Functions of Political Parties Assist in the electoral process Assist in the electoral process...

Functions of Political PartiesFunctions of Political Parties

• Assist in the electoral processAssist in the electoral process– Help citizens with the voting processHelp citizens with the voting process


• Assist in the electoral processAssist in the electoral process– Help citizens with the voting processHelp citizens with the voting process– Provide a broad stance on major issuesProvide a broad stance on major issues– Act as a watchdog over elected officialsAct as a watchdog over elected officials



• Organize the GovernmentOrganize the Government



• Organize the GovernmentOrganize the Government

• Nominate CandidatesNominate Candidates

Liberal vs. ConservativeLiberal vs. Conservative


LeftLeft WingWing RightRight



ActiveActive Role of Gov’tRole of Gov’t MinimalMinimal




State / FederalState / Federal EducationEducation Local ControlLocal Control





Strict Strict RegulationRegulation

EnvironmentEnvironment MinimalMinimal







Less SpendingLess Spending MilitaryMilitary More More SpendingSpending









Gun ControlGun Control Less Less RegulationRegulation










Pro – ChoicePro – Choice AbortionAbortion Pro-LifePro-Life











Universal Universal Health CareHealth Care IndividualIndividual











Universal Universal Health CareHealth Care IndividualIndividual

High Taxes High Taxes Taxes Taxes Low TaxesLow Taxes

Political DictionaryPolitical Dictionary

• Electorate Electorate – The body of people entitled to voteThe body of people entitled to vote

• RealignmentRealignment– Shifting of the parties’ base of support Shifting of the parties’ base of support

among the electorateamong the electorate

One-Party SystemOne-Party System

• Single party controls the governmentSingle party controls the government

• Typically a dictatorshipTypically a dictatorship

• Use force or rules to stay in controlUse force or rules to stay in control

• The ruling party may rule for many The ruling party may rule for many years at a timeyears at a time

Two-Party SystemTwo-Party System

• Dominated by two major political Dominated by two major political partiesparties

• Each party represents diverse Each party represents diverse interests and opinionsinterests and opinions

• Moderate candidates are typically Moderate candidates are typically electedelected

• Control of the government changes Control of the government changes hands every few yearshands every few years

Benefits of the Two Party Benefits of the Two Party SystemSystem

• Providing Information – parties bring Providing Information – parties bring order the political world, they order the political world, they present information in a convenient present information in a convenient form.form.

• Accommodating Varied Opinions – Accommodating Varied Opinions – Parties try to consider varied Parties try to consider varied interests of all of its supportersinterests of all of its supporters

Benefits of the Two Party Benefits of the Two Party SystemSystem

• Discouraging Sudden Shifts – Discouraging Sudden Shifts – Prevents hasty changes based on Prevents hasty changes based on short term issuesshort term issues

• Encouraging Political Participation – Encouraging Political Participation – Increase voter involvement and Increase voter involvement and education, express diverse views and education, express diverse views and opinionsopinions

Multi-Party SystemMulti-Party System

• Several parties try to control the Several parties try to control the governmentgovernment

• Each party represents a specific Each party represents a specific region or issueregion or issue

• Focus on narrow issuesFocus on narrow issues

• Can lead to government instability Can lead to government instability

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• Independent Independent – Candidate not associated with any partyCandidate not associated with any party

• Third Party Third Party – Any political party besides the two dominate Any political party besides the two dominate

onesones

• Splinter Party Splinter Party – Individuals form this party when they feel their Individuals form this party when they feel their

concerns are not metconcerns are not met

• Ideological Party Ideological Party – Group whose basic political views differ from Group whose basic political views differ from

those of the majoritythose of the majority


• Party Machine – group of individuals Party Machine – group of individuals who dominate a political party in an who dominate a political party in an areaarea

• Patronage – awarding political favors Patronage – awarding political favors in exchange for political supportin exchange for political support

• Straight Ticket – only vote for a single Straight Ticket – only vote for a single partyparty

• Split Ticket – vote for candidates of Split Ticket – vote for candidates of different partiesdifferent parties


• Primary Election – used for Primary Election – used for nominating a candidatenominating a candidate

• General Election – actually choosing General Election – actually choosing their elected officialtheir elected official

• Precincts – voting districtPrecincts – voting district

• Ward – several precincts Ward – several precincts

Criticism of Political PartiesCriticism of Political Parties

• Self Serving Office Seekers – people Self Serving Office Seekers – people interested in personal gain rather interested in personal gain rather than sincerely working on issuesthan sincerely working on issues

• Politicking – greater concern with Politicking – greater concern with winning the public relations race winning the public relations race than with fixing the real issuesthan with fixing the real issues

Criticisms of Political PartiesCriticisms of Political Parties

• Special Interest – Many people think Special Interest – Many people think political parties are influenced too political parties are influenced too much by special interest groupsmuch by special interest groups– Provide money for campaignsProvide money for campaigns

Answer this QuestionAnswer this Question

Explain with supporting Explain with supporting evidence and examples the evidence and examples the differences between a one-differences between a one-

party, two-party and party, two-party and multiparty system. If you multiparty system. If you

could chose one system to be a could chose one system to be a part of, which system would part of, which system would

you choose and why?you choose and why?

Functions of Political Parties Assist in the electoral process Assist in the electoral process...

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