2. Background
• Political parties were not around at the start of
American politics, George Washington even
warned against them
• People quickly discovered that there was value in
having a political organization, within 25 years
parties became the norm.
• Many parties have come and gone over time, but
among the most popular were the Whig,
Federalist, Republican, Democratic, & Progressive
parties
3. Party Systems
One-Party System Multi-Party System
• Usually found in • The political system allows for
dictatorships unlimited competing parties
• It is common to have 5-10
• Only 1 party exists, all popular parties capable of
others are made illegal winning elections
• Only political differences • Allows for a great deal of
that exist are among the competition and choice for
people
party leaders
• Also leads to greater conflict
• No choice and no real with so many parties with
political debate power
4. In Between: A 2 Party System
The United States is one of only a few countries
who use a 2 party system.
• In these systems 2 major parties compete for
power
• Other parties usually exist, but have little
power
• These systems offer some choice, but often do
not satisfy everyone
5. Third Parties
• In a system like that in the US, 3rd parties often
exist. While they rarely win big elections, they
can serve many purposes and have a major
impact in our politics.
6. Types of 3rd Parties
1. Single Issue Party – Party that focuses only on
one issue (Pro-Life, Environment, Etc.). They
usually don’t last long term.
2. Ideological Party – Focuses on attempting to
change society overall. In the US these parties
include Libertarian, Communist or Socialist
parties.
3. Splinter Party – These are made up of members
of an existing party, who branch out for one
reason or another. (Example: Tea Party) These
are usually the most popular 3rd parties.
7. What do 3rd parties do?
They rarely win, so why are they important??
• They raise awareness about issues & force
things to be talked about that otherwise
wouldn’t (min. wage)
• They can win small, local elections (city
council, school board, etc.)
• They can take votes away from major
candidates and be the difference in an
election (1992, 2000)
8. Why 3rd parties struggle
Many 3rd parties have good ideas, but still have
trouble winning elections…why?
• They have trouble raising $$ when people don’t
think they can win
• They must collect signatures and file papers to be
put on ballots
• We use a winner-take-all system, meaning that
only 1 person can hold office. Other countries
divide representation based on election results.
9. Party Organization
Political Parties operate like a pyramid.
National Party: Set
the policy for all
members, focus on
national elections,
and raise $$
State Parties: In all 50
states. Responsible to
register members and
attempt to win statewide
elections
Local Party Organizations: Thousands of
local chapters help recruit members, work
on campaigns at all levels, get out the
vote, etc.
10. What do parties do?
Political Parties serve 6 basic functions
1. Recruit Candidates to run for office
2. Educate the public on issues they feel are important
3. Help to operate the government (filling jobs,
communicating, etc.)
4. Dispense Patronage (aka – handout favors)
5. Serve as a watchdog of the party in power
6. Reduce Conflict: having 2 parties allows them to focus
and work together, as opposed to 100’s of individuals
trying to
12. Choosing a Party
• For many Americans this can be a difficult
choice. In fact, a large % of people cannot
choose a party & instead remain independent.
But in an election, we must all choose who to
vote for. Our political beliefs and opinions are
formed over many years, and can change
often in our lives.
13. Political Socialization
The factors that help us form our political
identity are know as factors of socialization.
1. Family/Upbringing – earliest and largest
influence, you develop ideas based on
conversations at home
2. School – As you learn about history,
government, and current events, you form
opinions about them
14. Political Socialization
3. Friends & peers – Through discussions with friend, co-
workers, neighbors you gather information and are
exposed to viewpoints that help
4. Personal Characteristics – Age, Race, Gender,
Occupation, Income, Location all have an impact
5. The Media – People are heavily influenced by what
they see & hear on the news, online, or in other forms of
media. For many people, they use this as their #1 source
of information.
15. Political Ideology
THE LEFT WING VS. THE RIGHT WING
Radicals: Liberals: Moderates: Conservatives: Reactionaries:
Far Left wing, Left of center, Can identify Right of center, Far right wing,
want major liberals tend to with both they embrace Want to “go
changes fast! think that liberals and tradition and back to the
Often want to government conservatives, are hesitant to way things
overthrow should be depending on make changes were” Will use
governments & active in the issue. without good violence and
change the peoples lives & Allow for reason. When authority to
whole system has a change, but they make restore and
responsibility with limits. changes it is maintain order
to its citizens. Usually usually slow, as they see it
Want to see tolerant of cautious.
changes, but other views, Typically want
within the vote government to
rules. unpredictably be small and
limited.
16. Political Ideology & Parties
THE LEFT WING VS. THE RIGHT WING
Radicals: Liberals: Moderates: Conservatives: Reactionaries:
Communists, Democrats, Republicans & Republicans, Nazi Party, KKK
Socialists, Green Party, Democrats… Libertarians,
Anarchists Reform Party Independents TEA Party
Anarchists, Communists, Socialists, Greens, Democrats, Independents, Republicans, Tea Party, Libertarians, KKK, Nazis
17. The Democratic Party
• Oldest Political Party in the US, dating to 1792
• Symbolized by the Donkey
• Famous Democrats: Thomas Jefferson (1st
Dem. To be President), FDR, JFK, Bill & Hillary
Clinton, Barack Obama
18. Philosophy of Democratic Party
• Democrats are often described as “Left Wing”
because they tend to be more liberal in their
beliefs.
• This means that they actively pursue change,
often times significant change
• Focus on equality, working for common good
• See a large role for government in taking care of
and providing for citizens through programs such
as healthcare, welfare, environmental issues, etc.
19. The Republican Party
• Also known as the GOP (Grand Old Party)
• Created as a 3rd opposing slavery in the 1850’s
• Symbolized by the Elephant
• Famous Republicans: Abraham Lincoln (1st
Rep. President), Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald
Reagan, The Bush Family
20. Philosophy of the Republican Party
• Republicans are usually “Right-Wing” or
Conservative
• They generally believe government should be
smaller, providing only a few needed services
• Reluctant to make major changes
• Tend to be more supportive of the individual
& individual choice rather than the common
good
21. THE PARTIES ON THE ISSUE Dem. Position Rep. Position
ISSUES Raise taxes on Cut taxes for all
wealthy, cut or people and on
maintain tax amounts businesses
Each party has a written on middle class or
Abortion Taxes
platform, or statement of poor
their position on major issues.
Pro-Choice Pro-Life
It is important to know that
these are just generalizations
about the parties, not every Place more Less restrictions on
Control
democrat or republican restrictions on guns/gun owners
Gun guns/gun ownership
shares the same beliefs.
Many of these issues are Against Support
complicated, and there may
Penalty
Death
be several opinions within the
parties themselves. It is also
common to see a republican Support most of Place more rules and
Programs
share beliefs with a democrat these and making limits on these
Welfare
on certain issues, and vice sure they are programs to cut
versa. available long term down costs
22. It is also important to know that the parties positions are always
THE PARTIES ON THE evolving and changing with the needs and opinions of America &
ISSUES Americans. The Goal is always to WIN ELECTIONS!
ISSUE Dem. Position Rep. Position
Usually slower to use military, Quicker to support military
want support from other action, willing to usually spend
Military
Force
countries, willing to cut spending large amounts of $$ on the
on military military
Allow a way for illegal immigrants Treat illegal immigrants as
Environment Immigration
to gain citizenship, make it easier criminals. Supportive of
to become a citizen building a fence along
US/Mexico border
More rules to protect Less rules, ok to drill offshore or
environment. Against offshore anywhere else in US
drilling for oil or drilling in Alaska
vs. Workers
Support more rights for Anti-Union, less rules for
Business
workers/unions. Higher taxes on businesses to follow
business and more rules for them
to follow
23. Party Membership
Democrats Republicans
• Low Income • Wealthy
• Union Members/Blue Collar • Business Owners/CEO’s
Workers
• Men
• Environmentalists
• People who identify
• Minorities
themselves as religious
• Women
• Military members
• Younger voters
• Urban Areas • Older voters
• Northeastern & West Coast • Rural/Suburban areas
States • Western & Southern States
24. 45
Party Membership 40
35
The largest party in the 30
US is the Democratic
Party with 42 million 25
members, republicans
claim 30 million, and 20
independents make up 15
24 million people.
10
Both parties have seen 5
huge dropoffs in
membership since 2008. 0
Democrats
Republicans
Indpendents
25. How Americans See Themselves
Political Party Political Ideology
Democrats Republicans Liberal Conservative
Independents Other Moderate Other
12% 4%
21%
31%
35%
40%
27% 40%
27. Other Options
• There are technically about 50 political parties in the US
you can join. Among the most popular:
• Green Party – A liberal political party with a heavy
emphasis on the environment and on equality and fairness
• Libertarian Party – A conservative party focusing on
eliminating most government services and cutting taxes
• Tea Party – Technically not a party, this is a splinter of the
Republicans focusing on returning the party to its small
government, low spending/low tax roots. Has gained
tremendous popularity and influence in the last 4 years
28. The Primary Process
• In order to choose candidates for political
office, the parties use a series of elections to
determine who gets the nomination.
• Candidates are nominated though either a
primary election or a caucus
• Presidential candidates compete state by state
for points, known as delegates.
29. The Primary Process
Caucus Primary
• Older method, less common • More common type, like a
of the 2 normal election, but you
• Party leaders meet only choose people from 1
privately, debate, and then party
choose the candidates they • Open Primary – You can pick
want to support which party to vote for on
• This is done in election day
towns, counties, districts, a • Closed Primary – You must
nd statewide be a registered party
member to vote
30. Earning the Nomination
• After the primary season (spring), the parties
call a nominating convention in late summer
to officially award the delegates
• Some states award all their delegates to the
winner, while other divide theirs based on the
voting totals (by county, district, or %)
• The winner earns the nomination, picks a VP
and gives a speech to the party faithful
