Chapter 9 overview
- 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.