1. Development of American Political Parties

2. There were no political parties at the outset of our country

3. Remember, our Founding Fathers were able to come together and compromise regarding the serious issues of their day

4. However, during George Washington’s administration, he noted the growing factions he saw developing in the country

5. In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, President Washington wrote…

6. “How unfortunate, and how much is it to be regretted then, that whilst we are encompassed on all sides with avowed enemies and insidious friends, that internal dissensions should be harrowing and tearing our vitals.”

7. In the 32-page handwritten farewell address, Washington urged Americans to avoid excessive political party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances with other nations

8. So what is a political party?

9. Political Party – a group of citizens with common interests who want to influence government by electing candidates to public office

10. The key point here is that political parties want to win elections

11. When their candidates win elections, they can put into effect their party’s platform as part of social policy when they take office

12. Parties pick candidates who agree with their beliefs and try to persuade voters to support them

13. Anyone may join a political party by simply declaring himself/herself a member

14. When you register to vote, you will be asked to declare your party “affiliation” on the voter registration form

15. Let’s take a look at the voter registration form in North Carolina…

16. There are no membership applications, yearly dues, etc
There are no membership applications, yearly dues, etc. to be a member of a political party

17. The Two-Party System

18. The U. S. is considered a two-party system

19. So what are the major political parties in the United States?

20. International Affiliations
Political Party
States *
Founded in
Former Titles
International Affiliations
Democratic Party
50 + DC
1828
Progressive Alliance[2]
Republican Party
1854
International Democrat Union[3]
Libertarian Party
1971
International Alliance of Libertarian Parties, Interlibertarians[4]
Green Party
44 + DC
1991
Association of State Green Parties
Global Greens
Constitution Party
23[5]
1992
U.S. Taxpayers' Party

21. With all of these political parties in the United States, why is our system said to be a two-party system?

22. We are considered a two-party system because only two major parties consistently win elections

23. History of US Two-Party System

24. The United States has had two major parties win elections since the early 1800s

25. The Federalist Party – the first political party; wanted a strong national government and strong president; founded by Alexander Hamilton

26. Democratic Republicans – formed in opposition to the Federalist party; wanted less power for the national government and more for state governments; founded by Thomas Jefferson

27. Over time, Jefferson’s party grew stronger, while the Federalist Party faded away

28. In 1828, the Democratic Republican party split

29. Andrew Jackson emerged the leader of the new Democrat Party He was the first Democratic president

30. Whigs (National Republicans)– formed in 1830 to oppose Jackson

31. The Whigs and Democrats remained the two major parties until the 1850s

32. In 1854, Democrats and Whigs who opposed slavery broke away and formed the Republican Party

33. Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican president in 1860

34. The Democrats are said to be the party of Jackson The Republicans are said to be the party of Lincoln

35. Since then, Republicans and Democrats have been our two major parties

36. Why are the Donkey and the Elephant symbols of the each party
Why are the Donkey and the Elephant symbols of the each party? How did that come about?

37. The Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson’s 1828 presidential campaign

38. Jackson’s opponents called him a jackass (donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters.

39. For the Republicans, in 1874, cartoonist Thomas Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion’s skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo.

40. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote”
One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote”. That’s all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.

42. Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified

43. Republicans and Democrats

44. Identification with the two parties (2014)

45. Today the Democratic and Republican parties differ mainly in their belief about how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans

46. But that’s not quite true
But that’s not quite true! Generally speaking, Democrats want more government regulation of the economy but less government regulation in personal life Republicans want less government regulation of the economy but more government regulation in personal life

47. Generally speaking!

48. Democrats – generally believe … the federal government should be more directly involved in regulating the economy and provide services/programs for the elderly, the young, and the disadvantaged

49. Republicans – generally believe … less government regulation will help the economy grow, giving people a better chance of finding jobs and providing for themselves

50. Generally speaking!

51. Generally speaking, Democrats believe more in the power of government to do helpful things Republicans believe less in the power of government (and when government does something, it’s usually not helpful!)

52. Generally speaking!

53. Democrats tend to be more “liberal/progressive” than Republicans

54. Republicans tend to be more “conservative” than Democrats

55. Generally speaking!

56. Generally speaking, Democrats tend to be more liberal/progressive Republicans tend to be more conservative

57. So what’s the difference between liberal & conservative?

58. To answer that question, you have to understand what is a political ideology

59. Liberalism & Conservatism are political ideologies
Liberalism & Conservatism are political ideologies. What is a political ideology?

60. Political Ideology – A belief system that explains and justifies a preferred economic and governmental order for society, offers strategies for its maintenance or attainment and helps give meaning to public events, personalities and policies.

61. In other words, simply put…

62. An ideology is an organized system of beliefs

63. So what’s the difference between liberals and conservatives?

64. Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems.

65. Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

66. Here’s a chart that kind of sums it up…

67. However, ideology is not best explained on a straight-line continuum

69. How do most Americans identify themselves?

70. So where do you stand?

71. So what influences your ideology?

72. Are you liberal or conservative? Why?

73. Today’s Republicans & Democrats

74. Both parties try to appeal to as many voters as possible (both claim to be “Big Tent” parties)

75. As a result, they tend to adopt mainstream (moderate) positions and avoid extremes

76. The two parties are much more alike than not … especially when you compare them with European parties

77. Some say there is not much difference between the two parties

80. However, both parties try to present the other party as extremist and out-of-touch with mainstream American values

81. On the one hand… The Democrats try to paint the Republicans as Right Wing Wackos … Bible-thumping, war-mongering, anti-science, gun-loving fascists, bigots, and xenophobic racists

82. On the other hand… The Republicans try to paint the Democrats as Left-wing Loonies … God-hating, tree-hugging, terrorist-loving, gay-embracing, pinko socialists and communists

83. Third Parties

85. Third parties – have never won a presidential election, but can influence the outcome of elections and may influence policy

86. For example…

87. Populists – in the 1890s, farmers and laborers called for the direct election of senators and an eight-hour working day

88. And guess what happened?

89. The 17th Amendment (1913) gave citizens the right to elect senators by popular vote And we have an 8-hour workday (except many teachers work longer than 8 hours each day)

90. Therefore, once these issues became social policy, there was no need for the populist party

91. Often times, the platforms of the Third Parties are taken by the Major Parties and so the Third Parties fade away

92. Spoiler – third party candidates take votes away from one of the major-party candidates, enabling the other to win the election
Ross Perot
Ralph Nader

94. Some third parties arise to promote a single issue … a social, economic, or moral issue

95. We call these Single-Issue Parties – they disappear when the issue loses importance or a major party adopts it (Prohibition Party)

96. Ideological Parties – focus on changing society in major ways (Communist Party, Libertarian Party, for example)

97. (1980, Independent candidate,
Independent Candidates – parties form around individuals who cannot get support from a major party; party fades after candidate’s defeat
John Anderson
(1980, Independent candidate,
finished with 7%
of the popular vote)
George Wallace
(1968, American
Independent Party, won
10 million votes, 13% of
the vote, 5 southern states,
46 electoral votes)

98. There are two independents today in the United States…

99. Sen. Bernie Sanders Sen. Angus King (Vermont) (Maine)