U.S. Political Parties CP Political Systems

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings What is a political party? Organization of people who share similar ideas about the way the country should be governed

Political Party Systems 3 Political Party Systems in the World 1.) One Party System: Political party and the government are the SAME Only 1 party, so no competing ideas Party membership based on lineage, wealth, military power, religious power Example: China (Communist Party)

Political Party Systems 2.) Multi-Party System: Three or more parties compete for control of the government Common in Europe, Israel, Japan Advantage: provides voters with many different choices and ideas Disadvantage: difficult for one party to get majority of votes, which leads to a Coalition: EXAMPLE – Italy (50 different govts. since WWII) Daisy Alliance Sunflower Alliance Italian Communist 500,000 votes 450,000 votes 200,000 votes Coalition

Political Party Systems 3. Two-Party System: Two parties compete with each other to run the government. Party system of U.S.: Democrats and Republicans Advantages: Continuity Disadvantages: Minority parties (third parties) receive little attention – focus is on two main parties

U.S. Political Parties: Characteristics Democratic Party Tends to Attract Working people (blue collar) Liberals Catholics Minorities Union Members People in favor of govt. involvement in social policies

U.S. Political Parties: Characteristics Republican Party Tends to attract Businesspeople (white collar) Protestants Conservatives Non-minorities Non-union supporters People against govt.involvement in social policies

Democrats: The Issues Abortion: Pro Choice Favors contraceptive education to prevent necessity of abortion

Democrats: The Issues Environment: Support stronger environmental laws and protection of nature Push for cleaner air and water Support funding for preservation (Everglades in FL; Redwoods in CA, etc…)

Democrats: The Issues Gay Rights: Should be protected from workplace discrimination and hate crimes Should be given equal work benefits like more traditional families Largely oppose President Bush’s proposal to ban gay marriage through a Constitutional Amendment

Democrats: The Issues Gun Control: Strong advocates for gun control Supported both the Brady Bill and the Assault Weapons Ban

Democrats: The Issues Health Care: Push for more Heath Care funding (Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program) In favor of program to ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care. (100% government funded)

Democrats: The Issues Foreign Policy: Generally much more supportive of international agencies than are Republicans – support NATO and the UN

Democrats: The Issues Education: More funding for struggling schools is necessary Highly critical of No Child Left Behind, which has been under funded Tax money should not be used on religious schools

Democrats: The Issues Social Security: Fundamental right of Americans Best way to protect is to maintain federal government control Largely oppose privatizing

Democrats: The Issues Welfare: Support increased child care for welfare recipients so they are more able to work steady jobs Support funding for job training so recipients will be more competitive in the job market

Democrats: The Issues Women’s Rights: For over 20 years, have been pushing to ratify the Treaty of the Rights of Women that arose from the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (would be a statement on America’s part saying that we support equal rights for all women)

Democrats: The Issues Worker’s Rights: Favor labor unions and workers rights Includes right to organize free from harassment and the right to challenge employers for disability and discrimination cases. Support worker movements to increase the minimum wage and worker benefits

Republicans: The Issues Abortion: Pro-life; Anti-Choice Prefers funding go towards marriage education and abstinence only campaigns Have tried several times to pass statutes that would allow prosecution of acts that harm fetuses

Republicans: The Issues Environment: Favor the exploration of all resources in the U.S. for energy production and have generally opposed looking for more environment-friendly power alternatives Pushed for oil drilling in ANWR, the building of more nuclear power plants, a shift towards the use of coal, and have submitted proposals that would weaken the Clean Air Act

Republicans: The Issues Gay Rights: Against giving gays equal rights in the eyes of the law “We do not believe sexual preference should be given special legal protection or standing in law” Oppose idea of gay marriage; seek to define marriage as union between man and woman Supports amendment to the Constitution defining marriage

Republicans: The Issues Gun Control: Favors allowing the sale of firearms to proceed more easily, and with fewer safety precautions Opposes any new gun-control laws Fought the regulation and banning of assault weapons

Republicans: The Issues Health Care: Believes health care should work within the free market system where competition will lower the costs of healthcare (no federal govt. involvement)

Republicans: The Issues Foreign Policy: Have brushed aside international organizations in favor of unilateral policy of preemption Bush Doctrine supports preemptive invasion when necessary to protect the security of the U.S. Argue that the use of American military force is essential for keeping the world safe for Democracy

Republicans: The Issues Education: Support both the “No Child Left Behind” program and the school vouchers Favor school vouchers because they think that by giving students more educational options, including religious schooling, a competitive market will be created Favor School Choice (Charter Schools) Privatization of Education.

Republicans: The Issues Social Security: Favor privatization of social security Citizens will be able to opt to place portions of money that would have gone into Social Security into other types of accounts. Accounts will give the opportunity to play the stock market in an attempt to increase returns. (takes away Federal responsibility)

Republicans: The Issues Welfare: Favors increasing the mandatory work week for those receiving government assistance Support cuts in child care and training funding Pushing for more funding for religious organizations and charities, which then will be responsible to caring for our nation’s poor

Republicans: The Issues Workers’ Rights: Favor the rights of businesses to maximize profits Favors workers and management working together to do what is in the best of all involved; no outside influences (against Labor Unions) Believes Labor Unions restrict production of businesses; sees it as a regulation of business

What Do Political Party Members Do?? Major function of each party is to get its candidate elected to office Steps include Party members nominate, or name the candidates they want to run for office 2004 Republican National Convention

What Do Political Party Members Do?? 2. Party starts an election campaign An effort to gather support for its candidates and inform voters of the party’s stand on issues Requires many party workers and volunteers to perform dozens of job that include: Raising funds Polling voters/making phone calls Drive voters to the polls Register voters John Kerry Campaigning

What Do Political Party Members Do? Presidential Election Campaigns

What Do Political Party Members Do? 3. Once a party’s candidate is elected, the party helps the candidate organize and manage the govt. Example: When a President is elected, 100’s of job vacancies in govt. must be filled. Jobs usually filled by party members who have contributed time, energy and money to the campaign. Patronage: giving jobs or special favors to party workers

Political Party Organization Political Parties are organized at every level: Local Party Committee : Goal is to get candidates from party elected to local political office, like mayor, city councilman, school superintendent, etc…

Political Party Organization Political parties are organized at every level: State Party Committee: Goal is to get candidates from party elected to state political office, like governor, attorney general, state legislator, etc… Tom Wolf Governor of PA State Senator Anthony Williams 8th Dist.

Political Party Organization Political parties are organized at every level: National Party Committee: Goal is to get candidates from party elected to national political office, like President, Senator, House Representative Delaware Representative John Carney President of the U.S.: Barack Obama Pat Toomey Senator PA

Third Parties What are Third Parties? Parties representing minority opinions that challenge the Democrats and Republicans Some successful Third Parties: Populist Party – 1890’s Progressive Party – split off from Rep. Part in 1912 Libertarian Party – third most popular party in U.S. today

Third Parties 3 Kinds of Third Parties 1. Parties Tied to a Single Issue: Examples: Prohibition Party: formed in 1872 to support banning of alcohol in the U.S. U.S. Marijuana Party: formed to support the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. Green Party: formed to protect the environment

Third Parties 3 Kinds of Third Parties 2. Parties Tied to a Political Belief Examples: Libertarian Party The Third Party Socialist Parties

Third Parties 3 Kinds of Third Parties 3. Parties Tied to a Single Candidate Examples: Reform Party – formed around Presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1996 American Independent Party – formed around Presidential candidate George Wallace in 1968

Third Parties America First Party American Heritage Party American Independent Party American Nazi Party Communist Party USA Constitution Party Family Values Party Grassroots Party Green Party Independence Party Labor Party Libertarian Party Light Party Natural Law Party The Third Party Worker’s World Party Peace and Freedom Party Prohibition Party Reform party The Revolution Socialist Party, USA Southern Independence Party U.S. Pacifist Party Veterans Party of America We the People Party Knights Party Libertarian National Socialist Green Party Pansexual Peace Party Constitutional Action Party American Falangist Party U.S. Marijuana Party