Bell Ringer What do you think a political

Bell Ringer!!!!!! What do you think a political ideology is? What do you think the 2 main ideologies in America are?

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES Where do you fit?

Political Ideologies Political spectrum- a spectrum that shows a range of political views Political ideology- A political ideology is a coherent set of views on politics and the role of the government. Platform- a political parties formal statement of basic principles, where they stand on major issues Liberal- Liberals typically believe that government is necessary to protect individuals from being harmed by others, they will generally believe in big government and using government policies to help the public. Conservative- generally opposed to the ideals of Liberalism and Socialism. Conservatism generally refers to right -wing politics which advocate the preservation of personal wealth and private ownership (Capitalism) and emphasize self-reliance and Individualism. Will generally support a hands off approach by government. Liberal= Democrat and Conservative= Republican

Political Spectrum

Ever wondered what the story was behind these two famous party animals? The now-famous Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters. Later, cartoonist Thomas Nast used the Democratic donkey in newspaper cartoons and made the symbol famous. Nast invented another famous symbol—the Republican elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote. ” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party. Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.

2016 Economic Political Spectrum

Social Issues– Where do they go? Liberal Change Gov solves problems Protect social programs Protect environment Pro gun control Anti death penalty More prevention & rehab Conservative Change Status quo Gov solves problems Small government Individual responsibility Protect social programs Protect economy Protect environment Anti gun control Pro death penalty Anti death penalty Pro-life Pro-choice Oppose gay rights Pro gay rights Status quo Small government Individual responsibility Protect economy Anti gun control Pro death penalty More prisons Pro-life Oppose gay rights

Economic Issues– Where do they go? Liberal Restrict econ. freedom Regulate capitalism Tax wealthy money to military Conservative More economic freedom Restrict econ. freedom Regulate capitalism Free enterprise Flat tax Tax wealthy money to military More economic freedom Free enterprise Flat tax money to military

How Groups Vote

Political Socialization- process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions Factors that can influence political socialization:

Bell Ringer!!!!! 1. 2. 3. 4. What is the political spectrum? Where do the 2 main ideologies fall on the political spectrum? Why might it be important to understand your political ideologies? How do your views on political issues determine your ideology?

Political Parties

What is a party? • A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. • The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties.

What is a Liberal? Liberals believe that the government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens. They usually call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system. They reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are, often called the status quo. Democrats are generally liberal

What is a Moderate? Moderates may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives. They are seen as tolerant of other people’s views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own. They advocate a “go-slow” or “wait-and-see” approach to social or political change.

What is a Conservative? People who hold conservative ideals favor keeping things the way they are or maintaining the status quo if it is what they desire. Conservatives are usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way. They feel that the less government there is, the better. They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least. ” Republicans are generally conservative

Independent An independent is variously defined as a voter who votes for candidates on issues rather than on the basis of a political ideology or partisanship

What do Parties Do? Nominate Candidates - Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. - Campaign, Inform and Activate Supporters , define issues, and criticize other candidates. Inform the people Other groups that do this: news media and interest groups (lobby groups, special interest groups, advocacy groups, and pressure groups) Modern Whig party

What do parties do? Insuring good performance- Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office – Qualified and of “good character” Govern - Members of government according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party. Candidate elected = party elected Act as a Watchdog - Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election.

Bell Ringer!!! What are the four reasons that America has a two party system?

Party Systems

Party Systems Single-Party Systems: one major political party holds power COUNTRY # PARTIES IN OFFICE Vietnam 1 Two-Party Systems: two major political parties United States 2 Third parties may exist, but they hardly ever gain enough support to win elections. Australia 7 Denmark 11 Germany 5 Guatemala 11 Iceland 5 Israel 12 Turkey 4 This is the least common system around the world. Multiparty Systems: Three or more political parties holding office No party gains control of the government, so parties must work together to get things done.

Why do we have a 2 party system The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always had one. Minor parties have never made a successful showing The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties. Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters.

Nations 1 st parties!!! Federalists • Led by Alexander Hamilton • Represented wealthy and upper-class interests • Favored strong executive leadership and liberal interpretation of the Constitution Anti-Federalists • Led by Thomas Jefferson • Represented the “common man” • Favored Congress as the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

American Parties: Four Major Eras The Three Historical Eras The Era of the Democrats, 1800— 1860 Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850 s, electing only two Presidents. The Republican Party is founded in 1854. The Era of the Republicans, 1860— 1932 Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections. The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800 s. The Return of the Democrats, 1932— 1968 Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times.

Americas Parties today The Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided Government Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party. 1968– 1976– 1980 - 1992 - 2000 - 2004 2005 -2007 2008 -2016 • Republicans hold the presidency • Congress is controlled by Democrats • Democrats hold the presidency • Congress is controlled by Democrats • Republicans hold the presidency • Senate controlled by Republicans 1980 -1986, controlled by Democrats from 1986 to 1994 • Democrats hold the presidency • Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present • Republicans hold the presidency • Congress is controlled by Republicans • Republican holds the presidency • Congress controlled by Republicans • Democrats hold the Presidency • Congress controlled by Republicans

Minor Parties in the United States

Minor Parties Types of Minor Parties • Ideological Parties: Based on a set of beliefs – comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters • Ex. Libertarian, socialist, communist • Single-issue Parties: concentrate on only one public policy matter • Right to Life, Free Soil, “Know Nothings” • Economic Protest Parties: rooted in periods of economic discontent • Greenback Party, Populist Party • Splinter Party: parties that split away from one or other major parties • Bull Moose, Progressive, Dixiecrat

Why minor parties are important 1. “Spoiler Role” Candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates Esp. if from splinter party: Parties that have split away from one of the major parties 2. Critic take stands/draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties ignore 3. Innovator draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems If gain support often integrated into the platforms of the two major parties.

The Future of Major Parties For voters : 1. Unwilling to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Republicans” 2. Split-ticket voting = voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election Wea conn kened e polit ctions to ical part ies: For candidates: 1. Structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties 2. Changes in the technology of campaigning (t. v. /internet) have made candidates more independent of the party 3. The growth of single-issue organizations