Chapter 5: Political Parties - HOME
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Transcript Chapter 5: Political Parties - HOME
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Chapter 5
Political Parties
Section 1
Parties and What They Do
Main Idea:
Political
parties are essential to democratic
government. In the United States, political parties have
shaped the way the government works. Today, the
major parties perform several important functions
without which our government could not function.
Section 1
Parties and What They Do
Political Party
A
group of people who try to control government by
winning elections and holding public offices
The U.S. has 2 major parties
Democrats
Republicans
Parties
action
link people and their wishes to government
Section 1
Parties and What They Do
5 major functions of Political Parties:
Nominate
Help
Inform
and name candidate for public office
their candidates win elections
and inspire the people to participate in public
affairs
Help to ensure candidates are qualified and of good
character
Help govern based on partisanship
Firm
Act
allegiance to a political party
as watchdogs over the conduct of government
keeps
a close eye on the party in power
Section 1
Parties and What they Do
Study Questions 5.1
1.
2.
What is the major function of a political party?
Which term better describes political parties in
American politics: divisive or unifying?
Why?
Section 2
The Two-Party System
Main Idea:
The
two-party system in the United States is a product
of historical forces, our electoral system, and the
ideological consensus of the American people. It
provides more political stability than a multiparty
system and more choice than a one-party system.
Section 2
The Two-Party System
A 2 Party System
2
major political parties dominate politics
Minor parties (those without wide support) also exist
The first 2 American political parties arose during
the ratification of the Constitution
Federalists
Anti-federalists
Section 2
The Two-Party System
Why has the 2 party system lasted so long?
Tradition
Electoral
Single
member district elections
Voters choose only one candidate for each office
Winner
receives a plurality
Largest number of votes
Election
system favors a two-party system
law tends to discourage minor parties
Bipartisan means “2”
Section 2
The Two-Party System
The U.S. is a pluralistic society
Consists of distinct cultures and groups
Consensus
A General agreement on issues tends to exist
“Either for or against”
Eliminates need for many parties
Alternative political systems:
Multiparty arrangement
Several major and minor parties compete
Usually requires a coalition
Union of people with diverse interest to share power
Dictatorships have a one-party system
Only 1 party allowed
Section 2
The Two Party System
Study Questions 5.2
1.
2.
In what two ways does the American electoral system
tend to promote a two-party system?
How can the diversity of views represented in a
multiparty system be seen as both a strength and a
weakness?
Section 3
The Two-Party System in American History
Main Idea:
The
origins and history of political parties in the United
States help explain how the two major parties work
today and how they affect American government.
Section 3
The Two-Party System in American History
Federalists and Anti-Federalists were the first
American political parties
1800,
Anti-Federalist, Thomas Jefferson, beat the
incumbent
Federalist
President John Adams
Anti-Federalists later became the DemocraticRepublicans
Later,
just Democrats
Section 3
The Two-Party System in American History
4 Eras of one party dominance:
1800-1860
Democrats
dominated through a coalition of:
Small farmers
Debtors
Frontier pioneers
Slaveholders
Mid-1820s
they split into factions
Faction: dissenting group
Section 3
The Two-Party System in American History
1860-1932
Republican
The
Party controls with support of:
Business and financial interests
Farmers
Laborers
Newly freed African Americans
Great Depression ended that run
Section 3
The Two-Party System in American History
The
Great Depression saw the return to dominance of
the Democrats
1968
The
election of Richard Nixon has seen an era in
which neither party has dominated politics
Section 3
The 2 Party System in American History
Study Questions 5.3
1.
Which political party was the first to appear in the
new United States?
Who
was its leader and what type of government did it
favor?
2.
What unusual feature characterizes the present era
of American two-party history?
Section 4
The Minor Parties
Main Idea:
Many
minor parties have played important roles in
American politics. They have provided alternatives to
positions of the major parties, and sometimes have
affected particular elections and shaped public
policies.
Section 4
The Minor Parties
4 types of minor parties:
Ideological parties
Single issue parties
Focus on one public policy matter
Economic protest parties
Based on certain social, economic, or political ideas
Appear during tough financial times
Splinter parties
Parties that have broken away from one of the major parties
Most important minor party
Minor parties have an impact on politics and major parties
Draw attention, through criticism, of neglected or controversial issues
Election spoilers
Section 4
The Minor Parties
Study Questions 5.4
1.
2.
Briefly describe the four types of minor parties.
Historically, what have been the most important roles
of minor parties?