Political Parties

Political Spectrum

Political Spectrum

Political Spectrum

Political Spectrum

Political Parties Political Party- organization of individuals with broad, common interest who organize to win elections, operate in government, and influence government policy Two-party system- US party system with 2 main parties: Democrats and Republicans

Political Party Systems 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: Beginnings George Washington against political parties “parties serve their own interests” “parties not beneficial to American people” Parties formed after his exit: Democratic-Republicans 2. Federalists

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Democratic-Republicans Supported states rights Supported economy based on agriculture Power in hands of all people Led by Thomas Jefferson

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Federalists Supported strong national govt. Supported economy based on industry Power in hands of wealthy and educated Led by Alexander Hamilton

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Federalists Breakup Federalists gradually disappear – no political momentum John Adams only party member to be elected President Supporters formed new party: Whig Party (1834-1856)

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Mid 1820’s: Democratic-Republicans breaking up Democratic Party formed to continue representing small farmers and working people

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings 1850’s: Democratic Party and Whig Party split over slavery Pro-slavery voters form Democratic Party Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats formed Republican Party

U.S Political Parties: Beginnings Republican Party 1860: Abe Lincoln becomes 1st Republican President Emerges as stronger of 2 parties after Civil War 1865-1931:Only 2 Democratic Presidents elected Grover Cleveland Woodrow Wilson

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

Third Parties Third Parties- smaller minor parties Influenced politics by promoting ideas that were at first unpopular They have never won Presidency, but Democrats and Republicans adopted their ideas

Third Parties cont. Single Issue Parties- form to promote a social, economic, or moral issue (usually don’t last long) Prohibitionists Party formed in 1872 to ban alcohol

Third Parties cont Ideological Parties- form to support a particular philosophy or idea Socialists Labor Party and Communist Party USA believe that free enterprise should be replaced by one in which the government owns business Libertarian Party want to cut the size of the federal government and increase personal freedoms

Third Parties cont. Independent Candidates- form around leaders with strong personalities (usually don’t last long) H. Ross Perot ran for President in 1992 and 1996

Third Parties cont Obstacles Third party candidates must obtain a large number of voter signatures to be placed on the ballot Trouble raising enough money

Other Party Systems Multiparty System- one party rarely wins enough support to completely control government Many countries have this: Germany has over 5 political parties, Israel has over 20 One-Party System- the party and government are the same People’s Republic of China has 1 party: The Communist Party

Political Party Platform- series of statements expressing the parties principles, beliefs, and positions on issues Ex. Abortion, Death Penalty Plank- each individual part of the platform Ex. Dem support Abortion, Rep support Death Penalty This communicates to voters what the party will do if elected

Political Parties

Democrats and Republicans Basic difference between the Democrats and Republicans is their belief in how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans Democrats- federal government should be more directly involved in citizen’s lives Republicans- federal government should be less directly involved in citizen’s lives Both parties try to adopt moderate positions and avoid extreme radical positions in order to attract more voters