1. Identify and define political parties and their purposes. Catherine Trice & Leontyne Browley

2. What is a political party? A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office. Want to affect certain public policies and programs. Issue-oriented.

3. Major Parties In American politics: –Republican –Democratic Election- oriented.

4. Green Party (1984) Want a more democratic, safer, and cleaner world. Want decisions to be made by the people and not by a few giant corporations. Want sustainable world where nature and human society co-exist in harmony.

5. Constitution Party: Seven Principles of the Constitution Party are:Seven Principles of the Constitution Party are: –1. Life: For all human beings, from conception to natural death; individual; –2. Liberty: Freedom of conscience and actions for the self-governed.

6. –3. Family: One husband and one wife with their children as divinely instituted; –4. Property: Each individual's right to own and steward personal property without government burden; –5. Constitution: and Bill of Rights interpreted according to the actual intent of the Founding Fathers;

7. –6. States' Rights: Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government, nor prohibited by the Constitution to the states, is reserved to the states or to the people. –7. American Sovereignty: American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, and not entangled in foreign alliances.

8. Libertarian Party: Third largest political party Want a world in which all individuals can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction.

9. What do they do? Essential to democratic government Link between the people and their government. –Will of people is made known to government Help unify the American people by encouraging compromising.

10. Functions 1.Nominating candidates: –Parities select candidates, then present them to the voters –Help candidates win elections

11. 2. Informing and Activating Supporters: –Inform, inspire, and activate people’s interest and participation in public affairs –Campaign, take stands on issues, and criticize opponents –Try to attract many voters and offend as less as possible.

12. 3. The bonding Agent Function: –To ensure the good performance of its candidates and office holders. –Prompts its successful candidates to perform well in office. –The party will suffer if candidate fails to perform well.

13. 4. Governing: –Public officers chosen of basis of party –State legislatives are organized on party lines, and they conduct business on partisanship basis. *Partisanship: Strong support of party and it’s political stands.