1. Political Participation
UEQ: How do citizens influence government?
Political Participation
LEQ: How are political views formed?
EATs3.1

2. Political Participation
Political Ideology Political Parties Two-Party System Third Parties Party Platforms

3. Celebrity quiz: Democrat or Republican?

4. How do you know which political party to join?
What is the purpose of political parties?
Political Ideology

5. Political Ideology Liberty (freedom) versus Security (control) LEFT
Center
RIGHT
Liberty (freedom) versus Security (control)
(Theme in Politics/Government)

6. Ideologies
Conservatism: A set of beliefs that include a limited role of national government in solving problems. Support traditional values and lifestyles, cautious about change.
Control Social Issues -- Freedom in Economy
AKA = Conservatives, Republicans, GOP
Liberalism: A set of beliefs that positive government action can improve the welfare of individuals. Tolerance for diversity and social change.
Freedom in Social Issues -- Control in Economy
AKA = Liberals, Democrats
Moderate: prefer a "middle ground" regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior.
Both Republicans and Democrats can by Moderates.

7. Moderate (Centrist) Political Ideology Social I ssues Economic Issues
Freedom
Liberal
Definition:
Libertarian
Definition:
Social
I ssues
Moderate
(Centrist)
Statist
Definition:
Conservative
Definition:
Govt. Control
(Zero Freedom)
Economic Issues
Freedom

8. Take the World’s Smallest Political Quiz! mrmarisgov.wikispaces.com
Where do you fall on the political map?
Plot yourself on your graph!

9. Political Parties
A political party is an organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting their members (who believe the way they do) elected to office. Political parties:
express the voice of citizens
inform citizens
involve citizens in the democratic political process.
recruit and nominate candidates
raise $
support campaigns
provide organization in government
political parties set goals for the government
advocate issues
write party platform and position statements (planks).
are “watchdogs” (keep other parties accountable)

10. “If I could not go to heaven but with a party [political], I would not go there at all” --T. Jefferson

11. Brief Party History
Federalist party – Washington, Adams, Hamilton ( ), supported strong central gov.; opposed by Anti-Federalists.
Democratic-Republican party, Thomas Jefferson (1800s-1834), opposed strong national gov. and supported states’ rights. Became Democratic party (Jackson).
Whig party (1834) opposed democrats and specifically “king Andrew” (royal tyranny)
Republican party born in 1854 by members opposed to slavery. Lincoln first Republican President in Republican party dominated until 1930s, FDR, Democrat.
Republican and Democratic parties prevail since 1854.

12. Two-Party System U.S. Politics
Red or Blue - Why?
A Republican or Democrat has won the Presidency since 1860.
There are 2 independents out of 535 in the 113th Congress.
There is only 1 Independent Governor in the United States.
PA Government, Third Parties?
Compare the # of political parties in the U.S. with other Countries:
factbook/fields/2101.html#sw

13. Two-Party System Winner Takes All
discourages “spoiler” vote on other candidates not likely to win
Alternative is “proportional representation” (5% of votes = 5% of seats in legislative body)
Duality of political issues
Two sides to major conflicts (Fed/Anti-Fed, life/choice)
two-sided debates = no room for third [party] point of view
Tradition
Republicans (GOP) and Democrats already make up majority of government members and leadership.

14. Third Parties Third Parties also form to support a cause or candidate
Influence elections by winning votes, press issues, often don’t receive as much financial support.
Few third-party candidates get elected to office
Examples:
Tea Party
Green Party (Ralph Nader)
Reform Party (Ross Perot received 19% of pres. Vote in 92)
Libertarian
Constitution Party
“Bull Moose” (Theodore Roosevelt, 1912)
Progressive
Socialist (Eugene Debs)
Free Soil

15. Which parties have the most members???
Party Platforms
A party platform refers to a political party's formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major issues.
Which parties have the most members???
2012 Democratic National Party Platform

16. Party Organization
Both parties have local, state, and national organizations.
RNC
DNC
State
State
Local
Local
Free Membership (register to vote)

18. Video: Brief History of Political Parties
Resources
Video: Brief History of Political Parties