1. Political Parties & the Legislature

2. Objectives
Where on the political spectrum are the American ideologies and political parties?
How are political parties important in determining the speaker of the House and Senate?
What are 3 powers of the Speaker?

3. Ideology v. Political Parties
Both Political Parties want:
Strong Economy
Stable Government
Military security
Both Political Parties believe in:
Capitalism
Democracy
IDEOLOGY: the different approaches or methods people use to achieve these shared goals.

4. What is a Spectrum?
A person’s views on the issues help determine where they fall on the political spectrum.
The labels used on the spectrum are not pure categories, but they make up a continuum, or value line, and citizens and politicians fall somewhere on that line depending on what they believe.
Ask students to look for the root word of the term “continuum.” (Continue)

5. THE SPECTRUM
Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

6. What is a Radical?
Seen as being on the far left of the political spectrum, radicals call for wide-sweeping rapid change in the basic structure of the political, social, or economic system.
Some may be willing to resort to extreme methods to bring about change, including the use of violence and revolution.
Eugene V. Debs entered the presidential race several times in the early 20th century as a Socialist.

7. What is a Liberal?
Liberals believe that the government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens.
They usually call for peaceful, fast change within the existing political system.
They reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are, often called the status quo.
Ted Kennedy (D-MA), also known as “the Lion of the Senate,” has had a major impact on modern liberal legislation

8. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) is generally seen as a moderate.
What is a Moderate?
Moderates may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives.
They are seen as tolerant of other people’s views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) is generally seen as a moderate.

9. What is a Conservative?
People who hold conservative ideals favor keeping things the way they are or maintaining the status quo if it is what they desire.
Conservatives are usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way.
They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) lost his campaign for the presidency in 2008 but continues to be a powerful force in the Senate

10. What is a Reactionary?
Sitting on the far right of the ideological spectrum, reactionaries want to go back to the way things were—the “good ol’ days.”
Often reactionaries are willing to use extreme methods, such as repressive use of government power, to achieve their goals.
Senator McCarthy led a campaign to purge the government and Hollywood of communists in the Second Red Scare

11. Political Parties on the Spectrum
Democrats Independents Republicans
Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary c

12. Party Policies Democrats Republicans Affordable Care Act
Restrict ownership of assault rifles
Regulate businesses to promote environment
Reform Immigration Policy
Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Repeal Affordable Care Act
No restrictions on gun ownership and use
Reduce National Debt and Deficit by cutting gov services
Expand oil industry in America
Reduce taxes, especially on rich

13. 2008 Presidential Election

14. Political Parties on Capital Hill
House of Representatives
Speaker of the House- leader of the Majority Party in the House
Majority Whip- member of the majority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the speaker of the House
Senate
Speaker of the Senate- leader of the majority party in the Senate
Majority Whip- Majority Whip- member of the majority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the speaker of the Senate

15. Political Parties on Capital Hill
House of Representatives
Minority Leader- leader of the minority party in the House
Minority Whip- member of the minority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the Minority Leader
Senate
Senate Minority Leader- leader of the minority party in the Senate
Minority Whip- member of the minority party that convinces members of the party to vote with the Senate Minority Leader

16. Power of the Speaker Determines Procedure
Decides which bills should be debated and when
Organizes party to pass or oppose bills
Can either be a major ally or enemy of the Governor

17. Where on the political spectrum are the American ideologies and political parties?
Democrat
Independent
Republican c
Radical
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Reactionary

18. The largest party in the House and in the Senate determine the Speaker
How are political parties important in determining the speaker of the House and Senate?
The largest party in the House and in the Senate determine the Speaker
The Smallest Party in the House and in the Senate determine the Minority Leader

19. What are 3 powers of the Speaker?
1. Determines procedure
2. Decides which bills should be debated and when
3. Organizes party to pass or oppose bills

20. quickfire
Who do you think is more effective at passing laws in the legislature, legislators on the ends of the political spectrum (Radical/Reactionary) or legislators in the center of the political spectrum (Liberal/Moderate/Conservative)?