Topic 1Political Parties

Part 1: Political Spectrum / Ideologies

Part 2: Political Parties & the 2-Party

System

Part 3: Minor Parties

Part 4: Party Organization /

Grassroots Movements

1. What is an ideology?2. What is the political spectrum?3. Where does each party lie on the

spectrum?4. What are some examples of the

different ideological viewpoints towards issues?

5. Which side do you lean towards? Why?

A set of specific ideas, attitudes and beliefs

Provides or advocates a coherent plan for social, political, or economic action

Left Wing Right Wing

Liberalism ConservatismCentrism

Democratic Party Republican Party

Def. - term used to refer to the differences in ideology between major political parties

Liberals believe the government should: achieve equal opportunity and

equality for all. alleviate social ills and protect civil

rights and liberties.   guarantee that no one is in need. 

Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve people's problems.

The following classifications are general and do not apply to all liberals or conservatives.

Conservatives believe in:◦ limited government◦ free markets (gov’t role in

economy is limited)◦ individual liberty◦ traditional American values◦ a strong national defense

Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems on their own.

Liberalism ConservatismCentrism

• More apt to change society

• More freedom regarding many social issues (pro-choice, gay rights)

• Fund social programs with taxes (welfare, social security)

• More diplomatic approach to foreign policy

• More traditional, less apt to change

• Government should step in and shape many social issues (pro-life, anti-gay marriage)

• Less tax money spent on social programs

• More forceful approach to foreign policy

What is a political party? What are the functions of political

parties? Why do we 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?

•A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office.

•Parties can be • principle-oriented• issue-oriented • election-oriented

The American parties are

primarily election-oriented

Nominate Candidates - Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office.

Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates.

Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.

Govern—Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party.

Act as a Watchdog—Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election.

The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.

The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties.

Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States.

Advantages Provides broader

representation of the people.

More responsive to the will of the people.

Give voters more choices at the polls.

Disadvantages Cause parties to

form coalitions, which can dissolve easily.

Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government.

Types of One-Party Systems

Example:

Republican North and Democratic South until the

1950s.

Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins

most elections

One Party Systems where only one party is

allowed.

Example:

Dictatorships such as Stalinist Russia

•Family

•Occupation

•Economic Status

•Religion

•Major Events

•Age

Factors that can influence party membership:

What types of minor parties have been active in politics?

Why are minor parties important even though they seldom win?

What are some drawbacks of minor parties?

Splinter Party

Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive

Party

Economic Protest Parties

Example: The Greenback Party

Ideological Parties

Example: Libtertarian

Party

Types of Minor Parties

Single-issue Parties

Example: Free Soil Party

Minor Parties in the United StatesMinor Parties in the United States

“Spoiler Role” They can pull decisive votes away from one of

the major parties’ candidates.

Critic Minor parties, especially single-issue parties,

take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that major parties ignore.

Innovator Minor parties often provide innovative

solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are integrated into major party platforms.

Why do the major parties have a decentralized structure?

How does the national, state and local party machinery operate?

What are the three components of the parties?

What are grassroots campaigns and how are they conducted?

Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented.

Why?• Party out of power lacks a strong leader.

• Federal system distributes powers widely, causing party

decentralization.

• Nominating process pits party members against one another.

State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually follow these general principles.

The Party in the Electorate

Those who always or almost always vote

for party candidates.

The Party Organization:

Those who run and control the party

machinery.

Party Components

The Party in Government

Those who hold office in the government.

•Political movement organized and implemented mostly at local level

•Depends heavily on local involvement and volunteers

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