Political Parties in the US Political Parties Political

Political Parties in the US :

Political Parties • Political Party - group of voters with common interests who want to run the government • The U. S. has a two-party system because there are only two main parties that hold most of the power

Functions of Political Parties • • Nominate Candidates Inform Voters Ensure candidates are qualified Help govern in Congress and State Legislatures • Act as watchdogs especially for officials of other parties

Past Political Parties • Federalists –Led by Alexander Hamilton –Favored a strong national government –Wanted a loose interpretation of the Constitution –“Rich man” Vote

Past Political Parties • Anti - Federalists –Led by Thomas Jefferson –Favored a weak federal (central) government w/ more power given to the states –Wanted a strict interpretation of the Constitution –“Common Man” vote

Third Parties (minor parties) • Rarely win any elections • However, they can effect outcome of elections • Reasons they fail – Not enough votes to get on ballot – Trouble raising money – Lack of name recognition

Third Parties continued… • Ideological parties- set of beliefs on social, economic, political issues (Socialist, Communist) • Single-Issue parties- one public-policy matter; usually short-lived; “Free-Soil Party”; “Right to Life” Party; “Prohibition Party” • Economic protest parties- economic discontent –Populists or “Green Back” Party • Splinter Parties- split from a major party –“Bull Moose” or Progressive –Dixie-crat Party –Green Party –Reform Party

Examples of Third Parties • Populist Party (1890’s) – Farmers and factory workers that wanted more support from the government – Wanted 8 hour work days and direct elections of Senators • Libertarian Party (1970’s) – wanted less financial change but more social change

• What percentage of the popular vote did the Populist Party get in 1892? • If Weaver didn’t run for the presidency in 1892, could the outcome of the election have been different?

Examples of Third Parties continued… • Progressive Party – Split from Republican Party – Led by Theodore Roosevelt – Caused Democrats win election in 1912 – AKA the Bull Moose Party – Wanted social and political reforms – Wanted to end corrupt business in US

• What percentage of the popular vote did the Progressive Party get in 1912? • If Roosevelt didn’t run for the presidency in 1912, could the outcome of the election have been different?

Independent Parties & Candidates • Party forms around candidate because of popularity • Example: Ross Perot

• What percentage of the popular vote did the Ross Perot get in 1992? • If Perot didn’t run for the presidency in 1992, could the outcome of the election have been different?

Party Systems • US has a two-party system - two main parties that hold most of the power • One Party System- Party and government are the same; jobs in a one party system include government jobs – Only one party allowed to run in elections – Examples- Communist in North Korea & Theocracy in Iran

Party Systems continued… • Multi-Party System- More than two parties have power – Most common in the world – Hard to win a majority (over 50%) • Must get plurality – most votes won among those running – Sometimes a coalition occurs and parties join together to get more votes – Examples • Canada – 3 parties • Germany – 5 parties • Israel – around 20 parties

Political Parties Today in the US • Republican Party – Born from the dispute over slavery – Lincoln was 1 st “Republican” president – 1932 – 1968 Southern conservatives (Former Democrats) move to Republican Party.

Political Parties Today in the US • 1932 – 1968 Southern conservatives (Former Democrats) move to Republican Party. • 1968 – Birth of the Modern Republican party – Tend to support • Stronger state governments • Less change, more tradition • Less taxes on the rich • Less government spending – Symbol- Elephant

Political Parties Today in the US continued… • Democratic Party – Has “roots” in Jefferson’s Democratic -Republican Party – 1932 – 1968: FDR (Northern Democrats) to power and grained support of African Americans and other minorities.

Political Parties Today in the US continued… – Tends to support • Stronger federal government • More opt to change • Taxing the Wealthy more • Spending more on government social programs (i. e. Welfare, Education) – Symbol- Donkey

Democrats Republicans • Strong Central Government • Federalist • Socially Liberal • Loose interpretation of the Constitution • Free Market with Limitations by the Government • Towards the Left • Strong State Government • Anti-Federalist • Socially Conservative • Strict interpretation of the Constitution • Free Market Economy • Towards the Right

Right v. Left • Right = people who hold more traditional values • Left = people who support more change in society

Radical –Far left –Call for rapid changes in government –May be willing to resort to extreme methods—including violence and revolution (Black Panthers)

Liberal • Government active in social welfare • Peaceful, gradual change • Reject violent revolution

Moderate • Share viewpoints of liberals and conservatives • Tolerant of other’s views • Prefer the wait and see approach to change

Conservative • Favor keeping things the way they are • Hesitant about adopting new policies • Less government involvement the better

Reactionary • Far right • Look back on the “good ol’ days” • Can tend to turn to extreme methods to achieve goals (KKK)