Political Parties

Political Parties

• A political party is an organization that seeks power and influence.

Who are members?

• Members of a political party share the same or similar opinions on many issues, but there may be differences.

• Anyone can be a member as long as they are citizens of the US and are 18 years old and older.

Role of Political Parties

• Selecting and Supporting candidates– Informing the public and activating supporters

through pamphlets, bumper stickers, ads, signs, buttons

– Act as bonding agent • To ensure qualified representatives are carrying the

people’s message to government

Role of Political Parties

• Serve as a link– Enables the branches and levels of government to

communicate• Acts as a watchdog– The party not in power is watching the party in

power

The US Two-Party System

• In the United States, there are only two major political parties.

• The two major political parties in the United States are the Democrats and the Republicans.

• In China & North Korea, there is a One-Party System – or only 1 political party

• In Israel & much of Europe there are multi-party systems – or 3+ political parties

Why Political Parties

• Although the Constitution of the United States does not mention political parties, they came into being around the time the nation was formed.

The History of the 2 Political Parties

• Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had different visions of America's future. Their differences led to the first political parties in the United States.

• Jefferson favored a less active federal government, a limited presidency, and ties to France. Hamilton favored a strong federal government, a strong presidency, and ties to England.

Minor Political Parties

• The two-party political system in the United States is the result of a winner-takes-all voting system.

• Some minority parties– Ideological Parties (Environmentalism)– Independent Candidate Parties (on their own)– Single Issue Parties (Green Party)– Splinter Parties (Libertarian)

Differences between the Political Parties

• The differences between the two parties are not exact and there is a lot of overlap in their policies

• 1. In 2004, about 42.6 percent of Americans were registered Democrats, 32.5 percent Republicans, and 24.8 percent independents.

• 2. The Republican Party is called "right" and "conservative" and the Democratic Party is called "left" and "liberal". Both parties have a strong "center".

• 3. Political factions occur within parties when there are differences of opinions over policies.

• 4. George Washington did not belong to a political party. He is the only president that was elected as an independent.

Democrats & Republicans

• Democrats tend to favor a broader and more active role for the federal government, labor laws, and vigorous social programs.

• Republicans tend to favor states' rights, policies that favor businesses, and private solutions to social problems.

Political Parties & Ideas

• Platforms and Planks– Platform – a political party’s statement of its goals

and positions on all issues– Plank – a single issue on a political party’s platform