CHAPTER 10a “POLITICAL PARTIES”

HOW ARE CITIZENS INVOLVED IN ELECTIONS

A. Listening to the CandidatesA. Listening to the Candidates

1. Purpose of a campaign is to bring the 1. Purpose of a campaign is to bring the

issues before the people.issues before the people.

2. Opinion Polls - surveys of voters that 2. Opinion Polls - surveys of voters that

reveal what they think about reveal what they think about

candidates.candidates.

a. Results of these polls may influence a. Results of these polls may influence

voter behavior.voter behavior.

B. Studying the IssuesB. Studying the Issues

1. Most important part of a campaign is 1. Most important part of a campaign is

the issues.the issues.

a. What do candidates think.a. What do candidates think.

b. What will they do if they are elected.b. What will they do if they are elected.

C. The Value of Political PartiesC. The Value of Political Parties

1. They are often called bonding agents 1. They are often called bonding agents

(they make a “bond” between ordinary (they make a “bond” between ordinary

citizens and political parties.)citizens and political parties.)

2. Make sure candidates are fit for office 2. Make sure candidates are fit for office

and do their job once in office.and do their job once in office.

3. Builds an interest in public affairs.3. Builds an interest in public affairs.

4. “Watchdog Role” - keeps the public 4. “Watchdog Role” - keeps the public

informed about each party’s activities informed about each party’s activities

and keeps the party in power from and keeps the party in power from

abusing its influence.abusing its influence.

POLITICAL PARTIESA. What is a Political PartyA. What is a Political Party

1. Political Party - organization made up 1. Political Party - organization made up

of citizens with similar ideas on of citizens with similar ideas on public public

issues and who work together to put issues and who work together to put

their ideas into effect through their ideas into effect through

government action.government action.

2. Main goal of political parties is to win 2. Main goal of political parties is to win

elections.elections.

a. They want control of governmenta. They want control of government

b. Set public policiesb. Set public policies

3. Most important issue is the role that 3. Most important issue is the role that

government plays in the daily lives government plays in the daily lives

of people.of people.

a. This divided writers of the a. This divided writers of the

Constitution.Constitution.

4. Why join a political party?4. Why join a political party?

a. Make your political beliefs be a. Make your political beliefs be

known.known.

b. You agree with a party’s ideas.b. You agree with a party’s ideas.

- Many things can influence your - Many things can influence your

own political beliefs.own political beliefs.

5. 5 Functions of political parties:5. 5 Functions of political parties:

a. Nominate, or select candidates to a. Nominate, or select candidates to

run for office.run for office.

- Candidates - people who run for - Candidates - people who run for

election at various levels.election at various levels.

b. Ensure public officials do a good b. Ensure public officials do a good

job.job.

c. Point out weaknesses in c. Point out weaknesses in

government.government.

d. Recommend programs and laws.d. Recommend programs and laws.

e. Keep members informed and e. Keep members informed and

citizens interested.citizens interested.

TYPES OF PARTY SYSTEMS

A. The Two-Party System A. The Two-Party System

1. Two strong parties control the affairs 1. Two strong parties control the affairs

of government.of government.

2. When citizens participate the system 2. When citizens participate the system

works well.works well.

3. 3 important notes about American 3. 3 important notes about American

two-party system.two-party system.

a. Two parties are over 145 years old.a. Two parties are over 145 years old.

b. They are basically permanent and b. They are basically permanent and

unchanging.unchanging.

c. Most threats have been short lived.c. Most threats have been short lived.

4. Why do we have a two party system?4. Why do we have a two party system?

a. Most of our settlers were from a. Most of our settlers were from

England.England.

b. There is an agreement on basic b. There is an agreement on basic ideas.ideas.

5. In our elections a candidate must 5. In our elections a candidate must

receive a majority of votes.receive a majority of votes.

a. Majority - more than half the votes a. Majority - more than half the votes

cast.cast.

b. Plurality - receiving more votes than b. Plurality - receiving more votes than

any other candidate.any other candidate.

6. Federalist (Hamilton) - much government 6. Federalist (Hamilton) - much government

control.control.

7. Anti-Federalist (Jefferson) - government 7. Anti-Federalist (Jefferson) - government

hands off. (Laissez-faire)hands off. (Laissez-faire)

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR WASHINGTON NOT TO BE A WASHINGTON NOT TO BE A MEMBER OF A POLITICAL PARTY.MEMBER OF A POLITICAL PARTY.

B. Beginnings of the Two-Party SystemB. Beginnings of the Two-Party System

1. Americans did not totally agree on the 1. Americans did not totally agree on the

way the Constitution should be run.way the Constitution should be run.

a. This difference in opinion led toa. This difference in opinion led to

political parties.political parties.

b. George Washington did not belong b. George Washington did not belong

to a political party but members of to a political party but members of

his cabinet did.his cabinet did.

c. Parties began to revolve around c. Parties began to revolve around

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Thomas Jefferson and Alexander

Hamilton. Hamilton.

C. The Democratic and Republican PartiesC. The Democratic and Republican Parties

1. Andrew Jackson began the Democratic 1. Andrew Jackson began the Democratic

party. (1820’s)party. (1820’s)

a. Believed the federal government a. Believed the federal government

was acting to benefit the wealthy.was acting to benefit the wealthy.

b. Jackson was elected President in b. Jackson was elected President in

1828.1828.

3. Republican party was formed in 18543. Republican party was formed in 1854

a. Several small groups apposed the a. Several small groups apposed the

Democrats ideas.Democrats ideas.

b. 1860, Abraham Lincoln was the first b. 1860, Abraham Lincoln was the first

Republican elected president.Republican elected president.

4. Independent Voters - people who do not 4. Independent Voters - people who do not

belong to or support a single party.belong to or support a single party.

5. Democrats remain the majority party 5. Democrats remain the majority party

(39%)(39%)

6. There are more independents (32%) 6. There are more independents (32%)

than Republicans (29%).than Republicans (29%).

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY'S POLITICAL PARTIES

DEMOCRATSDEMOCRATS Greater Ag. supports.Greater Ag. supports. Increased government Increased government

spending.spending. Greater federal aid to Greater federal aid to

educationeducation Increase minimum Increase minimum

wage laws.wage laws. Higher corp. taxesHigher corp. taxes More social programsMore social programs

REPUBLICANSREPUBLICANS Less ag. supportLess ag. support Less government Less government

spending.spending. State and local State and local

responsible for ed.responsible for ed. Increase min. wage is Increase min. wage is

harmful for business.harmful for business. Lower corp. taxesLower corp. taxes Less social programs.Less social programs.

PARTY SYMBOLS

DEMOCRATSDEMOCRATS REPUBLICANSREPUBLICANS

7. Most Americans consider themselves 7. Most Americans consider themselves

somewhere between liberal and somewhere between liberal and

conservative.conservative.

a. Liberal - a person who wants society to a. Liberal - a person who wants society to

change and wants the government to change and wants the government to

act to bring about change in social and act to bring about change in social and

economic conditions.economic conditions.

b. Conservative - Wants little change in b. Conservative - Wants little change in

society and government should take a society and government should take a

small role in solving economic and small role in solving economic and

social problems.social problems.

c. Moderate - neither conservative or c. Moderate - neither conservative or

liberal political views. “middle-of-liberal political views. “middle-of-

the-road”the-road”

WHERE DO YOU STAND WHEN IT COMES TO A PARTY. DISCUSS IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS AND THAN WE’LL GIVE YOU A TEST TO FIND OUT.

D. Third partiesD. Third parties

1. A minor party or a party that does not 1. A minor party or a party that does not

agree with the two main parties.agree with the two main parties.

2. Membership is usually small.2. Membership is usually small.

3. No third party has ever won the 3. No third party has ever won the

presidency.(TR came in second in presidency.(TR came in second in 1812)1812)

4. If a third party receives a large number 4. If a third party receives a large number

of votes it is likely that some of the of votes it is likely that some of the

ideas it supports will be taken over by ideas it supports will be taken over by

one or both of the major parties.one or both of the major parties.

a. Major parties want to win the support a. Major parties want to win the support

of third partiesof third parties

5. Third parties have many legal obstacles.5. Third parties have many legal obstacles.

a. They are not automatically placed on a. They are not automatically placed on

the ballot.the ballot.

WHAT EVENTS IN U.S. HISTORY HAVE LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POLITICAL PARTIES

E. Multi-Party SystemE. Multi-Party System

1. Many rival parties.1. Many rival parties.

2. Governments are often unstable.2. Governments are often unstable.

3. One party rarely gets a majority.3. One party rarely gets a majority.

4. Ex. Sweden and Belgium.4. Ex. Sweden and Belgium.

5. Use proportional representation - 5. Use proportional representation -

number of members you get on the number of members you get on the

legislature is based on the % of vote legislature is based on the % of vote

you get.you get.

F. One-Party GovernmentF. One-Party Government

1. One party has complete control.1. One party has complete control.

POLITICAL PARTY ORGANIZATION A. Candidates and the PartyA. Candidates and the Party 1. Candidates success depends on the 1. Candidates success depends on the support from the party.support from the party. 2. Candidates are often vague in 2. Candidates are often vague in describing what their ideas are.describing what their ideas are.

B. Parties on the National LevelB. Parties on the National Level

1. National committee heads the 1. National committee heads the

permanent party organization.permanent party organization.

2. Members of the national committee 2. Members of the national committee

may be chosen in three ways.may be chosen in three ways.

a. State Conventiona. State Convention

b. Elected by votersb. Elected by voters

c. Chosen by state central committee.c. Chosen by state central committee.

3. Chairperson is chosen by party’s 3. Chairperson is chosen by party’s

presidential candidate.presidential candidate.

4. Sets up the national convention.4. Sets up the national convention.

C. Parties on the State LevelC. Parties on the State Level

1. Each major party has a central committee 1. Each major party has a central committee

for each state.for each state.

2. State central committee supervises the 2. State central committee supervises the

party’s presidential campaign in that party’s presidential campaign in that

state.state.

D. Parties on the Local LevelD. Parties on the Local Level

1. Basic unit of party organization is 1. Basic unit of party organization is

precinct.precinct.

a. Precinct - smallest voting district.a. Precinct - smallest voting district.

b. Precinct captain - works for a party b. Precinct captain - works for a party

and encourages people to vote.and encourages people to vote.

ORGANIZATION OF A POLITICAL PARTY

NATIONALCOMMITTEE

STATECOMMITTEE

County or CityCommitteesPrecinct Com.

Candidates forPresident andVice-Pres.

Candidates forgovernor andother stateofficers.

Candidates forlocal office

E. Political Party Finances (Where does E. Political Party Finances (Where does

money come from.)money come from.)

1. This has been a hot topic and in need 1. This has been a hot topic and in need

of reform.of reform.

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DEVELOPIN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DEVELOP

20 EXPENSES THAT A POLITICAL 20 EXPENSES THAT A POLITICAL

CAMPAIGN MAY HAVE. (3 MIN.)CAMPAIGN MAY HAVE. (3 MIN.)

2. Television advertisements and 2. Television advertisements and

announcements are the largest announcements are the largest

expense items.expense items.

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DEVELOPIN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DEVELOP

15 WAYS IN WHICH A CANDIDATE 15 WAYS IN WHICH A CANDIDATE

CAN RAISE MONEY. (3 MIN.)CAN RAISE MONEY. (3 MIN.)

3. Donations are a major source.3. Donations are a major source.

a. Federal Election Campaign Act:a. Federal Election Campaign Act:

-Candidates must give the names -Candidates must give the names

of everyone who donates $200 or of everyone who donates $200 or

more.more.

-Limits of $1,000 for primary and -Limits of $1,000 for primary and

general elections.general elections.

F. Public FinancingF. Public Financing

1. Money is available through the 1. Money is available through the

Presidential Election Campaign Fund.Presidential Election Campaign Fund.

a. A person can mark a box on their a. A person can mark a box on their

tax form to donate $3 to this fund.tax form to donate $3 to this fund.

b. Candidate must first raise $100,000 b. Candidate must first raise $100,000

on his own.on his own.

c. Funds are then matched by the c. Funds are then matched by the

Campaign Fund.Campaign Fund.

d. Third candidates must win at least d. Third candidates must win at least

5% of the vote before they receive 5% of the vote before they receive

money.money.

e. In 1992 Clinton and Bush received e. In 1992 Clinton and Bush received

and were limited to spending $55.2 and were limited to spending $55.2

million.million.

2. If a candidate chooses not to receive 2. If a candidate chooses not to receive

matching funds he/she can spend as much matching funds he/she can spend as much

of their own money as they want.of their own money as they want.

AS WE SAID BEFORE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS A HOT TOPIC. MANY PEOPLE FEEL THAT CANDIDATES ARE ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR FAVORS. IF THIS IS TRUE DISCUSS IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS HOW YOU WOULD CHANGE FINANCING?? (5 MIN)

POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS1. SECTION REVIEW ( PG. 189,195)1. SECTION REVIEW ( PG. 189,195)

2. CASE STUDIES (PG. 51, 52)2. CASE STUDIES (PG. 51, 52)

3. CHAPTER 10A QUIZ3. CHAPTER 10A QUIZ

4. BUILDING YOUR PORTFOLIO 4. BUILDING YOUR PORTFOLIO

(PG. 205)(PG. 205)

5. CHAPTER 12 WORKSHEET5. CHAPTER 12 WORKSHEET

6. AMERICAN GOV. WKS. (PG.17,18)6. AMERICAN GOV. WKS. (PG.17,18)

7. STUDY GUIDE7. STUDY GUIDE

8. LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE 8. LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE ARTICLES. WHO DO YOU SIDE ARTICLES. WHO DO YOU SIDE WITH.WITH.

EXTRA CREDIT (5 PTS.)EXTRA CREDIT (5 PTS.)

VOC WORKSHOP, REVIEWING MAIN VOC WORKSHOP, REVIEWING MAIN IDEAS, THINKING CRITICALLY IDEAS, THINKING CRITICALLY

(PG. 205(PG. 205