1. Chapter 5 Political Parties

2. Pluralistic Society 5. Pluralistic Society – has several distinct cultures and groups Consensus 6. Consensus – general agreement Multi-party 7. Multi-party – several major and many minor parties exist One-party system 8. One-party system – one major party,usually a dictatorship

3. Section 2 Vocabulary Minor party 1. Minor party: less widely supported political party Two-party system 2. Two-party system –having two major parties Single-member districts 3. Single-member districts- only one candidate is elected to office Plurality 4. Plurality – largest number of votes cast

4. Section 2 The Two-party System

5. Why a two party system?

7. The nation started out with two- parties: the Federalists: and the Anti-Federalists

8. Framers felt that parties were factions and agents of divisiveness. Thus, the Constitution has no provision for Political Parties

9. Force of tradition

10. two-party system has hadMinor parties America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them

12. single-member districts Certain features of gov’t, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties. People usually choose to vote for the viable choice, usually not a minor party candidate.

13. two- party system. Also, American election laws are shaped to preserve, protect and defend the two- party system.

15. consensus Most Americans have a consensus on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States.

16. Our nation has two parties that tend to be moderate and middle of the road. In order to win “the vote”, they usually differ slightly.

17. Multiparty Systems

18. Advantages Provides broader rep. of the people. Responsive to will of the people. More choices at the polls. Disadvantages Parties form coalitions to win, which dissolve easily. Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government

19. Only one party is allowed Dictatorships Modified-one party wins most elections 50’s,North=Rep South=Dem