1. Political Parties

2. Political party: An organization that seeks to gain political power by electing members to public office so that their political ideas can be reflected in public policies

3. Major Functions of Political Parties  Nominate candidates (person running for political office) who agree with their beliefs and try to persuade voters to support their candidates in their run for office  Influence policy:  work to guide government policy – influence government officials regarding issues.  Unite Government:  Link members from different branches and levels of government  Create Balance  Inform Citizens

4. Party Platforms  To know where a party stands on the major issues, the voters can look at the party’s platform.  A platform is the aims and goals of a political party  The platform communicates to voters what the party plans to do if it wins.

5. Today’s Major Parties  A basic difference between the major parties is their belief in how much the government should be involved in the lives of Americans.

6. Third Parties:  We have a two-party system in which two major parties have competed for power throughout history (Dem/Rep)  Third Parties:  a political party that is not one of the two major parties in the country; a minor party  affect the outcome of elections and may influence government and social policy.  Have never won a presidential campaign

7. Democratic Party  Today, the Democrats are generally said to be more liberal.  Ideas about government:  Favor a larger role of government  Believe that the government should provide social programs to give everyone a fair shot at a good life.  Want to tax the wealthiest to fund those programs.  Focus on innovation, education, energy, and infrastructure.

8. Republican Party:  Today, the Republicans are generally said to be more conservative  Ideas about Government:  Smaller government with less social programs and less interference from the government  Believe in reducing the number of government social programs.  Are opposed to raising taxes.  Big supporters of a powerful military. People allowed to make their own way without interference from the government

9. Libertarian Party:  Ideas about government:  Individuals are allowed to rule their own lives. (Government will not interfere in people’s lives)  Government’s only job is to protect individual rights.  US should avoid making alliances and no longer will be the policemen of the world.

10. Communist Party:  System in which working people control their own lives and work together to better society.  Ideas about government:  Wealth is shared equally with all citizens.  Rights will be expanded.  Capitalism will be abolished.

11. Socialist Party:  Ideas about government:  Workers rule.  There are no social classes (everyone is considered equal)  Production of society is used to benefit all of humanity.  No privatization.  Economic activity based on providing necessities of life, including food, shelter, health care, education, child care, cultural opportunities, and social services.