Parties and what they do Chapter 5 Section 1 Political Parties Parties and what they do Chapter 5 Section 1

Bellringer Take a few minutes to write down some words or ideas that you associate with the following labels: Democrat Republican Have students share their responses; write them on the board. Ask whether there are any patterns with the words or ideas associated with each party.

Objective 1) Students will be able to define a political party. 2) Students will be able to describe and identify the major functions of political parties. Chapter Essential Question to keep in mind: Does the two-party system help or harm democracy?

Question True or False: The U.S. Constitution specifically calls for the formation of national political parties. True or False: The Democratic and Republican party are the two major parties in American politics? False; True

What is a Political Party? **Political Party: is a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office.** Many voters cast their votes on the basis of the party label, without regard to candidates or issues in an election. Observers sometimes criticize this kind of voting behavior as thoughtless. Question: Do you believe it to be thoughtless? Knowing that a candidate is a Republican or Democrat often provides useful clues about where a candidate stands on key issues.

Other Political Parties Can anyone name some other other political parties besides Democratic and Republican?

Minor Parties in U.S. Libertarian Party Green Party Constitution Party Modern Whig Party Communist Party USA Prohibition Party Veterans Party of America United States Pirate Party Pirate Party: The party's platform is aligned with the global Pirate movement, and supports reform of copyright laws to reflect open source and free culture values, government transparency, protection of privacy and civil liberties, rolling back corporate personhood and corporate welfare, evidence-based policy, and egalitarianism and meritocracy based on the hacker ethic.

Major Functions of Political Parties Parties are indispensible to democratic government. They are a vital link b/w the people and their government; b/w the governed and those who govern. **They are often successful in their attempts to soften the impact of extremists at both end of the political spectrum, i.e., the range of political views. What is an extremist {Would a politician that fell in the middle of the political spectrum be extreme}? One on the extreme right or left in politics.

Major Functions of Political Parties 1) Nominating Candidates: they nominate candidates for public office, that is, parties select candidates and present them to voters. The debates we are currently having for the Republican nominee for president is part of this process.

Major Functions of Political Parties 2) Informing and Activating Supporters: parties campaign to tell voters about issues and to seek support. Question: In what ways do parties try to inform and inspire voters?

Answer campaigning for candidates; criticizing opposing candidates and views; conduct education efforts through pamphlets, signs, buttons, advertisements in newspapers/radio/TV/internet.

Major Functions of Political Parties Remember, both parties want to win elections, and that consideration has much to do with the stands they take on most issues. Both Republicans and Democrats try to shape their positions that will attract as many voters as possible – and at the same time, offend as few as possible.

Major Functions of Political Parties 3) The Bonding Agent Function: the party prompts its successful candidate to perform well in office. {If it fails to assume that responsibility, both the party and its candidate may suffer the consequences in future elections.} In other words, parties seek qualified, quality candidates because that is a key to ongoing support.

Major Functions of Political Parties 4) Governing: government in the U.S. is government by party, in several respects. Example: those who govern, are chosen on the basis of party; governments are organized on party lines; they conduct much of their business on the basis of partisanship (the strong support of their party and its policy stands). Also, most executive appointments are made on the basis of party and partisanship.

Major Functions of Political Parties 5) Watchdog Function: parties quickly report wrongdoing by the opposing party. They are constantly criticizing the policies and behavior of the other party.

Examples What party functions are occurring in this video? Arnold at 2004 Republican Convention (stop at 2:30) Nominating candidates; and Informing and activating supporters

Examples What party function is occurring here? Governing: because he made a nomination along party lines by nominating a liberal justice to the Supreme Court; Nominating candidates (technically no b/c a Supreme Court position is a nonpartisan position).

Examples Informing and inspiring supporters (immigration reform supporters); Watchdog function as it criticizes the policies and behavior of the party in charge of the House.

Party Functions Worksheet Identify the party function described by each action in the chart.

Party Functions

Exit Question The Framers were generally not in favor of political parties, and the Constitution does not include any mention of them. Yet parties quickly appeared in the new nation. What might government be like if there were no political parties? Could government as we know it function without them? Why or why not? Answers will vary. A good answer will indicate that it is theoretically possible for government to function without parties, but they offer so many practical benefits in the operation of government, the nomination of candidates, and the holding of elections, that it is difficult to imagine our government functioning in the same way without parties.