1. Review - citizenship
In most states, what must children do until the age of 16?
What is a responsibility?
What is a duty?
Voting in political elections is a?
Registering with the govt. for military service is a?
What is tolerance?
What do we call people that do work for no pay?
The principle of “consent of the governed” is put into practice when citizens do what?

2. Chapter 9 vocab Political Party National Committee Closed Primary
Two-Party system
Caucuses
Open Primary
Third Parties
Precinct
Plurality
Platform
Ward
Majority
Plank
Political Machine
Petition
Direct Primary

3. Political Parties
Ch. 9

4. Party Systems
One Party System
Only 1 party is allowed to exist - no rival candidates – not democratic ex. People’s Republic of China
Multi-Party System – Most democracies
Found in many European countries
Problems – One party rarely wins a majority & can cause disorder & confusion
Coalition – alliance with another party to achieve a majority of the vote ex. Canada, Germany, Israel

5. US Two Party System Since 1860 - Democrats & Republicans
Major difference between the 2 parties –
*Democrats feel the govt. should be more directly involved in the lives of the people
*Republicans feel a strong economy will help people to help themselves.
George Washington hoped that parties wouldn’t develop. He saw them as factions that would eventually tear the country apart.
There are other parties but are a minority.

6. Quick history of US political parties
Washington’s secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson wanted less power for the national gov’t and more power to the states - Democratic-Republican Party. In 1828, the party split, and the new leader, Andrew Jackson aligned w/the Democratic Party.
Pres. Washington’s secretary of treasury, Alexander Hamilton wanted a strong national gov’t and president – the Federalist Party, eventually faced away and are replaced by the Whigs in the 1830s.
1854 breakaway Democrats and Whigs, who opposed slavery, formed the Republican Party. Whigs fade away
1860 Abraham Lincoln became the 1st Republican president and its been Republicans and Democrats ever since.

7. Minor parties that challenge the 2 dominant parties
Third Parties
Minor parties that challenge the 2 dominant parties
Never held the presidency, rarely wins other elections
Influence the candidates for presidency
They sometimes act as spoilers and take votes away from the major parties.
They sometimes influence the major parties with ideas.
Populist Party 1890s – farmers and laborers – wanted direct election of Senators and an 8hr work day – 17th amendment!
Progressive Party aka Bull Moose Party Split from Republicans (T. Roosevelt) – workers rights, anti-trust laws, gov’t funded creation of wildlife refuges for environmentalists
Republican and Democratic candidates are automatically placed on the ballot. 3rd parties must get enough signatures to even get on the ballot, have trouble raising enough money to run, usually only one candidate can win a district and most voters favor one of the 2 major parties
An independent candidate may get on the ballot if enough voters sign a petition—a paper declaring support for the candidate

8. 3rd Parties Based on 3 things
Single Issue – Ex: Green Party – wants to protect consumers from the power of corporations
Political Beliefs – Libertarian Party – limited gov’t interference in everyday lives, more individual freedom
Single Candidates –
Ross Perot -Reform Party –1992 – gained 19% of vote
Ron Paul – 2008
Grassroots movement – idea that starts with a group of people and moves to the national scene

9. Third Parties in US History
Ross Perot
Reform Party
1992
George Wallace
American Independent Party
1968
Ralph Nader
Green Party
2000, 2004

10. Political Party Functions
Main purpose – to get candidates elected to office
Encourage people to participate
Plank – a party’s stance on one issue
Platform – the goals of the party or stance on all issues
Express opinions
Get involved in government
Membership in a political party is not required but offers a way for citizens to be involved in politics – contribute money, volunteer work, help with election campaigns

11. What do Political Party’s do?
Parties nominate the candidate
Campaign for the candidate
Inform citizens
Help manage government
Link different levels of government
Act as a watchdog – make sure the other party doesn’t become corrupt

12. Party Organization
National Committee - each party has one made up of representatives from all 50 states and headed by a national party chairperson – raise money for presidential elections and organize the party’s national convention. Precinct – area with a specific number of voters. Can be an entire small town or part of large city. All voters in a precinct use the same voting place. Captains organize other party volunteers and encourage people to vote. Ward – several adjoining precincts – a volunteer represents the ward at the party’s county committee

13. Businesses would pay employees “bonuses” to vote for politicians.
Political Machines
In the past, some local party organizations became so powerful that they were called political machines
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Tammany Hall organization ruled New York City. Its leader Boss Tweed, grew rich from bribes and kickbacks.
At a time when no social service agencies existed, political machines provided needy citizens with jobs, food, and other services in return for votes.
Businesses would pay employees “bonuses” to vote for politicians.
Eventually became unresponsive to the needs of the citizens b/c no fear of losing power.

14. Nominating Candidates
Direct Primary Elections – registered voters in each state choose the candidate to represent the party in the general election –
2 types
Closed Primary – only declared party members can vote – most states
Open Primary – party declaration not required to vote - NC

15. For offices open to only one winner (President), the nomination usually goes to the candidate who receives a plurality—the most votes among all those running. Some states are different and require the winner to have a majority—a number greater than half of the total If no candidate receives a majority, the party or state holds a runoff election between the two top vote getters

16. REview
What kind of political party system does the US have?
What is a political parties stance on a single issue?
What is the main purpose of a political party?
What is an alliance with another political party?
What is the main stance of the Democrats? Republicans?

17. Which of the following best describes the Electoral College?
The popular vote carries more weight
This primary race helps narrow the field of candidates
It is a body of electors who pledge to vote for a candidate after the popular vote
It is a way that citizens can propose new constitutional amendments

18. Which of the following is the legal duty of citizenship?
Register and vote
Hold elective office
Keep informed about issues
Obey laws