1. Who they are and what they do
Political Parties
Who they are and what they do

2. For you… What is the purpose of a political party?
What are some of the functions that they carry out?
What is the party in power in Kansas? the USA?

3. What is a Party?
A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections
A group of persons, joined together on the basis of common principles, who seek to control government in order to affect certain public policies and programs
Republicans and Democrats
Principle and issue oriented or election oriented?

4. What do Parties do? Link between the people and their government
Between the governed and the govern
Encourage compromise among the contending views of different interests and groups
Unify more than divide

5. What do Parties do? Nominating Candidates
Name candidates for public office
Help them get elected
Nominating is almost exclusively a party function

6. What do Parties do? Informing and Activation Supporters
Inform the public
Inspire and activate their interest and participation in public affairs
Take firm stances on issues
Criticize opposition
Does this through…
Pamphlets, signs, buttons, stickers, TV, radio, Internet, etc.

7. What do Parties do? Bonding Agent Function
Makes sure that the individuals nominated or running for office with that parties name attached are not unqualified for the office they seek
If it fails to assume this responsibility, both the party and its candidates may suffer the consequences in the future elections.

8. What do Parties do? Governing Government by party
People chosen, often done so because of party
Partisanship—the strong support of the party and its policy stands
Election of a president without parties would be impractical
Funding
Support
Financially
Voting Base

9. What do Parties do? Acting as Watchdog
Usually seen of the party our of power
Criticizes the policies and behavior of the party in power
Party in Power—party that controls the executive branch of government
“the loyal opposition”—opposed to party in power but loyal to the people and the nation

10. The Two-Party System

11. The Two-Party System
Video: Odd One Out: Third Parties in a Two-Party System
Questions to answer:
Would our country be better off if more third-party candidates ran for office, or fewer? Why?
More- raise issues that major parties are reluctant to raise
Fewer- “spoiler effect”
How would politics in America be different if we had a true multiparty system?
Government might be more chaotic and less stable with frequent party and leadership turnover
Parties might be more responsive to citizens as there would be more competition, and citizens would have more choices at the polls

12. The Two-Party System The Historical Basis
Not written in to the constitution, but…
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Fought over the constitution
Many denounced these parties as bad for the country
Factions
Disunity of the country
The parties today take a firm stand on issues, but they tend to be middle of the road ideas
Self-perpetuating

13. The Two-Party System The Electoral System
Reinforces two-party systems by the winner-take-all approach
Just need plurality of the votes to carry a state
“Voters usually face only two viable choices”
Vote for candidate holding office
Vote for candidate with the best chance of displacing incumbent
Parties Act in a Bi-Partisan manor:
Much of the above was created by the two main parties to “preserve, protect, and defend…the two-party system”

14. The Two-Party System What is unique about our two-party system?
Despite differences of ethnic, racial, religious and other social groups, most people fit in to the two-party system
Consensus—a general agreement among various groups on fundamental matters

15. The Two-Party System pg: 122-124
What is a multi-party system?
Define a coalition, incumbent, plurality,
In recent decades, different groups aligned themselves up with different parties. Who did the Catholics align themselves up with? White Males?
What are 4 factors that influence party choice?

16. Review Quiz—From Handout
Explain how each of the following factors perpetuates the two-party system.
The Historical Basis
The Electoral System
In a multiparty system, what are each of the different parties based on?
What are the arguments for and against the multiparty system?
Who, in the past years, votes Democrat?
Who, in the past years, votes Republican?

17. Review Quiz—Answers worth: 7pts
Federalists v. Anti-Federalists & Reinforces two-party systems by the winner-take-all approach, Just need plurality of the votes to carry a state, “Voters usually face only two viable choices” (2pts)
Each is based on a particular interest (economic class, religious beliefs, etc.) (1pt)
For: more responsive to the people, more broad representation
Against: instability in the government (2pts)
African Americans, Catholics, Jews and union members (1pt)
White males, Protestant, and business community (1pt)

18. Republicans and Democrats
Things to know from both hand-outs and the book:
Identify the origins of each of the parties.
Identify the major ideas presented in the different eras of each party
ex: what did the Republican party do during the Reconstruction Years
Who supports these parties today?
Quiz Tuesday—You may use your notes on the quiz

19. Minor Parties
Ideological Party
Single Issue Party
Economic Protest Party
Splinter Party
Strictly from the name, which idea would incorporate your party. Why do you think so.

20. Ideological Party Party based on a particular belief set
Comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters
Most built on some aspects of Marxist thought
Socialist
Socialist Labor
Socialist Worker
Communist
Libertarian
Calls for doing away with most of government’s present functions and programs
Long-lived Parties

21. Single-Issue Parties One Public-Policy
Names usually indicate parties concern
Free Soil
Know Nothings—Irish-Catholic Immigration
Green Party
Goal not to win election, but to win attention
Have the major parties take up the issues

22. Economic Protest Parties
Rooted in economic discontent
No real clear-cut ideological base
Proclaim disgust with major parties
Demand better times
Focus Anger on real or imaginary enemies
Wall Street bankers
Railroads
Foreign imports
Parties
Greenback Party
Populist Party

23. Splinter Party Break-away from or “splinter” from a main party
Differ on some issues
Usually form around a strong or charismatic leader
Parties
Bull Moose Party
Progressive Party
States’ Rights Party (Dixiecrat)

24. Minor Parties What is the difference between: Give one example of each
Ideological Party
Single Issue Party
Economic Protest Party
Splinter Party
Give one example of each

25. Quiz- Political Parties
List and describe 3 things that Political Parties do.
What is the historical reason for the two-party system?
What are the arguments for the multiparty system?
For each of the following minor parties, describe what the party is and does, as well as an example of each…
Ideological Party
Single Issue Party
Economic Protest Party
Splinter Party
What is gerrymandering?
What does the U.S. Constitution say about congressional districts?
How much of the population is represented by each member in the House?
What year did the government set a specific number for congressmen?