Political Parties Day II

How do you determine the party you belong to? Look at platforms of different partiesLook at platforms of different parties Platform—a series of statements expressing a party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issuesPlatform—a series of statements expressing a party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues

New planks are added every 4 years at a party’s national conventionNew planks are added every 4 years at a party’s national convention Plank—each individual part of a political party’s platformPlank—each individual part of a political party’s platform A party’s candidate, or person running for office, will represent their party’s platformA party’s candidate, or person running for office, will represent their party’s platform

Political Ideologies Factors that determine a persons political ideologyFactors that determine a persons political ideology –How much change is allowed in government –How much the government should interfere with your life

Right v. Left Right = people who hold more traditional valuesRight = people who hold more traditional values Left = people who support more change in societyLeft = people who support more change in society Based on this—are you more right or left?Based on this—are you more right or left?

5 Ideologies RadicalRadical –Far left –Call for rapid changes in government –May be willing to resort to extreme methods—including violence and revolution

Government active in social welfareGovernment active in social welfare Peaceful, gradual changePeaceful, gradual change Reject violent revolutionReject violent revolution Liberal

Moderate Share viewpoints of liberals and conservativesShare viewpoints of liberals and conservatives Tolerant of other’s viewsTolerant of other’s views Prefer the wait and see approach to changePrefer the wait and see approach to change

Favor keeping things the way they areFavor keeping things the way they are Hesitant about adopting new policiesHesitant about adopting new policies Less government involvement the betterLess government involvement the better Conservative

Reactionary Far rightFar right Look back on the “good ol’ days”Look back on the “good ol’ days” Can tend to turn to extreme methods, such as repressive use of government power, to achieve goalsCan tend to turn to extreme methods, such as repressive use of government power, to achieve goals

Where do you think you stand now?

Roles of Political Parties 1.Informing Citizens 2.Campaigning for Candidates 3.Operating the Government 4.Linking the levels of government 5.Acting as a Watchdog- making sure the party in power does what it is supposed to.

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