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Chapter 4: We – the people Politics in the United States: Political Parties Interest Groups and Lobbyists http://access.cappelen.no © 2008 Political Parties – The Electoral System Elections are in single-seat districts Elections are won by a plurality of votes The system forces parties to make coalitions before the election The system discourages sharp ideological profiles http://access.cappelen.no © 2008 Political Parties – The Two Major Parties Democrats support an active federal government and wish to use it Democrats have support on the coasts, in cities, and among the working class and minorities Republicans support ”states’ rights” and want a small federal government Republicans have support is suburbs, rural states, the south and among businesspeople http://access.cappelen.no © 2008 Political Parties – Advantages and Disadvantages The two party system government The two party system consensus politics The two party system citizens’ votes The two party system and movements assures stable encourages wastes many blocks new ideas http://access.cappelen.no © 2008 C.1 Interest Groups and Lobbyists – Aims and Means Interest groups are a way of influencing the political process in America They can be more straightforward, aggressive and ideological than parties PACs are Political Action Committees promoting political causes Lobbyists are professional political operatives who influence politicians http://access.cappelen.no © 2008 Interest Groups and Lobbyists – Advantages and Disadvantages Citizens who are politically active through interest groups are good for democracy It is good that citizens use their freedom of speech and assembly It is worrying that political parties may be undermined It is worrying that politicians may end up representing special interests, not voters http://access.cappelen.no © 2008