1. Political Parties

2. What is a political party?
A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office
2 major parties in American politics: Democrat and Republican, but there are others

3. What do political parties do?
Nominate Candidates
-select candidates for voters to choose from to represent them
Inform and activate supporters
-inspire interest and participation in govt.
Bonding Agent Function
- ensures good performance of their candidates
Govern
-govern the people
Act as a watchdog
- watch over the conduct of the people’s business

4. Beginning of Parties in America
First 2 parties were Federalists and Anti- Federalists
Federalist party became the Democrat- Republican Party, it then later split
2 main parties in the United States are the Democratic and Republican parties

5. Democratic Party Founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson
Began as a group of small farmers, debtors, frontier pioneers
Democratic presidents: Obama, Clinton, FDR, JFK
Party mascot is the donkey
States that win the democratic vote are called “blue” states

6. Republican Party Founded in 1854 by Alexander Hamilton
Supported by business and financial interests, farmers and laborers
Republican Presidents- Bush, Reagan, Nixon, Lincoln, McKinley, Roosevelt
Party mascot is the elephant
States that win the republican vote are called “red” states

7. Minor Parties Sometimes called “Third Parties”
Created to promote ideas for those who do not have the same beliefs as the Democrats or Republicans
Examples of Minor Parties:
- Libertarians (favor limited govt)
- Socialist (promote group ownership and distribution of wealth)
- Socialist Labor Party (workers control business)
- American Independent Party

8. 4 types of Minor Parties
Ideological Party- based on popular set of beliefs ex: Socialist Labor/Worker parties
Single Issue Party- focus on one public-policy matter ex: Free Soil Party
Economic Protest Party- proclaim their disgust with major parties and demand better times, focus on enemies as the monetary system or foreign imports
Splinter Party- split away from the major parties ex. American Independent Party

9. What is their influence and are they successful?
They hold beliefs that major parties do not support
Brings attention to the minor parties
They have not been very successful
Do not have the money and advertising that the other parties have
Usually only stand for one issue