The Party System Chapter 8 2/11 and 2/12

Start 2/11 If you do not know or understand something go ahead and research it. (aka Google)

Vocabulary 1. Political Parties 2. Major Parties 3. Minor parties or third parties 4. Nominate 5. Partisanship

Political Parties

What is a Political Party?  An organization of people  Share the same ideas of government  Members committed to party goals  Get candidates elected to office  Get laws passed to aid party goals

Party Systems  Most countries have political parties  Party systems One party Two party Multi-party

U.S. Party System Two party system Two major parties vie for office Other minor parties exist Major parties Democratic party Republican Party

Similarities of Major Parties in U.S. All value personal rights, freedoms Educational opportunities for all Economic opportunities for all Government duty- to protect nation Preserve environment Help citizens

Differences  Disagree on ways to meet goals  Example: Democrats- government directly helps the poor Republicans- government helps economy and poor get jobs

Benefits of Two Party System Stabilizing Keeps people near the center Extreme ideas not supported by populace Continuity Government changes parties often Transition is usually smooth

Disadvantages  Minority groups left out  Ex. Civil rights  Women's movement  Needed major party support

Multi-Party System  Three or more parties- Japan, Israel  Advantage- More voter choice  Disadvantage- Voters divided  No party gets majority votes  Must form coalition government  Coalition may not work- 50 governments in Italy since W.W.II

One Party System Party and government are almost the same- China One party’s members run for office Head of government usually head of party Party members recruit new party members Party members given top government jobs

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Political Parties Timeline FederalistsJeffersonian-Republicans Democratic 1840 Whigs 1860Republican National Republican Anti-Masonic Know-Nothings Liberty Free Soil Northern Democratic Southern Democratic Northern Whigs Southern Whigs

Political Parties Timeline Republican Democrat Greenback Populist Bull Moose Socialist Prohibition

Party Platforms The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) are responsible for producing party platforms, statements of party principles and issue positions. These platforms help guide voters and candidates in knowing where the party stands on important issues. -- there are many philosophical differences between the parties on many issues: tax policy, labor laws, abortion, gay and lesbian rights, and affirmative action -- the two party platforms do not show much difference on some issues: gun control, and support for Israel

What’s it Mean to be a Democrat? A Republican? Political parties in the United States are too decentralized for either party to take a national position and then enforce it at the state and local level. We do not have a “responsible party system”. There is no mechanism for a party to discipline officeholders and ensure cohesion in policymaking. In a primary election, do party leaders have control as to who will run? So are all Republicans/Democrats committed to its program?

Party Coalitions Today 2013

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