Political Parties Partying since 1787 *TAKE SMART NOTES: LISTEN – to what is said LOOK – at what is written THINK – about what is important WRITE – what helps you remember

Why Party?

Who are the parties? Sifting through platforms & agendas

The Role of Political Parties Choosing candidates: Choosing candidates: –Originally parties nominated their candidates to run in an election. Today, the public can choose candidates in primary elections. Running campaigns: Running campaigns: –Parties organize political campaigns and try to convince voters to elect their candidate.

Providing a political identity: Providing a political identity: –Each party has an image. This offers the public a familiar ideology or platform with which they can choose to identify themselves and identify politicians.

Endorsing specific policies: Endorsing specific policies: –Politicians of a party often support each other, because typically they agree on a general party platform. Coordinate policymaking: Coordinate policymaking: –Through party identification, politicians in different branches of government are able to work together or support each other.

Political Party Activity What are some important issues? What are some important issues? On a scrap of paper list 5 that are most important to you (1 being most important) On a scrap of paper list 5 that are most important to you (1 being most important)

Political Parties Partying since 1787 *TAKE SMART NOTES: LISTEN – to what is said LOOK – at what is written THINK – about what is important WRITE – what helps you remember

Explain some advantages of participating in a political party. Also explain some disadvantages. Having just experienced participating in a political party:

How they work…

The Party in the Electorate Many voters cast their ballots on the basis of party identification. Many voters cast their ballots on the basis of party identification. Party identification is declining. As of 2000, the plurality of voters considered themselves Independent rather than Democrat or Republican. Party identification is declining. As of 2000, the plurality of voters considered themselves Independent rather than Democrat or Republican. Ticket splitting, or voting for members of different parties for different offices in an election, is also on the rise. Ticket splitting, or voting for members of different parties for different offices in an election, is also on the rise.

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Unlike the more formal parties of other countries, American political parties are fairly decentralized, with city, state, and national administrative bodies. Unlike the more formal parties of other countries, American political parties are fairly decentralized, with city, state, and national administrative bodies. Until 1930’s local parties had tremendous power. Until 1930’s local parties had tremendous power. –party machines  patronage system

Holding elections is one important task performed by the states. Closed Primary: Only people who have already registered with the party are allowed to vote in the primary. Closed Primary: Only people who have already registered with the party are allowed to vote in the primary. Open Primary: Voters can choose on Election Day which party’s primary they would like to participate in. Open Primary: Voters can choose on Election Day which party’s primary they would like to participate in. Blanket Primary: Candidates from both parties are listed on the primary ballot, so voters can choose different parties’ candidates for different offices. Blanket Primary: Candidates from both parties are listed on the primary ballot, so voters can choose different parties’ candidates for different offices.

State parties are becoming more formally organized, but most presidential campaigning is still conducted through the candidate’s personal campaign organization. State parties are becoming more formally organized, but most presidential campaigning is still conducted through the candidate’s personal campaign organization. The national party organization, or national committee: The national party organization, or national committee: -writes the official party platform -holds the national convention -maintains the party organization during nonelection years

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Third parties occasionally arise to challenge the two major parties, but they rarely gain enough support to put a candidate in office. Third parties occasionally arise to challenge the two major parties, but they rarely gain enough support to put a candidate in office. Some parties form around a specific cause Some parties form around a specific cause Some are splinter parties Some are splinter parties Some form around a specific individual Some form around a specific individual

Though they rarely win, third party candidates do force particular issues onto the political agenda, allow Americans to express their discontent with the two major parties and effect the final outcome of elections (spoiler effect). Though they rarely win, third party candidates do force particular issues onto the political agenda, allow Americans to express their discontent with the two major parties and effect the final outcome of elections (spoiler effect).

Criticisms of the two-party system Criticisms of the two-party system –There is little choice for voters because the two parties keep to the middle of the road. –There is less opportunity for political change. –It is so decentralized that it fails to translate campaign promises into policy because politicians do not have to vote with the party line. The responsible party model is proposed by critics of the two-party system as how parties should work. The responsible party model is proposed by critics of the two-party system as how parties should work. –Party presents programs to govern –Party’s candidates should be committed to programs –Majority implements programs, minority says what they would do –Majority party accepts responsibility for perfomance

Political Eras Who are the parties? Who are the parties? What were the significant events or issues that happened involving the parties? What were the significant events or issues that happened involving the parties? Explain your cartoon. Explain your cartoon.

Political Eras