Political Political Parties & Parties & Politics Politics Chapter 9Chapter 9

Section 1: Section 1: Development of American Political Development of American Political Parties Parties The Two-Party System

Despite the wishes of our first president, political parties were formed. During most of American history there have been two major political parties Other parties (third parties) have sometimes run in election, but they seldom win.

Roots of the Two-Party System Two rival political groups formed shortly after Washington became president. Over time and through several changes, the Democrats and Republics have become the major party system.

Third Parties Throughout American history, third parties have arisen to influence politics. No third parties has even won a presidential election. Third parties have impacted American politics.

Example: Populist Party of the 1890s included a combination of farmers and laborers. The Populists called for direct election of senators and eight hour work day. The two major parties adopted many of their ideas. Example: When Theodore Roosevelt ran for president as a Progressive he took votes away from the Republican candidate. Therefore, the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson won the election.

Reasons Third Parties Arise: Single-Issue Parties- attempt to promote a social, economic, or moral issue.

Example- Prohibitionists Party Ideological Parties- focus on changing society in major ways.

Example- The Socialist Labor Party and Communist Party USA support government ownership of factories, transportation, resources, farmlands, and other businesses. Independent Candidates- sometimes third parties form around well-known individuals who cannot get support from on of the two major parties.

Other Party Systems Political parties are not unique to the U.S. Most democracies have multiparty systems.

Canada- 3 major parties Germany- 5 major parties Israel- more than 20 major parties

In a one-party system, the party an the government are nearly the same thing. The People’s Republic of China- only has one party- the Communist Party

Today’s Major Parties: Competing political parties are a necessary part of democratic government. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two parties. Both try to appeal to as many voters as possible. They do this by avoiding radical or extreme positions. Each party writes a platform. This is how voters can understand each parties beliefs and position on election issues.

Section 2: Section 2: National Party Organization National Party Organization Each party has a national committee made up of representatives from every state. The committee helps raise funds for presidential elections and organizes the party’s national convention. A national party chairperson rune the committee. A key job of the national committee is to hold the national convention every four years. At the convention, party delegates from all states nominate candidates for president and vice president

State and Local Organizations Each party has 50 state committees or organization. State committees- focus on electing party candidates to state offices- governor, attorney general Precincts- a geographic area that contains a specific number voters..

Ward- several adjoining precincts. County Committees- counties are the largest political units a state. Focus on electing party candidates to county offices- sheriff and mayor Political Machines- a groups of people form one party become so powerful that they sweep elections year after year. –Tammany Hall and “Boss” Tweed.

Section 3: Section 3: Role of Political Parties Today Role of Political Parties Today Nominating Candidates

The people who make up political parties play an important role in the American system of government. They keep people informed and interested in the issues and candidates. Primary Elections: today major parties in all the states nominate candidates at all levels of government through direct primaries.

Closed Primary- this is an election in which only the declared members of a party are allowed to vote for party nominees. Open Primary- voters do no need to declare their party preferences in order to vote for the party’s nominees. Runoff Primary- held if no candidate receives majority. Between the two top vote getters.

Other Party Roles Other Party Roles Campaigning for Candidates Informing citizens

Through speeches, informational pamphlets, TV, Radio. Helping Manage Government

Handing out government jobs. Linking the Different Levels of Government Acting as a Watchdog

Voting Voting and and ElectionsElectionsChapter 10 Chapter 10

Who Can Vote?Who Can Vote? To be eligible to vote, you must be at least 18, a resident or the state for a specified period of time, and a citizen of the U.S. People who meet the qualifications must register to vote before they can take part in an election. People who have been convicted of serious crimes are the most common exception to the general rules. Most states deny them the right to vote until they have served their prison sentences.

Steps in VotingSteps in VotingAt the Polls- study the ballot, write your address and sign, the clerk reads your name out loud, a challenger looks up your registrations and compares signature. Casting a Vote- punch-card machine or the lever machineAbsentee Voting- in case you will be out of town or unable to make it to the pollsCounting the votes- when the polls close, election workers count the votes at the polling place and take the ballots and the results-called returns- to the election board.

Why Your Vote Matters Why Your Vote Matters All the people who are eligible to vote are called the electorate. Each person’s vote counts. The 2000 presidential election was decided by 500 votes in the sate of Florida.

Section 2: Section 2: Election Campaigns Election Campaigns Types of Elections

General Elections- The first part in this process is the nomination of candidates in a primary election. Then, in a general election, the voters choose candidate for various offices. General Elections always take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Voting on Issues- in some sates and local elections, voters may decide on issues as well as candidates. Special Elections- Runoff elections and recall elections

Presidential Election Presidential Election Presidential elections have three major steps:

Nomination- begins a year before the election and formal nomination of a candidate happens at each parties national convention in the summer of the election year. Campaigns- usually in full swing by early September. The Vote and the Electoral College- In every state a slate, or list, of electors is pledged to each candidate. The candidate who wins the popular vote in a state usually receives all of the state’s electoral votes. 270 electoral votes are needed to win presidency.

Section 3:Section 3:Paying for Election Campaigns Paying for Election Campaigns Running for Office

It takes a great deal of money to run a successful campaign for a major office today. Canvassing- candidates or campaign workers travel through neighborhoods asking for votes and taking public opinions polls. Endorsements- when a famous and popular person supports or campaigns for a candidate. Endorsement is a kind of propaganda technique (an attempt to promote a particular person or idea)

Advertising and Image Molding- campaign workers spend much time and money to create the right image for a candidate. Much of that money goes for advertising via newspaper advertisement, posters, TV ads.Campaign Expenses- TV commercials cost tens of thousands of dollars per minute. Other campaign costs include travel, transportation, salaries of campaign staff members, etc.

Financing A Campaign Financing A Campaign Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)- It limited the amount-called hard money- that individuals or groups could donate directly to a candidate or a political party. Soft Money and PACS- most money for elections campaigns from private sources rather than public funding. PACs are organizations set up by interest groups especially to collect money to support favored candidates. To avoid FECA restrictions, candidates seek soft money donations given to a political party and not designated for a particular candidate's election campaign. Soft money could come from individuals or PACs and the FECA has placed less restriction on soft money.

InfluencinInfluencing g GovernmeGovernment nt Chapter 11Chapter 11

Section 1: Section 1: Public Opinion Public Opinion Public opinion helps shape the decisions of every president and understanding public opinion can help presidents time their decisions so they are effective. The public opinion of Americans is not uniform.

Why do people often hold Why do people often hold widely differing opinions about widely differing opinions about a particular issue or a particular issue or government action? government action? Personal Background: Age, gender, income, race, religion, occupation, and place of residency play important roles. The Mass Media: Mass media provides powerful images and political information that directly affect people’s attitudes. Public Officials: Public officials state their views in speeches, news conferences, television appearances, etc. Interest Groups: work at influencing public opinion by trying to persuade people toward their point of view.

Measuring Public OpinionMeasuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls: asking individuals to answer questions in a survey. Random Samples: a well constructed sample will reflect the characteristics of the entire population (ages, incomes, races,) Polls and Democracy: some believe polls allow officeholders to keep in touch with citizens’ changing ideas about issues. Critics argue that polls makes out elected officials more concerned with following the public rather than exercise political leadership.

Section 2: Section 2: The Mass Media The Mass Media Types of Media:

Print Media: Newspapers, Magazines, and books Electronic Media: radio, television, and internet

The Media’s Impact on The Media’s Impact on Politics and Government Politics and Government Setting the Public Agenda: when the media publicizes a problem, such as pollution, people begin to worry about it and expects the government will deal with it. Candidates and Elections: previously candidates were usually experienced politicians who had spend many years working their way up. Today sports and show business celebrities with little experience can quickly move into major political positions. Elected Officials: The media needs something to report and leaders want the media to portray them as hardworking and effective. They need each other.

The Media’s Impact on The Media’s Impact on Politics and Government Politics and Government Watchdog Role: Journalists are eager to expose government waste or corruption. Media and National Security: there is tension between the American citizens’ need for information and the need for the government to keep secrets to protect national security. The government can control information the media reports by classifying information as secret. Protecting the Media: The media is protected by the 1st amendment.

Section 3: Section 3: Interest GroupsInterest Groups Types of Interest Groups:

Economic interest groups: try to influence government decisions on issues that affect their industry/group, like taxes, new safety regulations, etc. Other Interest groups: people have organized the promote and ethnic group, age group, or gender.

Example: Nation Organization for Women (NOW) Public interest groups: work for the benefit of most of society.

Example- Common Cause has fought for legislation to control pollution, to reform election campaign practices, and to protect consumers.

Influencing GovernmentInfluencing Government Election Activates: Many interest groups form PACs to collect money from its members and use it to support some candidates and oppose others. Going to Court: For example, when a law is not being properly enforced (in the opinion of an interest group) , the group may sue the party who is breaking the law. Lobbying Lawmakers: Information is one of the lobbyist's most important resources. Lawmakers need up-to-date info about the public issues and the most effective lobbyists are able to supply this information in a way that helps their own cases and persuades lawmakers.

Techniques of Interest Techniques of Interest Groups Groups 1. Endorsements: if people admire the person endorsing a candidate or product, they will support that candidate or product. 2. Stacked Cards: presenting only once side of an issue, often by distorting facts. 3. Name-Calling: an attempt to turn people against an opponent or an idea by using an unpleasant label or description for that person or idea. 4. Glittering Generality: a statement that sounds good but is essentially meaningless.5. Symbols: using and misusing symbols when appealing to the public. 6. Just Plain Folks: using photos of candidates wearing hard hats, talking to factory workers, eating pizza, etc. Making people think a candidate is just like them. 7. The Bandwagon: Convincing people that everyone else is doing is so they should too.