1. Chapter 9 Overview
Political Parties and Politics

2. Section I
Development of American Political
Parties
The Two-Party System - Political system in which the
electorate gives its votes largely to only two major parties
and in which one or the other party can win a majority in
the legislature.
Dominate Political Parties: Democrats
and Republicans
Examples of Roots of the two partysystem:
Favored strong federal government: Thomas
JeffersonFavored weak federal government: Alexander
Hamilton
Development of political Parties in the US

3. Section I
Development of American Political
Parties
 Third Parties - a political party formed as a dissenting
or independent group from members of one or both of
the two prevailing major parties.
Types of Third Parties:
 Single-issue Parties: Interested in promoting one
single issue, promotes social, economic or moral
issues.. example: Prohibition Party
 Ideological Parties: Focuses on changing society in
major ways. For example, take over businesses
 Independent Candidates: Usually well known
individuals cannot get support from one of the two
major parties.

4. Section I
Development of American Political
Parties
 Other Party Systems: Political parties are not unique to
the US, however Two party systems are rare. Most
democracies have three or more parties competing for
control.
Examples:
Canada: 3 Major parties
Germany: 5 Major Parties
Israel: Over 20
 Today's Major Parties: How much government should
be involved in Americans live and both have planks/
single ideas and platform overall ideas about how the
government should operate.

5. Section 2
Organization of American Political
Parties
 National Party Organization: Chairperson runs
committe Manage office, direct staff and lead fund
raising/ National Convention 4 yrs delegates
Nominate press and VP candidates/ Delegates
write party platform
 State and Local Organization: 50 state committees/
focus on electing party candidates to state offices,
governor, attorney general, state legislator.

6. Section 2
Organization of American Political
Parties
 Precinct Captains: Numbers of voters. Precinct captain - ongoing
volunteers for the party/ distribute leaflets, register voters, etc
 County Committees: County chairperson runs committees- build party at
Neighborhood/ "grassroots" level
 Political Machines: Local party organization that become very strong.
Candidates swept all elections. - New York - "Boss" Tweed- Rich from
bribes, kickbacks- most ended up in prison. Most serve useful purpose-
provide jobs, food, fuel, medical care in return for votes during elections.
 Joining a Political Party: Help citizens way to become involved in politics.
no duties other than voting. may do more if they wants to. (volunteer)
Political parties depend on citizen involvement to accomplish goals.
Breakdown diagram

7. Section 3
Role of Political Parties Today
 Nominating Candidates: Nominating Candidates
is done by a process called Nomination, the parties
select and offer candidates for public office.
 Primary Elections: Major Parties in all states
nominate candidates at all levels of goverment
through direct primaries, an election which voters
choose candidates to represent each party in a
general election.

8. Section 3
Role of Political Parties Today
 Other Party Roles: Nominating candidates for office is
just one of the many roles that political parties perform.
 Campaigning for Candidates: Once a party nominates a
candidate he/she does a campaign to help get across their
ideas and views on public issues to voters.
 Informing citizens: The partys goal is to inform citizens on
public issues and the way the goverment works through
informational pamphlets; speeches; and TV, radio, and
newspaper advertisement.

9. Section 3
Role of Political Parties Today
 Helping Manage Government: After election partys
still work, they have to hand out the goverment jobs.
 Linking the Different Levels of Government: Different
levels help people co-operate with the people who
have all similar ideas, or want the same thing. It helps
to tackle mutual problems.
 Acting as a Watchdog: A watchdog is a role played
after each election, the party that lost would now be
watching over the winning party for mistakes and
misuse of power.