Political Parties CHAPTER 16

Development of Parties SECTION I PAGE 453

Parties & Party Systems Political Party – Group of people with broad common interests Parties organize to: ◦Win elections ◦Control government ◦Influence government policies

One Party Systems In one party systems, the party is the government Party leaders set government policy Differences arise only within the one party because the government does not allow for political opposition Usually authoritarian governments ◦Power through force Theocracy

Multi Party Systems Most common political system Voters have a wide range of choices during elections Parties must combine and form coalitions in order to govern Coalitions may break down when disputes arise ◦These nations are often politically unstable

Two Party Systems The United States ◦Republican ◦Democratic About a dozen nations worldwide have two-party systems Both parties compete for power Minor parties still exist ◦Can you name any?

Minor Parties Often called “third parties” ◦Anti-Mason ◦Liberty ◦Free Soil ◦Know-Nothings ◦Constitutional Union ◦Southern Democrats ◦Prohibition ◦Liberal Republican ◦Greenback ◦Socialist Labor ◦Populist ◦National Democrat ◦Socialist ◦Bull Moose Progressive ◦La Follette Progressive ◦Communist ◦Union ◦Socialist Workers ◦States’ Rights Democratic ◦Henry Wallace Progressive ◦Workers World ◦George Wallace American Independent ◦Libertarian ◦People’s ◦U.S. Labor ◦Citizen’s ◦National Unity ◦New Alliance ◦Reform ◦Natural Law ◦Constitution ◦Green ◦Tea Party

Impact & Obstacles of Third Parties ImpactObstacles Sway Presidential Elections Difficulty getting on the ballot in all states Promote unpopular ideas Single member districts Reform in 1992 Financial difficulties Minimum Wage Mostly regional parties Emancipation

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