1. Political Parties & What they do Unit 5: Ante Up

2. Major U.S. parties – Republicans & Democrats

3. Types of Systems

4. Two – Party System political system dominated by two major political parties

5. History of two party system Federalist & Anti-Federalists – Began with the ratifying of the Constitution – Now it is tradition & is unlikely to change – Why: Single-member districts Winner is the one who gains a plurality or largest number of votes Republicans & Democrats work in a bipartisan manner to perpetuate the system

6. History of two party system Minor parties have difficulty getting on the ballot & be heard

7. Minor Parties in the US – Ideological: Based on a particular set of beliefs Ex.: Communist Party – Single-Issue: Major parties often take on their issue as their own – Economic Protest Parties: Blames the business world & the major parties… Ex: Populist party, Occupy Wall Street – Splinter Party: Usually form around a certain personality that failed to win the nomination in a major party (Teddy Roosevelt, George Wallace)

8. Multi party system three or more parties compete for control of the government are common in Europe, Israel, & Japan Advantage – gives voters the opportunity of voting from a variety of choices – Majorities are rare & pluralities usually indicate winners

9. One party system Party & the government are the same thing. Example: People’s Republic of China

10. Platform – A political party’s statement of its goals & positions on all issues

11. Plank – A single issue on a political party’s platform