Political parties are organizations that share common political goals and seek to get their members elected to public office to advance those goals. Most countries have a party system consisting of either one dominant party, two major parties, or multiple parties. The United States has a two-party system with the Democratic and Republican parties vying for control of the government. While the parties agree on some basic principles, they differ in their approaches to issues like the role of government and how to help citizens. [/SUMMARY]

1. Political Parties

2. What is a Political Party?
 An organization of people
 Share the same ideas of
government
 Members committed to
party goals.
 Get laws passed to aid
party goals
 GOAL: TO GET INTO
POWER AND RUN THE
COUNTRY.

3. Party Systems
 Most countries have political parties
 Party systems
– One party
– Two party
– Multi-party

4. U.S. Party System
 Two party system
– Two major parties vie for office
– Other minor parties exist
– Major parties
– Democratic party
– Republican Party

5. Similarities of Major Parties in U.S.
 All value personal rights,
freedoms
 Educational opportunities for
all
 Economic opportunities for all
 Government duty- to protect
nation
 Preserve environment
 Help citizens

6. Differences
 Disagree on ways to meet goals
 Example:
– Democrats- government directly helps the poor
– Republicans- government helps economy and
poor get jobs

7. Benefits of Two Party System
 Stabilizing
– Keeps people near the center
– Extreme ideas not supported by
populace
 Continuity
– Government changes parties
often
– Transition is usually smooth

8. Disadvantages
 Minority groups left out
 Ex. Civil rights
 Women's movement
 Needed major party support

9. Multi-Party System
 Three or more parties- Japan, Israel
 Advantage- More voter choice
 Disadvantage- Voters divided
 No party gets majority votes
 Must form coalition government
 Coalition may not work-
– 50 governments in Italy since W.W.II

10. One Party System
 Party and government are
almost the same- China
 One party’s members run for
office
 Head of government usually
head of party
 Party members recruit new party
members
 Party members given top
government jobs

11. Party Language.
 Democratic
 Social
 Liberal
 Conservative
 Labour
 Republican
 National

12. Task: Challenge
 What is the main objectives of the following
Political Parties around the world.
 Scottish National Party (UK)
 United Kingdom Independence Party.
 Christian Democrats (Germany)
 Labour (Canada)
 Alliance Party (Northern Ireland)

13. HW: What is a Party Whip?
 Research the following question. What is a
Party Whip?
 What does it mean to ‘take the whip’
 Can you give examples of controversies in
the Whip?