Political PartiesChapter 5 – Pgs. 60-75

POLITICAL PARTIES:

A group of people organized to influence government through winning elections

and setting public policy

Does our constitution mention political parties?

Party Systems

• One-Party Systemo A political system in which only one party exists or

routinely controls the government

• Two-Party Systemo A political system in which only two major parties

compete for control of the government

• Multiparty Systemo A political system in which may parties exist and

compete for control of the government

What type of party system does the United States have?

Roles of Political Parties

1. Recruiting & Labeling

Selecting candidates Help voters identify a

candidate’s political views

2. Acting as Watchdogs Minority = critics Majority = Monitor party in

power

3. Getting Out Information

Publicize points of view Campaign for candidate Criticize opponent Public develops opinions

about society’s problems

4. Running the Government

Legislatures= organized by party affiliations

Think of party’s position when voting

Influence of Parties in the U.S.

1. The Parties & Voters How do you join a political party? Independent: a voter who does not belong to or consistently

support one of the main political parties

2. Party Organization Top-down decision-making vs. bottom up decision-making Grassroots: people at the local level; average voters, not

professional politicians

3. The Party & Government Senate & House of Rep. – majority party leads legislative

process vs. minority party (must pay attention to party politics if they want success)

America’s Two-Party SystemWhy does the U.S. only have two parties?

America’s Two-Party System

1. Historical Influence• Tradition• Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists

2. American Political Beliefs and Values• Consensus – collective opinion, general agreement

3. Winner-Take-All SystemAn electoral system in which the person with the most voteswins; no majority is needed

• Winner only needs one more vote than opponent• Single-member district: an electoral district in which only

the one candidate with the most votes is elected to office

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiEt6703L1o

One or two-party system in the United

States?

The History of Political Parties in American History

The First Party System

• 1796-1828• Alexander Hamilton, co-

founder of the Federalist• Economic stability = national

bank• Strong central government

• Thomas Jefferson, James Madison & James Monroe

• Anti-federalists• Democratic-republicans

(later)• States’ rights & state banks

The First Democratic Era

• 1828-1860• Election of 1828 – Thomas

Jefferson• Democratic party formed

• Elevate opportunities for “ordinary citizens”

• Eliminate privileges for the elite• Who nominates president?

• Opposition Party: the Whigs• Henry Clay & Daniel Webster• North vs. South

The Republican Era

• 1860-1932• Republicans – 1850s anti-slavery party

• Candidate: Abraham Lincoln, election of 1860• Civil War• South = democratic• North = republican

History of Republican Party:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj0vzAuHqPk

Sarah Palin Meets Abraham Lincoln:http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=0c0_1309659867

The Second Democratic Era

• 1932-1968• Great depression

• Republican party down, Democratic party up

• President Franklin Roosevelt (D) – 1932

• New Deal Coalition – help country recover

• Help labor, the working classes & minorities

• President Lyndon Johnson (D)• President Dwight Eisenhower (R)

• Democrats control Congress and dominate state & local elections

The Era of Divided Government

• 1968-Present• Civil Rights

• Democratic party = pro-civil rights• Lose southerners to Republican

party

• The Vietnam War• Divided government

• President Jimmy Carter (D)• President Bill Clinton (D)

• Split ticket: a vote for candidates of more than one party in the same election

Difference between Republicans and Democrats:

http://www.comedycentral.com/video-clips/kau3gg/comedy-central-presents-lewis-for-president

Daily Show’s Take on Republicans:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-22-2011/the-correspondents-explain---political-parties---the-republican-party

Daily Show’s Take on Democrats:http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-22-2011/the-correspondents-explain---political-parties---the-democratic-party

The Present (2013)

• President: Barack Obama (Democrat)• Governors:

• 30 Republicans• 19 Democrats• 1 independent

• Senate:• Democrat (53)• Republican (45)• Independent (2)

• House of Representatives• Democratic (200)• Republican (232)• Vacant (3)

Congress House Leadership (current)

Republican Party• Majority Party

Democratic Party• Minority Party

Party Control of Governor’s Offices (2013)

Results of the United States House of Representatives elections. November 6, 2012.

   Democratic hold, Democratic pickup, Republican pickup, Republican hold

United States House of Representatives (November 6, 2012)

United States Senate (November 6, 2012)

Libertarians

• What is a Libertarian?• Individual liberty: especially of thought and action.

• Personal Responsibility• Strongly oppose any government interfering in their personal, family and

business decisions• Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they

see fit as long as they do no harm to another.

• In a nutshell: smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

• Are Libertarians liberal or conservative?• Neither

• Advocate freedom in economic matters• Socially tolerant

What does the term “Tea Party” mean?

• The Tea Party movement is:• American political movement

that advocates strict adherence to the United States Constitution

• Reducing U.S. government spending and taxes

• Reduction of the U.S. national debt and federal budget deficit

Liberals v. Conservatives cont’d

Philosophy Liberal Conservative

Traditionally strong in states:

California, Massachusetts Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas

Symbol: Donkey Elephant

Color: Blue Red

Founded in: 1824 1854

Website: www.democrats.org www.gop.com

Senate Leader: Harry Reid Mitch McConnell

Chairperson: Debbie Wasserman Schultz Reince Priebus

Famous Presidents: Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter

Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon

Liberals v. ConservativesPhilosophy: Liberal Conservative

Economic Ideas: Favor minimum wages and progressive taxation i.e. higher tax rates for higher income brackets.

Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including the wealthy) and that wages should be set by the free market.

Stand on Military issues:

Decreased spending Increased spending

Stand on gay marriage:

Support (some Democrats disagree)

Oppose (some Republicans disagree)

Stand on abortion: Should not be made illegal; support Roe v. Wade (some Democrats disagree)

Should not be legal; oppose Roe v. Wade (some Republicans disagree)

Stand on Death penalty:

While support for the death penalty is strong among Democrats, opponents of the death penalty are a substantial fraction of the Democratic base.

A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty.

Social and human ideas:

Based on community and social responsibility

Based on individual rights and justice