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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Chapter 5 Political Parties Section 1 Parties and What They Do Main Idea: Political parties are essential to democratic government. In the United States, political parties have shaped the way the government works. Today, the major parties perform several important functions without which our government could not function. Section 1 Parties and What They Do Political Party A group of people who try to control government by winning elections and holding public offices The U.S. has 2 major parties Democrats Republicans Parties action link people and their wishes to government Section 1 Parties and What They Do 5 major functions of Political Parties: Nominate Help Inform and name candidate for public office their candidates win elections and inspire the people to participate in public affairs Help to ensure candidates are qualified and of good character Help govern based on partisanship Firm Act allegiance to a political party as watchdogs over the conduct of government keeps a close eye on the party in power Section 1 Parties and What they Do Study Questions 5.1 1. 2. What is the major function of a political party? Which term better describes political parties in American politics: divisive or unifying? Why? Section 2 The Two-Party System Main Idea: The two-party system in the United States is a product of historical forces, our electoral system, and the ideological consensus of the American people. It provides more political stability than a multiparty system and more choice than a one-party system. Section 2 The Two-Party System A 2 Party System 2 major political parties dominate politics Minor parties (those without wide support) also exist The first 2 American political parties arose during the ratification of the Constitution Federalists Anti-federalists Section 2 The Two-Party System Why has the 2 party system lasted so long? Tradition Electoral Single member district elections Voters choose only one candidate for each office Winner receives a plurality Largest number of votes Election system favors a two-party system law tends to discourage minor parties Bipartisan means “2” Section 2 The Two-Party System The U.S. is a pluralistic society Consists of distinct cultures and groups Consensus A General agreement on issues tends to exist “Either for or against” Eliminates need for many parties Alternative political systems: Multiparty arrangement Several major and minor parties compete Usually requires a coalition Union of people with diverse interest to share power Dictatorships have a one-party system Only 1 party allowed Section 2 The Two Party System Study Questions 5.2 1. 2. In what two ways does the American electoral system tend to promote a two-party system? How can the diversity of views represented in a multiparty system be seen as both a strength and a weakness? Section 3 The Two-Party System in American History Main Idea: The origins and history of political parties in the United States help explain how the two major parties work today and how they affect American government. Section 3 The Two-Party System in American History Federalists and Anti-Federalists were the first American political parties 1800, Anti-Federalist, Thomas Jefferson, beat the incumbent Federalist President John Adams Anti-Federalists later became the DemocraticRepublicans Later, just Democrats Section 3 The Two-Party System in American History 4 Eras of one party dominance: 1800-1860 Democrats dominated through a coalition of: Small farmers Debtors Frontier pioneers Slaveholders Mid-1820s they split into factions Faction: dissenting group Section 3 The Two-Party System in American History 1860-1932 Republican The Party controls with support of: Business and financial interests Farmers Laborers Newly freed African Americans Great Depression ended that run Section 3 The Two-Party System in American History The Great Depression saw the return to dominance of the Democrats 1968 The election of Richard Nixon has seen an era in which neither party has dominated politics Section 3 The 2 Party System in American History Study Questions 5.3 1. Which political party was the first to appear in the new United States? Who was its leader and what type of government did it favor? 2. What unusual feature characterizes the present era of American two-party history? Section 4 The Minor Parties Main Idea: Many minor parties have played important roles in American politics. They have provided alternatives to positions of the major parties, and sometimes have affected particular elections and shaped public policies. Section 4 The Minor Parties 4 types of minor parties: Ideological parties Single issue parties Focus on one public policy matter Economic protest parties Based on certain social, economic, or political ideas Appear during tough financial times Splinter parties Parties that have broken away from one of the major parties Most important minor party Minor parties have an impact on politics and major parties Draw attention, through criticism, of neglected or controversial issues Election spoilers Section 4 The Minor Parties Study Questions 5.4 1. 2. Briefly describe the four types of minor parties. Historically, what have been the most important roles of minor parties?