1. Political Parties and Voter Behavior

2. Objective
Students will summarize key information about political parties in the US in written note form using information from a lecture and assess their political philosophy by taking a quiz and making generalizations about conservatives and liberals based on the quiz.

3. Warm Up (see paper)
Based on your current knowledge, what are some of the differences between the 2 major political parties in the US? Brainstorm/Discuss at your tables and make a list of 3-5 basic beliefs and/or descriptions of each party:
Republicans (“Conservatives”) -
Democrats (“Liberals”)

4. History of Political Parties
The Founders never anticipated political parties becoming an issue
In reality, the first 2 parties were the
Anti Federalists
Federalists
Colonists didn’t want parties because it promoted divisions and disunity

5. Why we have a 2 party system
Historically- it really was there from the beginning
Traditions- we can’t seem to not do it
The electoral college- only allows one candidate from a party
American ideological consensus- WE LIKE IT AND WON’T CHANGE!

6. Party Choice Factors that affect party choice include:
Family influence, Religion, Education
Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Major Events
Residence, Geography
Occupation, Income
Ideology – a set of values/beliefs
PARTISANSHIP: the strong support of one’s party and its policy stands.

7. 5 Functions of a Political Party
Nominating Candidates
Influencing Policy
Creating Balance in Government
Uniting Government
Informing Citizens

8. Political Spectrums & Compasses
Movement from conservative (right) to liberal (left) – Where are you? Explain.
LIBERAL
CONSERVATIVE
In this type of evaluation, your attitudes about government rely on views of economics and social issues in response to government action. You are not usually exclusively one or the other, you may “lean” more to the right or the left.

9. Are You a Liberal or a Conservative?
Take the political ideology profile test.
Mark answers Yes or No- YOU MUST TAKE A POSITION!
Afterwards, we will figure out if you are more liberal or more conservative in your political philosophy.

10. The Party “lines”

11. Day Two- Applying Political Ideology to Current Events
Objective
Students will be able to apply conservative and liberal political ideologies to current events in order to predict how a conservative or liberal would vote on current election issues.

12. Basic Party Platforms
On social issues, what do each of the parties generally think about….

13. Abortion Death Penalty Environmentalism Energy Prolife Pro- Choice
For it
Against it
Environmentalism
Protect it
Use it more liberally
Energy
Big push for alternative energy
Slowly move into alternative energy

14. Power of National Government
Immigration
Tighten border control
Make our country more accessible
War and Diplomacy
More apt to use military force
More apt to work with organizations like the United Nations
Power of National Government
National government should regulate education, health care, etc.
State governments should regulate education, health care, etc.

15. Government Budgets Taxes For “balancing” the budget
More apt to spend liberally
Taxes
Increase taxes
Reduce taxes as much as possible

16. Voter Behavior
According to the US Constitution, aliens are allowed to vote if they become citizens
The oldest minimum age a state can set for voters is 18
If you register to vote, you have to provide the following information
Name, age, place of birth, address, length of residence
Some groups are barred from voting. These include
People in mental facilities
Incompetent individuals
Those convicted of a serious crime

17. Voter Behavior
Elections that have the highest voter turnout are presidential election years
Some people choose not to vote because
Don’t think it matters
Lack of interest
Too much time, effort