1. Chapter 5: Political Parties Opener

2. No America without democracy, no democracy without politics, no politics without parties, no parties without compromise and moderation.
-Clinton Rossiter, Parties and Politics in America

3. Essential Question
Does the two-party system help or harm democracy?

4. Guiding Questions Section 1: Parties and What They Do
What are political parties, and how do they function in our two-party system?
Political parties are groups of people who govern by nominating candidates, gaining public support, and winning elections.

5. Guiding Questions Section 2: Two-Party System in American History
How has the two-party system affected the history of American government?
Different parties have dominated government during different periods in U.S. history, with recent history seeing a divided government.

6. Guiding Questions Section 3: The Minor Parties
What role have minor parties played in American politics?
Minor parties have publicized key social and economic issues and occasionally played a spoiler role in presidential elections.

7. Guiding Questions Section 4: Party Organization
How are political parties organized at the federal, State, and local levels?
Parties are decentralized, relying on party committees and chairpersons to direct activities at each level of government with considerable independence.