Chapter 18 Political Parties

Chapter 18 Section 1 Functions of a political party Many of the founding fathers believed that political parties might divide the nation Washington warned the nation against political parties in his farewell address “ jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity [hatred] of one part against another, foments [causes] occasionally riot and insurrection”

Chapter 18 Section 1 Functions of a political party 1. assists in the electoral process As the electorate ( voting public) grew the country needed a system of organization to assist in the process.  Encourage people to vote and help them register  Provide people with information about candidates  Give people a basic idea about a candidates political stance ( if you hear democrat or republican you know what a candidate generally believes in)  Each party keeps an eye on the other to make sure they don’t do anything wrong

Chapter 18 Section 1 Functions of a political party 2. Organizing the government Organize the work of Congress and the executive branch of government  Congressional leaders and committee members are selected based on their political party and who is in power  In the executive branch the president usually appoints people within their political party

Chapter 18 Section 1 Functions of a political party 3.Nominate Candidates who support the view of the party Offers the candidate the support of the party Reduces the number of candidates to a manageable size

Chapter 18 Section 1 Types of party systems There are 3 types of party systems One party system Two party system Multiparty system

Chapter 18 Section 1 Types of Party Systems One Party System A single party controls the government and clearly dominates political activity Most one party systems are dictatorships Examples: Iraq under Sadam Hussein Communist China

Chapter 18 Section 1 Types of Party Systems Two party systems Two parties dominate the government Other parties may exist, but they have little influence The U.S. is a two party system  Voters in 2 party systems tend to elect moderate candidates

Chapter 18 Section 1 Types of Party Systems Multiparty systems Several parties try to gain control of the government  Each party tends to represent a specific ideology, concern, or region Sometimes this system makes it hard to get legislation passed because there are so many parties with different interests Each parties representation in the legislature depends on the number of votes that party got in the election  15% of the vote = 15 % of the seats

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System The US party system has had distinct periods, each being characterized by a struggle between 2 different parties Federalists and Democratic Republicans Democrats and Whigs Republicans and Democrats

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System Federalists and Democratic- Republicans ( 1789 – 1824) George Washington and Alexander Hamilton – Federalist Represented trade and manufacturing Urbanize the US Thomas Jefferson and James Madison- Democratic-Republicans Represented farmers Keep the US rural

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System Democrats and Whigs ( ) Democratic-Republicans split into 2 groups in 1824 Democratic Party – Andrew Jackson  Supported small business owners, farmers, pioneers, and slaveholders  Federal government should stay out of people’s lives as much as possible Whigs – Fillmore, Taylor  Active federal government  No real stance on slavery

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System Republicans and Democrats ( ????) Republicans Lincoln first Republican president First official anti-slavery party  Got them support from many in the North, lost the support of many in the South Only 2 democrats elected president from Republicans generally want little government intervention in the economy and business Republicans generally want a smaller federal government with less control over people’s daily lives  This is changing with the modern conservative  Abortion, marriage, drug laws…

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System Republicans and Democrats ( ????) Democrats First gained support from workers in growing cities, farmers, and Southerners bitter from Civil War During the Great Depression Dems began to push for a bigger federal government with departments created to help Americans who were in economic trouble Dems still urge more governmental support for those who are disadvantage  Modern Dems tend to call for less governmental involvement in people’s personal decisions  Abortion, marriage, drug laws

Environmental Protection Democrats Favor stricter regulations on businesses to protect the environment Believe global warming is a real threat Republicans Favor fewer restrictions on businesses in the hopes that wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental Many do not believe global warming is a real threat

Abortion Democrats Tend to be pro- choice Against laws that strictly regulate abortion Republicans Tend to be pro-life Against the use of government money to fund abortions Favor laws that strictly regulate abortion

Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care Democrats Generally think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others. They generally think these policies help the common good and are compassionate Republicans Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor. They believe that private businesses and non-profit charities can provide the same services

Crime and Punishment Democrats Tend to focus on rehabilitation programs over long prison sentences for convicted criminals Usually against the death penalty Focus on rights of the accused Republicans Tend to focus on prison sentences as a deterrent to crime Usually for the death penalty Usually for stiffer penalties for convicted criminals

Economy Democrats Are generally in favor of a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor Tend to be against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions Tend to want the government to be involved in government regulation of business Republicans Generally in favor of a “flat tax” system, all pay the same rate Encourage free trade agreements with other nations Generally against raising taxes for all income levels

Education Democrats Oppose using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters) Republicans Favor using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

Immigration Democrats Favor looser immigration laws Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country Republicans Favor stricter immigration laws Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System Third Parties and Independents in the US An independent is a person not associated with a political party A third party is any party other than Democrat or Republican running for office in the US Many people who do not agree with the ideology of either of the main parties will vote for an independent or third party candidate

Chapter 18 Section 2 : U.S. Two Party System Splinter and ideological parties – the 2 types of 3 rd parties Splinter – break off from the main party when they feel that their views are not being taken into consideration 1912 Bull Moose Progressive Party broke off from the Republicans Ideological – basic political views differ from those of the majority of the population Socialists, Libertarians

Chapter 18 Section 3 : Party Organization Early in American history political parties were organized on the local level “Party Machines” developed: an organized group of individuals who dominate a political party within a geographical area, usually a big city Voters were influenced by the local branch of their political party, not the national organization Local officials picked candidates, not voters No primaries

Chapter 18 Section 3 : Party Organization During the Progressive Era ( ) the National and State branches of political party organizations gained more influence 16 th Amendment : voters elect candidates in primary elections, people vote directly on Senators National and state party organizations fund commercials, fund campaigns, issue press releases, and work on fundraising They also work to focus a candidates platform to reflect the ideals of the party

Chapter 18 Section 4: Political Parties and the Public Good Criticisms of political parties Many people worry that political parties are too influenced by interest groups Many people are concerned that politicians are more concerned about gaining power than about serving the public and working on the issues Many people consider politicking – the fighting between democrats and republicans a big problem More concerned about looking good than getting things done

Chapter 18 Section 4: Political Parties and the Public Good Benefits of political parties Provide information About candidates and issues Accommodate various opinions Try to appeal to a broad group of people Discourage sudden shifts in the way things are done Encourage political participation They try to get people to vote, many vote just to help their party