Chapter 5

Section 1 Political Party – group of people who seek to control government and public policy based on common principles – Modify and encourage compromise – Bring conflicting groups together – Unify rather than divide the American People – Foreign political parties have principles they want adopted by government Major Parties – Republican and Democratic, two dominant political parties in the US Multi-Party System – based on particular interest: economic class, religious beliefs, social attachment, or political ideology

Functions of Political Parties Assure the qualifications of candidates Monitor the Conduct of its candidates Keep general public informed about key issues What party do Americans identify with today? How and why do people belong to political parties?

Section 2 Two-Party System – Republican and Democratic parties, only real chances of winning election One-Party System – nearly all dictatorships today, only party allowed, “no-party” system

State and Local Parties State parties are loosely associated to the national committee Pluralistic Society – consisting of several distinct culture and groups Coalition – temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government (mulitparty system – special interests)

Section 3 Era of Democrats Era of Republicans Democrats Era of Divided Government – Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party

Section 4 Minor Party – political party w/o wide spread support – Ideological Parties: based on popular set of beliefs/some sort of Marxist beliefs (social, economic, and political matters – Single Issue Parties: focus on only one public-party matter – Economic Protect Parties: Demand better economical times – Splinter Parties: Splint away from major parties, 1912 Theodore Roosevelt Progressive Party, Chart pg135 – How have minor parties contributed most to US politics? Major parties adopt and borrow ideas of minor parties Would a major support a minor candidate? Yes, if it can draw votes from opponents

Section 5 Party Organization Parties are decentralized by nature – No Chain of command from national to state – State is loosely tied to the national structure President is automatically the party leader – Which does not create decentralization Wards – unit that cities are divided for the election of city council members Precinct – smallest unit of election administration Chart on page 140

Future of Major Parties Number of voters not identifying themselves with any party (Rep, Dem, Ind) Split-ticket voting: Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election. (Weakens political parties) Structural changes lead to disorganization Changes in technology - Media: Try to inspire, inform, and activate people regarding public affairs Growth of single-issue organizations (gun control, abortion, etc…)