American Political Parties

Today’s Objective After today’s lesson, students will be able to… Explain the purpose of political parties Describe how the American two political party system established Essential Skill Gather and organize information

Political Party An organized group with shared goals and ideals that joins together to run candidates for office and exercise political and electoral power.

Reflection What was the purpose of yesterday’s activity? Did we learn anything about political parties?

Agree or Disagree 1. Political Parties are essential to our democracy 2. The world would be a better place if there were no political parties 3. Political Parties are okay…it is just not right that there are only two of them. 4. Not voting for one of the two major parties is a waste of your vote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXyDAi51A7s 

Political Party Systems 3 Political Party Systems in the World 1. One Party System: Political party and the government are the SAME Only 1 party, so no competing ideas Party membership based on lineage, wealth, military power, religious power Example: China (Communist Power)

Political Party Systems 2. Multi-Party System: Three or more parties compete for control of the government Common in Europe, Israel, Japan Advantage: Provides voters with many different choices and ideas Disadvantage: Difficult for one party to get majority of votes, which leads to a coalition Example: Italy (50 different governments since WWII)

Political Party System 3. Two-Party System: Two parties compete with each other to run the government Example: United States of America Democrats and Republicans

Benefits of Two Party System Stabilizing Keeps people near the center Extreme ideas not supported by populace Continuity Government changes parties often Transition is usually smooth

Disadvantages Two party system does not allow voice of minority parties to be heard

The Constitution Why isn’t there anything about parties in the Constitution? Framers were against parties Factions! The first parties: Federalist and Anti-Federalists Our two-party system actually tends to unify rather than divide Both are moderate Point of opening activity

Party Organization National State Local

Party Organization National State Local ward and precinct committees activists and volunteers Local party voters and identifiers

Party Organization National State Local city & county committees. state committees & conventions State Congressional district committees city & county committees. Local

Party Organization National State Local national party convention chairperson and national committee Local

Functions Candidate Recruitment Parties need to find viable candidates for a whole range of elected positions at the federal and state level Obstacles to recruitment include: Time, Privacy, Finances, Prospects

Functions Organizing and Running Elections Providing resources for candidates Providing ideas for candidates

Functions Presenting alternatives to the electorate Voters need choices among candidates and among policy alternatives Democratic Party Platform Republican Party Platform

Functions Operating the government Legislative leadership positions Executive appointments Judicial appointments

Functions Providing organized “loyal” opposition to government (minority party or parties only) Make sure, if not in power, that party is ready for next election Leaders Issues Policies

Why do we have a two-party system? The force of tradition Ideological “consensus” Free from bitter, fundamental disputes Pluralistic, yet a lot of agreement The electoral system

Electoral System Our electoral system prevents more than two major parties Most elections are for single-member districts “Winner-take-all” elections Requires a plurality Why can’t a “third” party have a good chance? Two viable choices: the incumbent party or next best chance party The perception of the “wasted vote” Very high bar to get name on the ballot

Parties 1. Which of a party’s functions do you think most Americans would say parties actually give the most attention and energy? 2. Which of a party’s functions do you think is the most subtle, with most Americans being unaware of it 3. Why do people feel their vote would be wasted if they vote for a party unlikely to win, in the typical “single-member districts?” 4. Can you think of an alternative way to elect representatives?

Alternative Option Proportional Representation