Political Participation LEQ: How are political views formed? UEQ: How do citizens influence government? EATs3.1

Political Ideology Political Parties Two-Party System Third Parties Party Platforms Political Participation

Celebrity quiz: Democrat or Republican?

What is the purpose of political parties? How do you know which political party to join? Beliefs/Issues?

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. -- John F. Kennedy ( ) Social Issues: Abortion Legalization of drugs Death Penalty Gun Rights Same-Sex Marriage Video Game Violence Economic Issues: Health Care Taxes Social Security National Debt Bailouts Environmental Protection

Political Ideology LEFT Center RIGHT Liberty (freedom) versus Security (control) (Theme in Politics/Government)

Ideologies Liberalism: A set of beliefs that positive government action can improve the welfare of individuals. Tolerance for diversity and social change. Freedom (left) Social Issues – Control (right) in Economy AKA = Liberals, Democrats Conservatism: A set of beliefs that include a limited role of national government in solving problems. Support traditional values and lifestyles, cautious about change. Control (right) Social Issues – Freedom (left) in Economy AKA = Conservatives, Republicans, GOP Moderate: prefer a "middle ground" regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior. Both Republicans and Democrats can by Moderates.

Political Ideology Conservative Definition: Statist Definition: Libertarian Definition: Liberal Definition: Govt. Control (Zero Freedom) Economic Issues Social I ssuesSocial I ssues Freedom Moderate (Centrist) Freedom

Take the World’s Smallest Political Quiz! mrmarisgov.wikispaces.com Where do you fall on the political map? Plot yourself on your graph!

Political Parties A political party is an organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting their members (who believe the way they do) elected to office. Political parties: express the voice of citizens inform citizens involve citizens in the democratic political process. recruit and nominate candidates raise $ support campaigns provide organization in government political parties set goals for the government advocate issues write party platform and position statements (planks). are “watchdogs” (keep other parties accountable)

“If I could not go to heaven but with a party [political], I would not go there at all” --T. Jefferson

Brief Party History Federalist party – Washington, Adams, Hamilton ( ), supported strong central gov.; opposed by Anti-Federalists. Democratic-Republican party, Thomas Jefferson (1800s-1834), opposed strong national gov. and supported states’ rights. Became Democratic party 1828 (Jackson). Whig party (1834) opposed democrats and specifically “king Andrew” (royal tyranny) Republican party born in 1854 by members opposed to slavery. Lincoln first Republican President in Republican party dominated until 1930s, FDR, Democrat. Republican and Democratic parties prevail since 1854.

Two-Party System U.S. Politics Red or Blue - Why ? A Republican or Democrat has won the Presidency since There are 2 independents out of 535 in the 113th Congress.2 independents There is only 1 Independent Governor in the United States. PA GovernmentPA Government, Third Parties? Compare the # of political parties in the U.S. with other Countries: factbook/fields/2101.html#sw

Two-Party System 1. Winner Takes All discourages “spoiler” vote on other candidates not likely to win Alternative is “proportional representation” (5% of votes = 5% of seats in legislative body) 2. Duality of political issues Two sides to major conflicts (Fed/Anti-Fed, life/choice) two-sided debates = no room for third [party] point of view 3. Tradition Republicans (GOP) and Democrats already make up majority of government members and leadership.

Third Parties Third Parties also form to support a cause or candidate Influence elections by winning votes, press issues, often don’t receive as much financial support. Few third-party candidates get elected to office Examples: Tea Party Green Party (Ralph Nader) Reform Party (Ross Perot received 19% of pres. Vote in 92) Libertarian Constitution Party “Bull Moose” (Theodore Roosevelt, 1912) Progressive Socialist (Eugene Debs) Free Soil

Party Platforms Democratic National Party Platform A party platform refers to a political party's formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major issues. Which parties have the most members???

Party Organization Both parties have local, state, and national organizations. RNC DNC State State Local Local Free Membership (register to vote)

Resources Video: Brief History of Political Parties