1. Political Parties UNIT 5 – Political Parties

2. Political Party - group of voters with common interests who want to influence the government Political Party - group of voters with common interests who want to influence the government The U.S. has a two-party system because there are only two main parties that hold most of the power The U.S. has a two-party system because there are only two main parties that hold most of the power

3. Past and Present PAST Democratic-Republicans Led by Thomas Jefferson Favored a weak federal gov. w/ more power given to the states Federalists Led by Alexander Hamilton Favored a strong national gov.

4. PRESENT Democratic Party Has roots in Jefferson’s Democratic- Republican Party Today it tends to support Stronger federal government More change Taxing the rich more Spending more on government social programs (i.e. Welfare) Symbol: DonkeyColor: Blue

5. Republican Party Republican Party Born from the dispute over slavery Born from the dispute over slavery Lincoln was 1 st Republican president Lincoln was 1 st Republican president Today tend to support Today tend to support Stronger state governments Stronger state governments Less change, more tradition Less change, more tradition Less taxes on the rich Less taxes on the rich Less government spending Less government spending Symbol: ElephantColor: Red Symbol: ElephantColor: Red

6. Third Parties Rarely win any elections However, they can affect outcome of elections Reasons they fail Not enough votes to get on ballot Trouble raising money Lack of name recognition

7. Examples of Third Parties Populist Party Short-lived party in the 1890s Combo of farmers and factory workers that wanted better support from the government Wanted more financial change in government but less social change Libertarian Party Founded in 1971 Has opposite views of the Populist Party – want less financial change in government but more social change

8. What percentage of the popular vote did the Populist Party get in 1892? What percentage of the popular vote did the Populist Party get in 1892? If Weaver didn’t run for the presidency in 1892, could the outcome of the election have been different? If Weaver didn’t run for the presidency in 1892, could the outcome of the election have been different?

9. Progressive Party Split from Republican Party Led by Theodore Roosevelt Caused Democrats win election in 1912

10. What percentage of the popular vote did the Progressive Party get in 1912? What percentage of the popular vote did the Progressive Party get in 1912? If Roosevelt didn’t run for the presidency in 1912, could the outcome of the election have been different? If Roosevelt didn’t run for the presidency in 1912, could the outcome of the election have been different?

11. Single Issue Parties Promote a cause Not necessarily in it to win but to gain awareness Example Prohibition Party – wanted ban on alcohol

12. Independent Parties Party forms around candidate Example: Ross Perot

13. What percentage of the popular vote did the Ross Perot get in 1992? What percentage of the popular vote did the Ross Perot get in 1992? If Perot didn’t run for the presidency in 1992, could the outcome of the election have been different? If Perot didn’t run for the presidency in 1992, could the outcome of the election have been different?

14. Other Systems Multi-Party Most common in the world More than two parties have power Hard to win a majority (over 50%) Must get plurality – most votes won among those running Sometimes a coalition occurs and parties join together to get more votes Examples Canada – 3 parties Germany – 5 parties Israel – around 20 parties

15. One Party Party and government are the same Only party allowed to run Examples Communist – North Korea and China Theocracy – Iran