CHAPTER 5 POLITICAL PARTIES

 With a partner, take a moment to construct a definition of a political party and list several functions of political parties YOUR DEFINITION

1.Nominate candidates 2.Informing and activating supporters 3.Bonding agent 4.Govern 5.Watch Dog WHAT DO PARTIES DO?

 Major function  Select and present  Best organization to do this basic function  Not a function of government itself  Left up to the parties 1. NOMINATE:

OBAMA VS. ROMNEY  romney-where-they-stand.html romney-where-they-stand.html

 The party was any means to reach the voters  People volunteer to help with the party 2. INFORMING AND ACTIVATING SUPPORTERS

 By this person being chosen by the party to run the voter has some assurance this person is good for the party and for America  This party does the work to make sure these nominees are up to the task  One of the issues Romney had this year with the nomination process 3. BONDING AGENT

 Partisanship  Bipartisanship  Should the parties matter this much??? 4. GOVERN

 The party not in power is like the minority (basic concept of democracy)  If you don’t like the party in power:  Demand change  Work for change 5. WATCHDOG

POLITICAL ADDS 3CADEDB895EAC5

 Virginia- Republicans, Governor Bob McDonnel  House of Representatives- Republicans, Speaker Jon Boehner  Senate- Democrats, Majority Leader- Harry Reid WHO IS IN CHARGE NOW?

 Ideological party- Parties built on a set of specific principles, beliefs, or philosophy  Examples: Socialist Labor Party, Libertarian Party  Splinter Party- Parties that have split from the major parties  Examples: Roosevelt’s bull Moose Party, La Follette’s Progressive Party, Nader’s Green Party  Single Issue Party- Party around one issue  Example- Free Soil Party, Right to Life Party  Economic Protest Party- Parties that develop during difficult economic times TYPES OF POLITICAL PARTIES

WHY DO WE HAVE A TWO PARTY SYSTEM?

 Federalists vs. Antifederalists  It started off 1 on 1  The constitution doesn’t say anything about how the parties work and how they nominate  It has been this way from the beginning and why fix what isn’t “broken” HISTORY AND TRADITION

 Single member districts  Most common system in the US  Each district votes on one person to represent them in a legislative body  Who gets the most votes in the district wins  Because of this system many people feel their vote could be wasted  It can seem like the win is guaranteed  Pluralistic Society  Made up of many cultures, beliefs and groups  This is considered a good thing in America  Freedoms ELECTORAL AND PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

 This is akin to American Political Culture  Americans basically agree because we have never had any long disputes about the culture itself  This means that both parties are very moderate IDEOLOGICAL CONSENSUS

 Multiparty system  Many are able to compete and win  Europe  One party system  “NO” party system  dictatorship OTHER SYSTEMS

 HOW????  Arizona: candidates must submit a nomination paper, complete with a notarized. Original signature from the candidate  Illinois: candidates must submit no fewer than 3,00 and no more than 5,000 signatures. The candidate must submit 600 signatures per district for each of the state’s 19 congressional districts  Louisiana: two ways the candidate can either turn in a total of 1,000 signatures from members of their party. OR submit a filing fee of 1,125 dollars  New Hampshire: candidates must declare candidacy and submit 1,000 filing fee.  South Carolina: candidates must submit 25,000 filing fee by May 5 th or pay 35,000 dollars after that. GETTING ON THE BALLOT

 Virginia requires 10,000 signatures from registered voters.  Must include at lease 400 signatures from each of the state’s congressional districts  There are 11 districts in Virginia  Do you think this is too difficult? One of the most difficult to get on the ballot RULES FOR VIRGINIA

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