Define in your own words the term “political parties.” List the two major parties and name their parties national symbol. List at least two third parties. Pump Primer CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 16: THE PARTY SYSTEM

Being informed in political process is apart of being a good steward. It also enables a Christian to protect the civil liberties God has granted Americans. Christians should never allow their party loyalty to over- shadow their loyalty to Christ and His Great Commission. (Matt. 18: 19-20; I Peter 2:13-17, Rom. 13:1) Biblical Integration CHAPTER 16

LO 16.1 Define political party. State the four political party functions. LO 16.2 Explain why a two-party system developed in America State the characteristics of a two-party system. Identify the three major eras of political party competition. Explain the factors that increased participation in political parties LO 16.3 List the types of third parties. Explain the importance of third parties. Objectives CHAPTER 16

LO 16.4 List the four components of a major party at the national level. Describe the characteristics of a political party at the state and local levels. LO 16.5 Discuss the factors that have weakened the traditional party organization. Objectives CHAPTER 16

PARTIES AND THEIR FUNCTION

Politics describes the exercise of public power, the art and energy of governance. pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Party defined Political parties are organized to gain power by winning elections Two major parties Republicans Democrats Third parties pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Republican Party (GOP) - Elephants 1874 – newspaper expressing alarm over the belief that Grant would seek a third office MAJOR PARTIES = DOMINANT POLITICAL COMPETITORS Democratic Party - Donkeys When Andrew Jackson ran for president in 1828, his opponents tried to label him a "jack…" for his populist views and his slogan, "Let the people rule." First time used to represent the Democratic party.

Political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution. pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Party Functions Nominating candidates Governing Partisanship Watchdogs Moderating influence Benefits and dangers pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM

Reasons for Formation Tradition Dating back to the Federalist & Anti-Federalist Competition Not always equal Varies in different areas of the country Many presidential elections have been very close pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Reasons for Formation Electoral System Single-member districts (one representative is chosen) Winner-take-all pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Characteristics Diverse Support Broad Appeal Similar but Not the Same Party platforms Different Ideologies pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

one whose political view seeks to change the political, economic, and social status quo Liberal p. 331CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

one whose political view defends against major changes in the political, economic, and social institutions of society while seeking to improve conditions with reform as needed Conservative p. 331CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Characteristics Party Membership Stability More stable than a multiparty system Coalitions Flexibility pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Development and Direction Dominance in the White House Control of the House and Senate pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Jefferson and Jackson Era Conventions Delegates Previously, a caucus was used Patronage Spoils system pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Powerful Few Conventions were still dominated by a small number of power brokers Primaries Weakened political parties pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Other Party Systems Multiparty System Requires a coalition to govern One-Party System Control by an elite few pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

THIRD PARTIES

Types of Third Parties Issue Parties Usually one single burning issue Ideological Parties Usually outside the mainstream pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Types of Third Parties Depression Parties Usually lose strength as economy improves Splinter Parties Split from, and take votes from, the parent party pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Importance Popularization of ideas Political party convention Take votes from another candidate Draw attention to specific issues pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

PARTY ORGANIZATION

There are widely differing amounts of organizational, financial, and political strength among a party’s many components. pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Membership Strength Importance of individual initiative Precinct meetings County and state conventions Federalism Many different levels of government pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Nominating Process Potential for infighting Competition and bitter rivalry Need to unify before Election Day pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

National Organization National Convention Summer of presidential election years pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

National Organization National Committee and National Chairman Administration Fundraising Republican National Committee (RNC) Democratic National Committee (DNC) pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

State and Local Levels State party organization Local party divisions Wards Precincts pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

PARTY DECLINE

Changes Primary Laws Social Upheaval 1968 Democratic National Convention Primary and Delegate Increase Involvement by interest groups pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Changes Campaign Expense Party Democratization pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Independent Voters Yellow-Dog Demise Independent: no party affiliation Party Switching Ticket splitting pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Media Impact Television What will be addressed during public broadcasts Marketing of the candidate The Internet and Social Media pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Despite the forces that have weakened the current party system, political parties show no signs of becoming extinct. pp CHAPTER 16AMERICAN GOVERNMENT