1. INTRO TO POLITICAL PARTIES

2.  With your table group:  Create a definition of a political party  Make a list of the purposes of a political party  Make a list of adjectives you associate with a political party POLITICAL PARTY

3.  Definition  Purpose  Adjectives DISCUSSION

4.  Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-zIl70pvbI  In your own words and using the information from the video:  Create a definition of a political party  Discuss MORE INFORMATION

5.  So, basically: A political party is an organization of citizens that attempt to control the government by winning elections and holding public office. DEFINITION

6.  Unlike many countries, there are only two major political parties in the US  Republican and Democrat  People in these parties represent full range of political thought  There are also minor or third parties in the US  Usually formed around common positions on specific issues POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE US

7.  Political parties first formed in the United States during the debates over ratification of the Constitution  The Federalists supported the adoption of the Constitution  The Anti-Federalists were concerned that the Constitution gave too much authority to the national government  From this two–sided battle grew a two party system that continues today HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE US

8.  Create a T-Chart showing the Costs and Benefits of having a two party system COSTS AND BENEFITS OF A TWO PARTY SYSTEM

9. Cost (Disadvantages)  It is difficult for “third parties” to elect officials to public office. The Republicans and Democrats have a monopoly on electing officials.  Party members and officials are at times accused of being overly “partisan.” This means they appear to put the interest of their party ahead of the interest of the nation. Benefit (Advantages)  Since the Republican and Democratic parties are not based upon common principles, they tend to have a moderating and stabilizing influence on politics.  Since there are only two major parties we are assured of having a majority government in the executive and legislative branches. Unlike countries with multi-party systems who often need to form coalitions to have a majority, almost all members of Congress are Democrats or Republicans. COSTS AND BENEFITS OF A TWO PARTY SYSTEM

10.  Though the two party system is not required by law, it has a tremendous advantage in the United States  The two main parties are unlikely to support laws that would improve the opportunity for third parties to do well in elections. In addition, while some citizens prefer having political parties that are less ideological, others would prefer belonging to a party that had common principles and positions, and one that also stood a chance of winning elections and controlling government. TWO PARTY SYSTEM

11.  What minor parties do you know?  What do you know about these parties? MINOR OR THIRD PARTIES

12.  American Government textbook, pages 132-133  Take notes on each of the four types of minor parties (including explanations of each and examples of the parties) TYPES OF MINOR PARTIES

13. POLITICAL SPECTRUM LeftRight Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary What changes? Rate of change? RadicalEverythingImmediate LiberalMany thingsQuickly ModerateSome thingsSteady ConservativeNot muchSlowly ReactionaryNothingBackwards Democrats Republicans

14.  Ideological  Have a comprehensive set of views (social, economic and political matters)  Often radical or reactionary  Most enduring type  yet never won a state in a presidential election  Examples (in USA) include:  Socialist  Communist  Libertarian TYPES OF MINOR PARTIES: IDEOLOGICAL

15.  Single-Issue Parties  Address one concern  Usually against something  Avoid other issues  Tend to disappear once their issue is adopted by one of the major parties  Examples  American “Know-nothing” – anti-immigration  Free Soil – anti-slavery  Right to Life – opposes abortion TYPES OF MINOR PARTIES: SINGLE-ISSUE

16.  Economic Protest  Come from periods of economic discontent  Regional issues  Farmer-labor parties  Disenchanted with current parties and desire change  Examples  Greenback  Populist  Tea Party  Occupy Wall Street…kind of… TYPES OF MINOR PARTIES: ECONOMIC PROTEST

17.  Splinter Parties  Split from Major Party  Discontented leader that the party centers around  Examples  Bull Moose (1912) – Teddy Roosevelt  Green Party (2000) – Ralph Nader TYPES OF MINOR PARTIES: SPLINTER

18.  What type of minor party is this: 1.The “Free Choice” party is formed by people intent on legalizing the use of marijuana 2.A group of Democrats, dissatisfied with the party's moderate nominee, decides to form a new “People’s Rights” party to back their more liberal leader, Henry J. Smith. 3.A group of angry Midwestern farmers and laborers forms the “Working People’s” party, calling for higher tariffs, higher farm subsidies, and congressional term limitations. 4.The “Social Justice” party calls for a complete overhaul of the American political, economic and legal systems. 5.The “Equity” party works for an end to affirmative action programs. QUICK CHECK

19. 1.Single Issue 2.Splinter 3.Economic Protest 4.Ideological 5.Single Issue QUICK CHECK - ANSWERS

20.  Green Party 2000 & 2004  Ralph Nader  Reform Party 1992 & 1996  Ross Perot  Independent 1980  John Anderson  American Independent 1968  George Wallace RECENT MINOR PARTIES

21.  Election of 1948  States Rights “Dixiecrats” – Strom Thurmond  Progressive – Henry Wallace  “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline  Election of 1912  “Bull Moose” Progressive party  Teddy Roosevelt 4.1m 88 EV  Taft 3.4 m 8 EV (1908 7.6m 321 EV)  Wilson 6.2 m 435 EV OTHER SIGNIFICANT MINOR PARTIES

22.  Policy advocates  Most successful  Women’s vote, Income Tax, Election of Senators  Success may mean end if single issue  Safety Valve  Option for the discontent  Green, Reform & Tea  Vote getter  Least success – Vote stealer? IMPACT OF MINOR PARTIES

23. VOTE STEALER?

24.  Republican Party  Formed in 1854 – single issue  Second in 1856 presidential election  Won Presidency in 1860  Became dominate party in last half of 1800’s  Still around today MOST SUCCESSFUL MINOR PARTY

25.  Don’t win  Major party reabsorbs the splinter group  Tea Party Republicans – never left!  Or group switches party  Personality cult – not party  Bull Moose Party – Teddy Roosevelt  Reform Party – Ross Perot  Issue is solved or no longer problem WHY MINOR PARTIES “FAIL”

26.  American Government textbook  Pages 116-118  Small Group (#s 1-5)  Read about your assigned purpose  Prepare information to share with a new group  Write down a minimum of four details  New Groups  In small group: count off A, B, C, D  Relocate with new group to share info PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES

27.  Name candidates for public office  Party selects candidates and presents them to voters  Gathers support for candidates  Recruit and choose candidates PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES: [1] NOMINATING CANDIDATES

28.  Attempt to inform and inspire voters  Tries to inform people to the party’s advantage  Many means: pamphlets, signs, buttons, stickers, advertisements on TV/radio/newspapers/magazines/internet, speeches, rallies  Try to shape their positions to attract as many voters as possible PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES: [2] INFORMING AND ACTIVATING SUPPORTERS

29.  Political party acts to ensure good performance of candidates and office holders  Tries to make sure their candidates have good character and are qualified  Holds candidates accountable in office  If a candidate looks bad it causes the party as a whole to look bad PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES: [3] BONDING AGENT

30.  Most office holders are chosen on the basis of political party  Most work done in the government is done along party lines  Partisanship – a group from one party doing the work without members or input from the opposing party  Provide channels for legislative and executive to work together PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES: [4] GOVERNING

31.  Keep an eye on the other party  Especially the party that is in power  The party in power is the party that controls the executive branch  The party not in power often scrutinizes and criticizes the job of the other party, attempting to persuade voters to oust them in an upcoming election. PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTIES: [5] WATCHDOG

32.  http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=142982 http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=142982

33. POLITICAL SPECTRUM LeftRight Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary What changes? Rate of change? RadicalEverythingImmediate LiberalMany thingsQuickly ModerateSome thingsSteady ConservativeNot muchSlowly ReactionaryNothingBackwards