Journal Question #1

• Which political party do you think you identify with? Why?

Political Parties

Chapter 5

The Political Party

• Political Party:– A “group of persons who seek to control

government through winning elections and holding public office

Role of Political Parities

1. nominate candidates

2. inform the people and inspire their interests and participation in public affairs

*take stands on issues

3. serve as a bonding agent

4. serve as a watchdog

Tasks of the Parties

– Parties Pick Candidates

– Parties Run Campaigns

– Parties Give Cues to Voters

– Parties carry out policies

– Parties Coordinate Policymaking

Figure 8.1

The Meaning of Party

Liberal(left) , Moderate, Conservative (right)

The Party in the Electorate

• Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.

• Ticket-splitting

The Party in the Electorate

Party Eras inAmerican History

• Party Eras– Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to

the party in power.

• Critical Election– An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new

coalitions emerge.

• Party Realignment– The displacement of the majority party by the minority

party, usually during a critical election.

Party Eras in American History

• Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.2)

Party Eras in American History

• 1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government– Party de-alignment - disengagement of

people from parties– Party neutrality - people are indifferent

towards the two parties

Party Eras in American History

• Partisan Control of State Governments: 2005 (Figure 8.3)

The Minor Parties

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics

• Political parties other than Democrat or Republican

• Rarely win elections

• Third parties bring new groups and ideas into politics

• Two-party system discourages extreme views

Types of Minor Parties

1. Ideological Parties

2. Single Issue Parties 3. Economic Protest Parties

4. Splinter Parties

Why are Minor Parties Important??

• Can play the “spoiler” role in campaigns

• Are critics and innovators

• Draw attention to controversial issues which majority parties than focus on

Party Organization

• The National Convention * meets in the summer of every

Presidential election to nominate the

Presidential candidate

• The National Committee

* meet between conventions

* have representatives from each state

* headed by National Chairperson

Parties in America

• Period of decline since the 1960’s

• Most Americans dislike political parties

• Believe they should be closely watched and controlled

Understanding Political Parties

• Is the Party Over?– Political parties are no longer the chief source

of information for voters– State and national party organizations are

getting stronger– Majority of people still identify with a party, but

still split their tickets

Creating your own political party

• Decide on a name for your party

• What issues will your party focus on

• Who will be your party’s candidate for President and Vice President

• What will be the symbol of your party

• What is your parties motto

Green Party

President VP

Issue: To get people to recycle and take better care of our

planet

Symbol:

“Its not always easy being green”

Types of Minor Parties

1. Ideological Parties * Based on particular set of beliefs

2. Single Issue Parties * focus on one public policy issue

3. Economic Protest Parties * state their disgust w/ the major party and demand better times4. Splinter Parties * parties that have spilt from one of the major

parties