Political Party System www.mbhs.edu/~grossmam/.../Party%20Power%20Point.ppt

Political Parties: What do they do? Promote a political agenda to influence government policy and action Select candidates for election Educate voters Finance election campaigns Fill government positions

2 “Big Tent” Parties Republicans and Democrats Different groups that support unrelated issues Associate with same party Third parties limit interests to single issue. Example, Green Party = environmentalists

Role of Political Parties Description Select candidates Parties select candidates, present them to voters and work to win elections Educate voters Parties inform people by presenting information about issues or beliefs through pamphlets, newspapers, rado, tv, speeches, conventions

Roles, continued… Govern Those who govern are chosen on the basis of party; appointments are made with an eye to the party of the potential officeholder Finance campaigns Parties raise funds to ensure that candidates have financial support to run their campaigns

Roles, continued… Watchdog The party that is not in power criticizes the policies of the party in power. This party plays the role of the “loyal opposition.”

Question: Which role of a political party do you think most influences the political process?

Political Parties: Who are they. What do they want Political Parties: Who are they? What do they want? Democrats and Republicans

History of Democrats Federalists Anti-Federalists George Washington John Adams Strong central government Wealthy property owners concerned with improving commerce and ensuring property rights. Anti-Federalists Evolved into Democrat-Republican party Thomas Jefferson Supported by working class, small farmers from the South Valued liberties Resented big business Possessed general suspicion of government

George Washington and John Adams were both Federalists who believed in a strong central government.

Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, the 3rd and 5th Presidents of the United States signed the Constitution in support of a strong federal government. Came to distrust an all powerful central government.

Andrew Jackson First Democrat elected President! 7th President of the US War hero who defeated British at Battle of New Orleans War of 1812 First presidential candidate to run as Democrat First to frequently veto laws Responsible for enfranchising all white males (right to vote) Large Indian removal projects Distribution of land to white southern farmers Jackson’s Democrats In favor of slavery Typically won elections in south

Andrew Jackson used a donkey to symbolize working class roots Andrew Jackson used a donkey to symbolize working class roots. Democrats have been known as donkey ever since.

Democrat History Continued Evolved into party representing working classes of cities in the North and white agricultural workers in the South until 1932. Famous Democrats of this time period included James Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Woodrow Wilson.

Franklin Delanor Roosevelt transformed Democrat party. Captured White House in 1932 Led U.S. out of Great Depression Expanding government services welfare, social security, jobs programs lesser extent, supported civil rights laws John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson Continued the tradition Civil Rights Act of 1964 Created Medicare and Medicaid Expanded welfare

History of the Republicans Born in 1854 Support of abolitionists Wanted strong federal government Abraham Lincoln First Republican elected President Radical Republicans Responsible for pushing Reconstruction efforts in South Late 1880s Became known as big business party

Republican Party was born amidst free and slave state tensions in 1850s. Tended to find more support in the north.

History of Republicans Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover Laissez faire economics (free market) Isolationism Favored small government Against taxes Thought economy could take care of itself

Republicans came to be associated with elephants due to the political cartoons of Thomas Nast in 1874.

The Republican Party transforms, 1968. Party of North to one of South and West Richard Nixon’s Southern Strategy Proclaimed support of states rights Promised to make US safer Today Policies that limits government size and cuts taxes

What are the differences between Republicans and Democrats today?

The Economy and Taxes Larger government Smaller government Democrats Larger government Progressive tax system (wealthy pay a larger share than the poor) Against international free trade agreements Claim such agreements hurt American workers, unions Believe in balanced budget Willing to raise taxes if needed Protect American businesses from international competition Republicans Smaller government Free market agreements with other countries, like NAFTA Against raising taxes even if it means budget deficit Believe in global trade Don’t protect US businesses from international competition

National Defense and Security Democrats Cut the military budget Avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations Believe in diplomacy Slow to go to war Republicans Strong military Willing to pay for it with government money Believe in confronting enemies with or without UN support Use military intervention when American interests or security threatened, more quickly

Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care Democrats Government should provide broad safety net health care, education, welfare, food stamps Policies to help common good Compassionate Republicans Government should limit or reduce the safety net Private businesses and non-profit charities can provide same services

Crime and Punishment Democrats Republicans Rehabilitation programs over long prison sentences Against death penalty Focus on rights of accused Republicans Prison sentences as a deterrent to crime For death penalty Stiffer penalties

Environmental Protection Democrats Favor stricter regulations to protect environment Believe global warming is a real threat Republicans Fewer restrictions hopes wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental Do not believe global warming is a real threat

Abortion and Stem Cell Research Democrats Pro-choice woman should always have the right to choose Favor stem-cell research Republicans Pro-life- do not believe that women don’t have a right to have an abortion call abortion a form of murder Against stem-cell research

Energy Policy Democrats Researching alternative energy sources for the future Republicans Securing existing energy sources for the present and future

Education Democrats Oppose using tax money for school choice Republicans Favor using tax money for school choice

Immigration Democrats Looser immigration laws “Amnesty” for illegal immigrants already in the country Republicans Stricter immigration laws Some favor punishment or deportation for illegal immigrants already in the country

Check Out How Each Party Feels About Issues That Are Important to You Check Out How Each Party Feels About Issues That Are Important to You? Which Candidate Do You Agree With? Democrats Republicans