“I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally “…It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.”

WHAT FUNCTIONS DO POLITICAL PARTIES PERFORM?

WHICH OF THESE FUNCTIONS DO OUR PARTIES PERFORM WELL?

WHAT FUNCTIONS DO POLITICAL PARTIES PERFORM? 1. Nominating Function 2. Informer – Stimulator Function 3. “Seal of Approval” Function 4. Government Function 5. “Watchdog” Function

KAY LAWSON “Why we (still) need REAL political parties” Professor of political science, SFSU (1993) “American parties today do not look for candidates to support their programs…They accept whoever has been able to rally strength to extract the nomination. A party’s nomination is no longer its own bestow.”

KAY LAWSON “Why we (still) need REAL political parties” Professor of political science, SFSU (1993) “Would be candidates spend their time working with wealthy and powerful non party persons than by bothering with intra party activism.”

ACCORDING TO LAWSON, TODAY’S PARTIES DO NOT PERFORM THE ____________FUNCTION CORRECTLY! AND…AS A RESULT WHAT OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTION IS NOT “REALLY” WORKING?

THEY DO NOT PERFORM THE ______________CORRECTLY EITHER – WHERE’S THE CONNECTION?

“THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE” THEORY What does Lawson’s theory say about who our parties choose to run for political office (President, Congress)? Is she accurate? Why? Why not? Is it good or bad for democracy?

WHY DO WE HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM?  Tr-----on  “The American I Consensus” The American perspective on government is mostly homogenous (similar)  E.C. SHOULD WE HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM?

WHY DO WE HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM? 1. TRADITION – Federalists and Anti - Federalists 2. AMERICAN IDEOLOGY – Homogeneous 3. ELECTORAL SYSTEM – Plurality / Single Member District / Winner Take All SHOULD WE STILL HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM?

IS A VOTE FOR A MINOR PARTY CANDIDATE A WASTED VOTE? What is THE ONE BIG difference b/w major parties (R & D) and minor parties? Why would minor parties say you are NOT wasting a vote? What would you do? Why? ◦ Candidate A – not your party affiliation ◦ Candidate B – your party affiliation but not addressing issues to your approval ◦ Candidate C – fits your political stance but not supported by major parties

The number of voters who register independent has increased? WHY?

WHY DO WE HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM? Read Chapter 5, Section 2 on the Two Party System. In your notes, identify and explain the reasons why we have a two party system ______________________________________________________ Work in groups of 3 or 4 Create a visual (no words) describing why we should keep or change the TWO PARTY SYSTEM (the alternative would be a ‘multi- party system) Extra credit points awarded Friday to the “Most Creative” and “Most Informative” visuals Visuals should be handed in at end of the period