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Political Parties
Citizenship: American Government
About the Unit
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In the American Government Unit we will be exploring the following
questions:
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What is federalism and how is a part of the United States
Government?
What is the Executive Branch of the United States Government
and what is its role?
What is the Legislative Branch of the United States Government
and what is its role?
What is the Judicial Branch of the United States Government and
what is its role?
What are political parties and what system of political parties
is a part of the United States Government?
What is the electoral process of the United States Government
and how are the States involved in this process?
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Political Parties
Political Party - A political party is an organization of people which
seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the
acquisition and exercise of political power in society or government.
Democracies - Political parties are elected to run a government by the
electorate.
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Multi-Party System - Systems in which more than two parties are
represented and elected to public office. In cases where there are
three or more parties, no one party is likely to gain power alone,
and parties work with each other to form coalition governments.
Example = Germany.
Two-Party System - Systems in which there are two political
parties dominant to such an extent that electoral success under
the banner of any other party is almost impossible. Example =
United States
Single-Party System - Systems in which one political party is
legally allowed to hold effective power. Although minor parties may
sometimes be allowed, they are legally required to accept the
leadership of the dominant party. Example = China
Political Parties in the
United States
Political Parties in
Practice in the US...
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Democratic Party - Founded in 1828 it promotes an agenda that is
“center-left” or “moderate-liberal” on the political spectrum focusing on
partial government control of the economy, social justice, and the
promotion of social and economic equality.
Republican Party - Founded in 1854 it promotes an agenda that is
“center-right” or “moderate-conservative” on the political spectrum
focusing on free-market economics, limited government, strong
national defense, and socially conservative policies.
Current Make-Up of United States
Government by Political party
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Democratic Party
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44/100 Seats in Senate
188/435 Seats in House of Reps.
18/50 Governorships
President (Controls Executive Branch)
Republican Party
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54/100 Seats in Senate (Controls Senate, Legislative Branch)
245/425 Seats in House of Reps. (Controls House of Reps.,
Legislative Branch)
31/50 Governorships