Political Parties Unit IIITwo Parties Dominate American Politics

Political Parties Unit IIITwo Parties Dominate American Politics • Each group will be given One or two question on an overhead film. • Read the document, as a group answer the question with as few words as possible but still getting the point across. • For example the first question is: Where do one party systems usually occur? Why? Answer: ONE PARTY SYSTEMS exist in places like Cuba, Kuwait or Mexico because one group wants TOTAL POWER.

Here are the questions: Put the Answers in your Text Book. • Group 1: Why has America’s two party system endured throughout history? A: The TWO PARTY SYSTEM is part of our country’s TRADITION, taught by families and schools as part of our political socialization. • Group 2: What are TWO BARRIERS for minor or THIRD PARTIES getting on the ballot? A: The TWO BARRIERS for minors party candidates getting elected is they need thousands of VOTER SIGNATURES to even appear on the ballot and FILING FEES.

• Group 3: What is the difference between a Single Member District and Proportional Member District? Which do we use? • A: Proportional Member District get a portion of the seat based on percent of the votes, Single Member District is WINNER TAKES ALL. This is the system we use across our country. • Group 4: What are the voting patterns of a Multi Party system. A: Multi Party Systems use PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. Each party gets legislative seat based on the proportion of the vote received. Ex. England, France

• Group 5: What is the ROLE of THIRD PARTIES in our two-party system? A: Third Parties serve as a SAFETY VALVE, NEW IDEAS, or express concern about ISSUES. These parties do not expect to win elections. • Group 6: Identify the 3 types of Third Parties, give an example for each. A: ISSUE BASED usually focuses on issues. Ex. POPULIST PARTY- Graduated income tax IDEOLOGICAL are based on big ideas’. Ex. COMMUNIST PARTY- End capitalism SPLINTER break away from a major party. Ex. BULL MOOSE PARTY- progressive reform