1. Political Parties

2. What are political parties?
A political party is defined as an organized group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.

3. Make-up of Parties Party in Government
The office holders who organize themselves and pursue  policy  objectives under a party label.

4. Party in organization
The workers and activists who make up the party’s formal  organizing structure. 
debbie wasserman Schultz reince priebus

5. Party in Electorate
The voters who consider themselves allied or associated  with the   party. 

6. Functions of parties 1. Recruit Candidates
Parties search for candidates, nominate them, and help to  define  their viewpoints. 
2. Building Coalitions
Parties try to build coalitions of like­minded citizens. 
3. GET INFORMATION  OUT 
Mailings, social media platforms, and other forms of communication  can build support. 

7. More Functions 4. POLICY FORMATION & PROMOTION
Political parties play a major role in running the government.  Legisla tures at national and state level are organized along  party lines.  M ost political appointments in the federal  executive and judicial bran ches are made along party lines. 
5. OPPOSE OTHER  PARTY  (AKA: WATCHDOG) 
No party is in control of all level of government  Parties are  the “loya l opposition,” trying to force compromises.

8. Two party v Multi Party

9. Minor Parties Typically unsuccessful in America.
Rare examples: Ross Perot 1992 & 96, Teddy Roosevelt 1912.
Do not have financial support or name recognition that reaches low-information voters.

10. Types of Minor Parties SINGLE ISSUE PARTIES
Created to advance a particular policy  or to solve one particular   political  concern.  
​(Examples: ​Free Soil Party​ wanted to end  slavery.  The ​American  Party​ wanted to tighten restrictions  on immigration and citizenship) 

11. Splinter Parties
Break off from a larger existing party  due to an ideology differing fro m that of  party leaders.

12. Economic Protest Parties
They are created due to concern with  economic conditions.  ​(Exa mple: In 1892, the  Populists​ focused on issues that farmers faced) 

13. Ideological Parties
Created to follow a prescribed ideology  and have  comprehensive  views of  government and policy that differs  greatly from that of  the two major  parties.

14. Conventions Held once every four years.
Create platform: a list of party values and beliefs going into the election cycle.
Nominates candidates.
A rallying of the troops before the election.
2016 Sites
GOP: Cleveland, OH
Dem: Philadelphia, PA

15. Conventions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOmoXquHdL8
Era 1 (Through 1832) Closed door caucusing. Done through the party elites.
Era 2 (Through 1932) State based conventions. State parties and people in the party ran the conventions.
Era 3 (Through 1968) Candidate centered conventions. Candidates announced, seek support from prominent party members.
Era 4 (Since 1968) More of a show, we already know whose the nominee. Party unity, pep rally.

16. When Conventions go wrong
(GOP)
(Tyler’s Party)