Unit 2 Elections, Politics, and the

power of persuasion

Journal/Bell Ringer #1 10-6/7-15

• How would you define politics?• What is a political party• Give me an example of politics in action?

10-6/7-15: The SWBAT understand what politics are and how it affects our government and our culture

• Journal/Bell Ringer #1 • Notes over politics.• Video clip over politics• Chapter 5 worksheet

Politics

• Process of government, or the methods by which people get, keep, and use power in a country or society.

• Art and science of government.• Political party is a group of people who seek to control

government through the winning of elections and the holding of public offices.

• This is a very broad definition

Political Party

A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of

elections and the holding of public office

What do parties do?

• Nominate candidates to run for office.• Informing and activating supporters• The bonding agent function. Ensure good performance by

its candidates.• Governing. Based on partisanship. What does this term

mean?• Acting as a watchdog. Especially when they are not the

party in power.

How many major parties do we have?

• We have two and they are the democrats and the republicans

Two-Party System

• In the United States today, only candidates from the two major parties, Democratic and Republican, have a realistic chance of winning elections for public office.

Why a Two-Party System in U.S.

• Historical Basis – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists.

• Force of Tradition – “It’s always been that way.”

• The Electoral System – Discourages minor party success due to Single-Member Districts, and election laws passed through Bipartisan cooperation.

• American Ideological Consensus – Shared ideals, basic principles and patterns of belief.

Plurality• In an election, the

number of votes that the leading candidate obtains over the next highest candidate.

• The largest number of votes cast for an office.

Pluralism (Pluralistic society)• Term used to describe

a society which consists of several distinct cultures and groups.

Minor (Third) Parties

• Develop around single issues.•Goal of influencing people’s opinions on those issues.

• Must achieve a coalition to govern.

Coalition

• A temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government.

Party Membership Patterns

• Both parties are broadly based to attract as many voters as possible. So each is composed of a cross section of U.S. population.

• Certain segments of the electorate tend to be aligned more solidly with each party, however.

Factors influencing party affiliation

• Family• Major Historical Events• Economic Status• Age• Place of Residence• Education Level• Work Environment

Bell Ringer/Journal #3 for 10-12/13-15

• Despite differences in political beliefs many Americans share the same ideals, principles, and the same patterns of belief. Do you believe this? Give me two examples.

The SWBAT to understand the history of the two party system and how it affects the politics and government in the United States

10-12/13-15

• Bell Ringer #3• Group project

Group Project Instructions• Break into three groups of 10-12.• Read platform for the party you are given. • Answer questions on the sheet that is given to you. Each person

needs to do this. You can do it as a group. Make sure you put the number of your platform on your sheet.

• After this is done we will mix the three groups so there is a mix of people from all three platforms.

• You will then come up with a consensus of what party your group likes best based on the info from the three parties you went over.

Bell Ringer #4 for 10-14/15-15

• Do you personally think the two party system is in decline? Why?

• What is bias?• What is propaganda?

The SWBAT better understand political platforms and the political process through group work,

readings and classroom discussion.10-14/15-15

• Bell Ringer• Finish platform group work. • Finish notes for unit 5• Make sure chapter 5 overview is finished. • Video clip over political parties.

Bell Ringer #5 for 10-16/19-15

• What kind of voting restrictions have we seen in the United States? Why did they change? What kind of voting restrictions do we have now?

• What is suffrage?

The SWBAT understand voting rights and the different amendments that changed them

10-16/19-15

• Bell Ringer• Political Spectrum quizzes• Notes over voting rights chapter 6• Learning outcomes game