Post on 13-Dec-2015
Political Parties
Political Parties
Four Party Eras
Political Parties
Political Parties
Political Parties
Political Parties
Political PartiesMulti-party System (European style)
1. Majority difficult to achieve2. Coalition governments
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
House of Representatives = 435 seats
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Parliament = 100 seats
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Conservatives = 30 Liberals = 28 Green=17 Soc. = 16 Ch.=9
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Conservatives = 30
Liberals = 28 Green=17 Soc. = 16
Ch.=9
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Conservatives = 30
Liberals = 28 Green=17 Soc. = 16
Ch.=9
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Conservatives = 30
Liberals = 28
Green=17
Soc. = 16
Ch.=9
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Conservatives = 30 Liberals = 28Green=17 Soc. = 16Ch.=9
Political PartiesAmerican Two-Party System
Republicans = 235 Democrats = 200
European Multi-Party System
Conservatives = 30 Liberals = 28Green=17 Soc. = 16Ch.=9
Political PartiesMulti-party System (European style)
1. Majority difficult to achieve2. Coalition governments3. Less stable
Political PartiesSome terminology . . .
Political PartiesSome terminology . . .
A. “major parties” = Democrats and Republicans
Political PartiesSome terminology . . .
A. “major parties” = Democrats and RepublicansB. “minor parties” or “third parties” = parties that
are NOT Democrats or Republicans
X X
Political PartiesSome terminology . . .
A. “major parties” = Democrats and RepublicansB. “minor parties” or “third parties” = parties that
are NOT Democrats or Republicans1. Libertarian2. Independent3. Green4. Reform
Political PartiesAmerican Nazi PartyAmerican Reform PartyBoston Tea PartyChristian Liberty PartyConstitution PartyCommunist PartyGreen Party of the United StatesIndependent American PartyJefferson Republican PartyLabor PartyLibertarian PartyModern Whig PartyNational Socialist MovementParty for Socialism and LiberationPeace and Freedom Party
Populist Party of AmericaProgressive Labor PartyProhibition PartyReform Party of the United States of AmericaRevolutionary Communist Party, USASocialist Party USASocialist Workers PartyU.S. Marxist–Leninist OrganizationUnited States Marijuana Party
Political PartiesSome terminology . . .
A. “major parties” = Democrats and RepublicansB. “minor parties” or “third parties” = parties that
are NOT Democrats or Republicans1. Libertarian2. Independent3. Green4. Reform
C. “independents” = people who do NOT identify themselves as either Democrats or Republicans
Political PartiesTypes of minor parties
A. Promote a cause (ideological/issue)
Political PartiesAmerican Nazi PartyAmerican Reform PartyBoston Tea PartyChristian Liberty PartyConstitution PartyCommunist PartyGreen Party of the United StatesIndependent American PartyJefferson Republican PartyLabor PartyLibertarian PartyModern Whig PartyNational Socialist MovementParty for Socialism and LiberationPeace and Freedom Party
Populist Party of AmericaProgressive Labor PartyProhibition PartyReform Party of the United States of AmericaRevolutionary Communist Party, USASocialist Party USASocialist Workers PartyU.S. Marxist–Leninist OrganizationUnited States Marijuana Party
Political PartiesTypes of minor parties
A. Promote a cause (ideological/issue)1. Communist Party2. Socialist Party3. Marijuana Party
B. Splinter1. American Independent Party (George
Wallace)C. Popular Individual
1. 1980 – John Anderson2. 1992, 1996 – Ross Perot
Political PartiesMinor parties – who cares?
A. Bring issues to the publicB. Act as spoilers
Political PartiesResponsible Party System
A. Parties present clear policy alternativesB. Each party’s candidates adhere to and execute
policy alternativesC. Minority party executes its loyal opposition roleD. Majority party accepts responsibility for results