Unit 2 Political Parties Government Fall 2012 Mrs. Burns/Mr. Bellisario

Terms Partisanship – Allegiance to a certain political party.

Terms Minor Party – One of the less widely supported parties in the United States.

Terms Two Party System – Political system in which only two parties have reasonable chance of winning office.

Terms Consensus – A general agreement on fundamental matters among various groups.

Terms Incumbent – The person who currently holds the office.

Terms One-Party System – Occurs under a dictatorship or autocracy, a system in which only one party is allowed.

Terms Independent – Voters who choose to not belong to a specific party.

Political Cartoon

Swing Voter

Functions of Political Parties PurposeDescriptionExplanation Selecting Candidates The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups. Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs Parties share this function with media and interest groups. Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election. Helps legislative and executive branches work together Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party. Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties PurposeDescriptionExplanation NominatingSelecting Candidates The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups. Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs Parties share this function with media and interest groups. Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election. Helps legislative and executive branches work together Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party. Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties PurposeDescriptionExplanation NominatingSelecting Candidates The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups. Informing and activating supporters Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs Parties share this function with media and interest groups. Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election. Helps legislative and executive branches work together Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party. Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties PurposeDescriptionExplanation NominatingSelecting Candidates The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups. Informing and activating supporters Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs Parties share this function with media and interest groups. Bonding agents Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election. Helps legislative and executive branches work together Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party. Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties PurposeDescriptionExplanation NominatingSelecting Candidates The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups. Informing and activating supporters Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs Parties share this function with media and interest groups. Bonding agents Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election. Governing Helps legislative and executive branches work together Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party. Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties PurposeDescriptionExplanation NominatingSelecting Candidates The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups. Informing and activating supporters Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs Parties share this function with media and interest groups. Bonding agents Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election. Governing Helps legislative and executive branches work together Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party. Watch-dogParty that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Minor Parties Types of PartiesDefinitionExamples

Minor Parties Types of PartiesDefinitionExamples Ideological Parties Those based on a particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Communist Party Socialist Party Libertarian Party

Minor Parties Types of PartiesDefinitionExamples Ideological Parties Those based on a particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Communist Party Socialist Party Libertarian Party Single-Issue Parties Parties that focuses on a single public policy issue. Right-to-Life Party

Minor Parties Types of PartiesDefinitionExamples Ideological Parties Those based on a particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Communist Party Socialist Party Libertarian Party Single-Issue Parties Parties that focuses on a single public policy issue. Right-to-Life Party Splinter PartiesParties that split away from one of the major parties. Tea Party, a group that has split away from the Republican Party.

The Big Two Historically, political parties in the United States began with the Federalist and Antifederalist. Today, the two major political parties are the republicans and democrats

National Party Machinery Mechanism Term (or when it takes place) Role

National Party Machinery Mechanism Term (or when it takes place) Role National Convention Every 4 years during a presidential election At the convention, delegates officially nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Also adopt party rules and platform.

National Party Machinery Mechanism Term (or when it takes place) Role National Convention Every 4 years during a presidential election At the convention, delegates officially nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Also adopt party rules and platform. National Committee Between the convention Meet to prepare for the next national convention.

National Party Machinery Mechanism Term (or when it takes place) Role National Convention Every 4 years during a presidential election At the convention, delegates officially nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Also adopt party rules and platform. National Committee Between the convention Meet to prepare for the next national convention. National Chairperson A position held for 4 years Lead the national committee, directs party headquarters and works to strengthen the party.

2012 Republican National Convention Location: Tampa, FL Officially nominated Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan for President and Vice-President.

Chair Person of the Republicans National Committee Reinhold Reince Priebus

Republican Party Platform Official Party Platform Summary: – Ban all abortions and gay marriages – Reshape Medicare – Cut taxes to energize the economy and create jobs.

2012 Democratic National Convention Location: Charlotte, NC Officially nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden for President and Vice-President.

Chair Person of the Democratic National Committee "Debbie" Wasserman Schultz

Democratic Party Platform Official Party Platform Summary: – Taxes on wealthier Americans – Supporting same-sex marriage and abortion rights. – Supporting the Federal Health Care Law.

Examining Data Using this link to the Washington Post, we can examine and break down the make-up of the Republicans and Democrats.link

Democratic and Republican Party Make-Up CharacteristicDemocratRepublican Income / Occupation Working ClassMiddle Class EducationLess EducatedMore educated Gender / Age Women and younger people Men and older people Religion Catholics and people who don’t practice religion Protestants Ethnicity Puerto Ricans, Mexican- Americans, and African Americans White and Cuban Latinos GeographyUrban areas (bigger cities)Rural and suburban areas