1. Chapter 5 Political Parties

2. “Political Parties” What is a party? n A group of persons who seek to control government through winning an election n Most are made up of people who are committed to a common cause n The Democratic and Republican parties are coalitions represent the two major parties today

3. 5 Functions of Parties n The Nominating Function n The Informer-Stimulator Function n The “Seal of Approval” Function n The Governmental Function n The Watchdog Function

4. 5 functions n Nominate--name candidate for poli. office n Informer-Stimulator--make people interested in politics n “Seal of Approval”--what the party wants the candidate to look like n Government--helps provide leadership n Watchdog--critics of people

5. The Two-Party System: Reasons n The Historical Basis -The Framers of the Constitution were opposed to political parties. -Who were the first two parties in history? a.Federalistsb.Anti-Federalists n The Force of Tradition -Most Americans support the two-party system because it has always existed. -Minor parties have therefore made little headway.

6. Two-Party System: Reasons cont. n The Electoral System - Single-member districts preserve the two-party system--winner-take all. - State election laws are deliberately written to discourage minor parties. n The American Ideological Consensus - Although the United States is a pluralistic society, Americans tend to agree on fundamental issues. - America’s major political parties tend to take moderate stands in order to attract the largest possible number of voters.

7. New Parties n Ideological— Libertarian (set of beliefs) n single-issue--Right to Life

8. n Economic Protest (Populist party) n Splinter - Bull Moose- -split away from the major parties

9. National Convention n Parties Voice--summer time before an election to nominate their pick for the Presidential Candidate