POLITICAL PARTIES

NEW SEATS AND UPDATES *Seats might change around in the first few days* Research Paper due THIS THURSDAY 11/19. I will still look at rough drafts for partial credit until tomorrow. Chapter 5, Section 3 is due tomorrow Go Over Congress Test

PARIS UPDATE President's Address President's Address President's Address President's Address Read through the overview of presidential candidates reactions Read through the overview of presidential candidates reactions

AGREE, NEUTRAL, DISAGREE Political Parties are essential to our democracy. Political parties are corrupt and make the world a terrible place. Political parties are ok….it is just not right that there are only two major parties. Someday….I will belong to a political party.

POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEMS 3 Political Party Systems in the World 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 Only 1 party, so no competing ideas Party membership based on lineage, wealth, military power, religious power Party membership based on lineage, wealth, military power, religious power Example: China (Communist Party) Example: China (Communist Party)

POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEMS 2.) Multi-Party System: Three or more parties compete for control of the government Common in Europe, Israel, Japan Common in Europe, Israel, Japan Advantage : provides voters with many different choices and ideas Advantage : provides voters with many different choices and ideas Disadvantage: difficult for one party to get majority of votes, which leads to a Coalition: Disadvantage: difficult for one party to get majority of votes, which leads to a Coalition: EXAMPLE – Italy (50 different govts. since WWII) Daisy Alliance Sunflower Alliance Italian Communist 500,000 votes 450,000 votes 200,000 votes 500,000 votes 450,000 votes 200,000 votes Coalition

POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEMS 3. Two-Party System: Two parties compete with each other to run the government. Party system of United States: Democrats and Republicans Party system of United States: Democrats and Republicans Thomas Nast 1870/74

ADVANTAGES OF TWO PARTY SYSTEM Stabilizing Stabilizing Keeps people near the center Keeps people near the center Extreme ideas not supported by populace Extreme ideas not supported by populace Continuity Continuity Government changes parties often Government changes parties often Transition is usually smooth Transition is usually smooth

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

REFLECT What is the greatest cause of polarization in America? Can this be addressed? How? *Take out graphic organizer from Monday

WHY ISN’T THERE ANYTHING ABOUT PARTIES IN THE CONSTITUTION? Framers were against ‘parties’ Framers were against ‘parties’ factions! factions! The first parties: Federalists and Anti-Fed. The first parties: Federalists and Anti-Fed. Our two-party actually tends to unify rather than divide Our two-party actually tends to unify rather than divide Both are moderate Both are moderate

PARTY ORGANIZATION National State Local

PARTY ORGANIZATION National State Local party voters and identifiers activists and volunteers ward and precinct committees

PARTY ORGANIZATION National State Local city & county committees. Congressional district committees state committees & conventions

PARTY ORGANIZATION National State Local chairperson and national committee national party convention

FUNCTIONS Nominate Candidate and Run Election 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 Providing resources for candidates Providing ideas for candidates

FUNCTIONS Informing and Activating Supporters Fundraising Getting out the vote

FUNCTIONS The Bonding Agent: Presenting alternatives to the electorate The Bonding Agent: Presenting alternatives to the electorate Voters need choices among candidates and among policy alternatives. These candidates should be qualified Voters need choices among candidates and among policy alternatives. These candidates should be qualified

FUNCTIONS Governing legislative leadership positions executive appointments judicial appointments Conducting business according to partisan ties

FUNCTIONS Watchdog: 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? 1. The force of tradition 2. Ideological “consensus” o free from bitter, fundamental disputes o pluralistic, yet a lot of agreement 3. The historical basis 4. The electoral system

OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM PREVENTS MORE THAN TWO MAJOR PARTIES ● Most elections are for single-member districts o “Winner-take-all” elections o Requires a plurality (the most votes) ● Why can’t a “third” party have a good chance? o Two viable choices: the incumbent party or next best chance party  The perception of the “wasted vote” o Very high bar to get name on the ballot

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PARTIES- NOMINATE, INFORM, BOND, WATCHDOG, GOVERN 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?

WHAT RULE-CHANGE COULD FIX THIS? ● Proportional representation

YET, THIRD PARTIES EXIST... ● Playing the role of critic, of innovator, of “spoiler” ● Types of minor parties o ideological parties o single-issue parties o economic protest parties o splinter parties Is it a wasted a “wasted vote”? Is it a wasted a “wasted vote”?

TYPES OF ‘THIRD PARTIES’ Ideological parties: based on a comprehensive view of social/econ/polit. matters Ideological parties: based on a comprehensive view of social/econ/polit. matters Single-issue parties: based on a single public question Single-issue parties: based on a single public question Economic protest parties: rooted in periods of economic discontent. anti-major parties, without having a clearly defined ideological basis. Economic protest parties: rooted in periods of economic discontent. anti-major parties, without having a clearly defined ideological basis. Splinter parties: split away from one of the major parties, often formed around a strong personality. Splinter parties: split away from one of the major parties, often formed around a strong personality.

● How do political parties affect democracy, in general? ● Would you prefer a multi-party system? ● What could be reformed about this system? ● Which type of minor party do you find the most compelling, or most important for the health of American democracy?