Unit 2 Political Parties

Government Fall 2012Mrs. Burns/Mr. Bellisario

Terms

• Partisanship – Allegiance to a certain political party.

Terms

• Minor Party – One of the less widely supported parties in the United States.

Terms

• Two Party System – Political system in which only two parties have reasonable chance of winning office.

Terms

• Consensus – A general agreement on fundamental matters among various groups.

Terms

• Incumbent – The person who currently holds the office.

Terms

• One-Party System – Occurs under a dictatorship or autocracy, a system in which only one party is allowed.

Terms

• Independent – Voters who choose to not belong to a specific party.

Political Cartoon

Swing Voter

Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties

Purpose Description ExplanationSelecting Candidates The activity that sets political

parties apart from other political groups.

Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs

Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character.

After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

Helps legislative and executive branches work together

Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party.

Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government.

The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties

Purpose Description ExplanationNominating Selecting Candidates The activity that sets political

parties apart from other political groups.

Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs

Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character.

After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

Helps legislative and executive branches work together

Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party.

Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government.

The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties

Purpose Description ExplanationNominating Selecting Candidates The activity that sets political

parties apart from other political groups.

Informing and activating supporters

Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs

Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character.

After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

Helps legislative and executive branches work together

Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party.

Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government.

The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties

Purpose Description ExplanationNominating Selecting Candidates The activity that sets political

parties apart from other political groups.

Informing and activating supporters

Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs

Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Bonding agents Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character.

After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

Helps legislative and executive branches work together

Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party.

Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government.

The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties

Purpose Description ExplanationNominating Selecting Candidates The activity that sets political

parties apart from other political groups.

Informing and activating supporters

Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs

Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Bonding agents Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character.

After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

Governing Helps legislative and executive branches work together

Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party.

Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government.

The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties

Purpose Description ExplanationNominating Selecting Candidates The activity that sets political

parties apart from other political groups.

Informing and activating supporters

Informing people and activate their interests in public affairs

Parties share this function with media and interest groups.

Bonding agents Tried to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character.

After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.

Governing Helps legislative and executive branches work together

Most appointments to executive branches are made on the basis of partisanship or allegiance to a political party.

Watch-dog Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government.

The loyal opposition urges votes to “throw the rascals out”.

Minor Parties Types of Parties Definition Examples

Minor Parties Types of Parties Definition Examples

Ideological Parties Those based on a particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters.

• Communist Party• Socialist Party • Libertarian Party

Minor Parties Types of Parties Definition Examples

Ideological Parties Those based on a particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters.

• Communist Party• Socialist Party • Libertarian Party

Single-Issue Parties Parties that focuses on a single public policy issue.

• Right-to-Life Party

Minor Parties Types of Parties Definition Examples

Ideological Parties Those based on a particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters.

• Communist Party• Socialist Party • Libertarian Party

Single-Issue Parties Parties that focuses on a single public policy issue.

• Right-to-Life Party

Splinter Parties Parties that split away from one of the major parties.

• Tea Party, a group that has split away from the Republican Party.

The Big Two

• Historically, political parties in the United States began with the Federalist and Antifederalist.

• Today, the two major political parties are the republicans and democrats

National Party MachineryMechanism Term (or when

it takes place)Role

National Party MachineryMechanism Term (or when

it takes place)Role

National Convention

Every 4 years during a presidential election

At the convention, delegates officially nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Also adopt party rules and platform.

National Party MachineryMechanism Term (or when

it takes place)Role

National Convention

Every 4 years during a presidential election

At the convention, delegates officially nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Also adopt party rules and platform.

National Committee

Between the convention

Meet to prepare for the next national convention.

National Party MachineryMechanism Term (or when

it takes place)Role

National Convention

Every 4 years during a presidential election

At the convention, delegates officially nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Also adopt party rules and platform.

National Committee

Between the convention

Meet to prepare for the next national convention.

National Chairperson

A position held for 4 years

Lead the national committee, directs party headquarters and works to strengthen the party.

2012 Republican National Convention

• Location: Tampa, FL• Officially nominated

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan for President and Vice-President.

Chair Person of the Republicans National CommitteeReinhold Reince Priebus

Republican Party Platform

• Official Party Platform • Summary:

– Ban all abortions and gay marriages– Reshape Medicare – Cut taxes to energize the economy and create

jobs.

2012 Democratic National Convention

• Location: Charlotte, NC• Officially nominated

Barack Obama and Joe Biden for President and Vice-President.

Chair Person of the Democratic National Committee"Debbie" Wasserman Schultz

Democratic Party Platform

• Official Party Platform • Summary:

– Taxes on wealthier Americans – Supporting same-sex marriage and abortion

rights.– Supporting the Federal Health Care Law.

Examining Data

• Using this link to the Washington Post, we can examine and break down the make-up of the Republicans and Democrats.

Democratic and Republican Party Make-Up

Characteristic Democrat Republican

Income / Occupation

Working Class Middle Class

Education Less Educated More educated

Gender / Age Women and younger people

Men and older people

Religion Catholics and people who don’t practice religion

Protestants

Ethnicity Puerto Ricans, Mexican-Americans, and African Americans

White and Cuban Latinos

Geography Urban areas (bigger cities) Rural and suburban areas