1. Political Parties

2. Political Spectrum

3. Political Spectrum

4. Political Spectrum

5. Political Spectrum

6. Political Parties
Political Party- organization of individuals with broad, common interest who organize to win elections, operate in government, and influence government policy
Two-party system- US party system with 2 main parties: Democrats and Republicans

7. Political Party Systems
Two-Party System: Two parties compete with each other to run the government.
Party system of U.S.: Democrats and Republicans
Advantages: Continuity
Disadvantages: Minority parties (third parties) receive little attention – focus is on two main parties

8. U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings
George Washington against political parties
“parties serve their own interests”
“parties not beneficial to American people”
Parties formed after his exit:
Democratic-Republicans
2. Federalists

9. U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings
Democratic-Republicans
Supported states rights
Supported economy based on agriculture
Power in hands of all people
Led by Thomas Jefferson

10. U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings
Federalists
Supported strong national govt.
Supported economy based on industry
Power in hands of wealthy and educated
Led by Alexander Hamilton

11. U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings
Federalists Breakup
Federalists gradually disappear – no political momentum
John Adams only party member to be elected President
Supporters formed new party: Whig Party ( )

12. U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings
Mid 1820’s: Democratic-Republicans breaking up
Democratic Party formed to continue representing small farmers and working people

13. U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings
1850’s: Democratic Party and Whig Party split over slavery
Pro-slavery voters form Democratic Party
Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats formed Republican Party

14. U.S Political Parties: Beginnings
Republican Party
1860: Abe Lincoln becomes 1st Republican President
Emerges as stronger of 2 parties after Civil War
:Only 2 Democratic Presidents elected
Grover Cleveland
Woodrow Wilson

15. U.S. Political Parties: Characteristics
Democratic Party
Tends to Attract
Working people (blue collar)
Liberals
Catholics
Minorities
Union Members
People in favor of govt. involvement in social policies

16. U.S. Political Parties: Characteristics
Republican Party
Tends to attract
Businesspeople (white collar)
Protestants
Conservatives
Non-minorities
Non-union supporters
People against govt.involvement in social policies

17. Third Parties Third Parties- smaller minor parties
Influenced politics by promoting ideas that were at first unpopular
They have never won
Presidency, but Democrats
and Republicans adopted
their ideas

18. Third Parties cont.
Single Issue Parties- form to promote a social, economic, or moral issue (usually don’t last long)
Prohibitionists Party formed in 1872 to ban alcohol

19. Third Parties cont
Ideological Parties- form to support a particular philosophy or idea
Socialists Labor Party and Communist Party USA believe that free enterprise should be replaced by one in which the government owns business
Libertarian Party want to cut the size of the federal government and increase personal freedoms

20. Third Parties cont.
Independent Candidates- form around leaders with strong personalities (usually don’t last long)
H. Ross Perot ran for President in 1992 and 1996

21. Third Parties cont Obstacles
Third party candidates must obtain a large number of voter signatures to be placed on the ballot
Trouble raising enough money

22. Other Party Systems
Multiparty System- one party rarely wins enough support to completely control government
Many countries have this: Germany has over 5 political parties, Israel has over 20
One-Party System- the party and government are the same
People’s Republic of China has 1 party: The Communist Party

23. Political Party
Platform- series of statements expressing the parties principles, beliefs, and positions on issues
Ex. Abortion, Death Penalty
Plank- each individual part of the platform
Ex. Dem support Abortion, Rep support Death Penalty
This communicates to
voters what the party will
do if elected

24. Political Parties

25. Democrats and Republicans
Basic difference between the Democrats and Republicans is their belief in how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans
Democrats- federal government should be more directly involved in citizen’s lives
Republicans- federal government should be less directly involved in citizen’s lives
Both parties try to adopt moderate positions and avoid extreme radical positions in order to attract more voters