in 1992 and 1996, falls into which minor party category?(a) single-issue party(b) splinter party(c) economic protest party(d) none of the above