Political Parties. A political party is an organization that seeks power and influence.
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Transcript of Political Parties. A political party is an organization that seeks power and influence.
Who are members?
• Members of a political party share the same or similar opinions on many issues, but there may be differences.
• Anyone can be a member as long as they are citizens of the US and are 18 years old and older.
Role of Political Parties
• Selecting and Supporting candidates– Informing the public and activating supporters
through pamphlets, bumper stickers, ads, signs, buttons
– Act as bonding agent • To ensure qualified representatives are carrying the
people’s message to government
Role of Political Parties
• Serve as a link– Enables the branches and levels of government to
communicate• Acts as a watchdog– The party not in power is watching the party in
power
The US Two-Party System
• In the United States, there are only two major political parties.
• The two major political parties in the United States are the Democrats and the Republicans.
• In China & North Korea, there is a One-Party System – or only 1 political party
• In Israel & much of Europe there are multi-party systems – or 3+ political parties
Why Political Parties
• Although the Constitution of the United States does not mention political parties, they came into being around the time the nation was formed.
The History of the 2 Political Parties
• Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had different visions of America's future. Their differences led to the first political parties in the United States.
• Jefferson favored a less active federal government, a limited presidency, and ties to France. Hamilton favored a strong federal government, a strong presidency, and ties to England.
Minor Political Parties
• The two-party political system in the United States is the result of a winner-takes-all voting system.
• Some minority parties– Ideological Parties (Environmentalism)– Independent Candidate Parties (on their own)– Single Issue Parties (Green Party)– Splinter Parties (Libertarian)
Differences between the Political Parties
• The differences between the two parties are not exact and there is a lot of overlap in their policies
• 1. In 2004, about 42.6 percent of Americans were registered Democrats, 32.5 percent Republicans, and 24.8 percent independents.
• 2. The Republican Party is called "right" and "conservative" and the Democratic Party is called "left" and "liberal". Both parties have a strong "center".
• 3. Political factions occur within parties when there are differences of opinions over policies.
• 4. George Washington did not belong to a political party. He is the only president that was elected as an independent.
Democrats & Republicans
• Democrats tend to favor a broader and more active role for the federal government, labor laws, and vigorous social programs.
• Republicans tend to favor states' rights, policies that favor businesses, and private solutions to social problems.
Political Parties & Ideas
• Platforms and Planks– Platform – a political party’s statement of its goals
and positions on all issues– Plank – a single issue on a political party’s platform