Purpose and functions of political parties in the U.S. Objective 6.5 Purpose and functions of political parties in the U.S.

What is a political party?? A group of people that shares similar political ideas takes action to achieve their political goals

help candidates win elections Political parties… help candidates win elections

Goals of Political parties recruit and nominate candidates find people that share party beliefs Nominate people that can WIN!!!

educate the electorate about campaign issues Political parties… educate the electorate about campaign issues VOTERS

monitor the actions of other elected leaders Political parties monitor the actions of other elected leaders Point out mistakes of other party report wrong doing Make sure leaders are honest

raise money for campaigns political parties…. raise money for campaigns Campaigns are expensive and candidates need $$ to win

Two Major Political Parties in US politics DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS All Presidents for last 100 yrs Overwhelming majority of members of Congress Dominate state and local gov’t politics

political parties besides D or R Third Parties political parties besides D or R Can influence voters with their ideas Rarely win elections

Similarities and differences of political parties Obj. 6.6

both parties organize to win elections **MAIN GOAL** similarities both parties organize to win elections **MAIN GOAL**

both influence public policy by similarities both influence public policy by Educating the public about issues Helping candidates get elected

both reflect liberal and conservative political views similarities both reflect liberal and conservative political views Liberal- modern ideas Conservative- traditional ideas

Both appeal to the political center (moderates) similarities Both appeal to the political center (moderates)

similarities (moderates) Many citizens are in the “middle” and support ideas of both parties The party that wins support from moderates usually wins elections

differences The major differences between political parties can be found in the Party Platform

Party Platform A party’s statement of the issues of importance The party’s solutions for dealing with issues

Party Platform The two major parties have different platforms for dealing with major Social and Economic issues

Believe in large role of federal government left DEMOCRATS Believe in large role of federal government

Differences DEMOCRATS left Differences DEMOCRATS the federal gov’t should create programs to solve social problems

Differences DEMOCRATS increase taxes (maybe) to pay for the social programs

Differences DEMOCRATS domestic programs (programs in the US) are more important than giving foreign aid

Differences REPUBLICANS believe the role of the federal government should be limited

Differences REPUBLICANS right Differences REPUBLICANS think that state governments should create and fund programs to solve problems

Differences REPUBLICANS right Differences REPUBLICANS decrease taxes (maybe) and provide for less social programs

Differences REPUBLICANS foreign policy is very important (gives money, food, military aid)

Advantages and disadvantages of the two-party system Objective 6.7 Advantages and disadvantages of the two-party system

The two-party system Since US politics is dominated by the Democrats and Republicans, it is said that the US is run on a 2 party system

Advantage: political stability Both parties have large groups of supporters and popular leaders This makes government stable and strong

Advantage: Electoral College Winner 51% electoral college winner needed to become President Easier to achieve with only 2 parties competing

Advantage: continuity in government- One of the parties will always have majority popular support If one party fails, the second party leaders can take over and the government remains strong

Disadvantage: less opportunity to represent minority opinions less popular issues may be ignored

What if you don’t like either the Democratic or Republican candidate?? Disadvantages Less candidates for voters to choose from What if you don’t like either the Democratic or Republican candidate??

Reasons for the formation of third parties Objective 6.8 Reasons for the formation of third parties

Third Parties

Why do you think 3rd parties exist in American politics?

major parties fail to discuss popular issues Why do 3rd parties exist?? major parties fail to discuss popular issues Ex- the environment 3rd parties can bring attention to forgotten issues

Third parties introduce new ideas Why do 3rd parties exist?? Third parties introduce new ideas

Why do 3rd parties exist?? To give voters more choices -Allows citizens to vote for a person outside of the two major parties

strong political personality of a candidate Why do 3rd parties exist?? strong political personality of a candidate Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose) Ralph Nader (Green) Ross Perot (Independent)

Meet Ross Perot Independent candidate in the 1992 election Conservative ideology Texas Millionaire, spent Millions of his own money to run as a 3rd party candidate Click the picture to meet Ross Perot

Meet Ross Perot Before Primaries, Perot led Republican and Democratic candidates Republicans and Democrats said voter would waste their vote if they voted for Perot First modern 3rd party candidate invited to debates

Meet Ross Perot Won 19% of popular vote during popular election (19 Million votes) Did not win popular vote of any state, therefore no electoral votes Defeated by Democratic candidate, Bill Clinton who won 43% of popular vote

In the 2008 election… There were 11 third party candidates on the ballot

None earned more than 1% of the popular vote In the 2008 election… None earned more than 1% of the popular vote

Why do you think most people never hear about 3rd party candidates?