POLITICAL PARTIES

I. PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMSDefinition: Political Party: A Group of people with broad common interests organized to win elections, control government, and influence policies (laws).

A. One-Party Systems: The party is in effect the government.

B. Two-Party Systems: Two major parties compete for power.

C. Multi-Party Systems: Several parties combine to form a coalition. Politically unstable – new elections.

II. MINOR PARTIES (THIRD PARTIES)Third Party: Any party other than one of the two major parties.

Why form? Believe neither major party is meeting certain needs.

A. Types of Third Parties/Minor Parties

1. Single-Issue party:

2. Ideological Party:

3. Splinter Party:

B. Impact of Third Parties

1. Influence outcome of elections by taking votes away from major candidates

2. Promote ideas that are unpopular or hotly debated.

C. Obstacles for Third Parties

1. Difficulty getting name on ballot in all 50 states.

2. Finances

3. Image: must appeal to the entire nation not just one region or group.

4. Winner-Take-All System

III. MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

A. Recruiting Candidates (election vs. issue)

B. Educating the public on important issues

C. “Watchdog” over party in power

D. Reduction of conflict

E. Dispense favors- Reward loyal supporters with jobs and government appointments.

IV. NOMINATING CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE

A. Primary and Caucus

Primary: Narrows the list of candidates from a party for an upcoming election

Caucus: A local meeting in which party members get together to choose delegates for state conventions and express candidate preferences

B. National convention

-Every four years during the summer

-Delegates select a ticket (president & vice-president) that will be on the ballot for the general election in November

C. General Election

-Every four years in November