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What is a Political Party

What is a Political Party. A group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections , control government & influence policies. Theocracy. A government dominated by religion Muslim clergy – Controls the Islamic Republican Party. Communist Come to power by Force Cuba

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What is a Political Party

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  1. What is a Political Party A group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections , control government & influence policies

  2. Theocracy • A government dominated by religion • Muslim clergy – Controls the Islamic Republican Party

  3. Communist Come to power by Force Cuba North Korea Vietnam China Non-Communist Iran Mexico Problems – lack of differences & choices 1 Party Systems

  4. United States Two major parties Republican-elephant emblem Democrat – Donkey emblem Third Party Independent France – 5 party Italy – 10+ parties Problem with so many…Hard getting enough support to control Gov’t Coalition Govt – groups share power (usually unstable) Multi-party

  5. Third Party – 3 Categories • Single Issue – 1 main issue – • Social, Economic or Moral Issue • Ideological – focus on overall change in society rather than an issue. • Splinter Party – splits from one of the major parties (Progressive – Teddy Roosevelt or Reform – Ross Perot)

  6. Impact • Often takes votes from one party. • Many times helping the other party win… • Intentional?? • Unintentional??? • Election of 1992 • George Bush / Bill Clinton / Ross Perot

  7. Party Organization • National, State, Local Offices – staffed with paid leaders and volunteers. • Precinct – local unit • Ward – several precinct that are in the same area to make up a district

  8. Limitations are put on contributions by one group or person … why???? Corporations Labor Unions National Banks Patronage – Favors given to reward loyalty to members. Government jobs, contracts, appointments What are the ethical issues with this? Campaigning

  9. Questions • Do you think unlimited campaign spending can lead to political corruption? • Is the threat to free speech a valid argument for not limiting campaign spending? • Are the wealthy favored in the campaign process?

  10. Historically…How are candidates nominated? • Caucus • Nominating convention • Primary Election • Petition

  11. Caucuses • Private meetings of party leaders • Start at neighborhoods • County • Congressional District • State Level • 19 States use Caucuses today

  12. Nominating Convention • Official meeting of a party to choose candidates for office. • Representatives are sent to next level • Local to • County to • State to • National Nominating Convention • Delegates are chosen to go • Problem - Bosses

  13. Bosses • Powerful Party Leaders • 1900’s – led to primary election due to public reaction to bosses.

  14. Primary Elections – Most Common • Direct Primary – election to select when party members run in general election • Closed Primary – only members of a particular party can vote • Open primary – all voters participate • Governed by state laws – in normal polling places.

  15. Primary Elections • Winners generally do not have to have a majority to win. • Plurality – more votes than opponent to win.

  16. Petition • Filed Petition with a specified number of voters, who have signed to have their candidate placed on the ballot.

  17. Presidential Nominations • National Convention • 50 States • Guam • Puerto Rico • Virgin Islands • District Of Columbia • Task – to select a ticket. • Candidates for President & Vice President

  18. History of Convention • 1800-1824 – leaders met secretly • By 1916 - ½ states chose convention delegates • By 1970’s – women, minorities, young people included as convention delegates. • By 1996 – 44 states included

  19. Today's Primaries • Parties often change rules – States often operate differently. • Democrats primary in Michigan & Florida this year – did not count…why?

  20. 3 Generalizations • A delegate selection process or presidential preference poll. • Either – • Primary winner takes all or • Delegates based on number of popular votes received in primary. • Delegated selected on basis of popular votes. Originally---It was winner take all…

  21. Democrats Use proportional representation. Delegates based on popular vote Republicans Use both Winner Takes all and Proportional Representation So….what does my party use?

  22. Primaries….Criticisms • Take too long – time wise. • Play up personalities vs. positions • Fewer vote in primaries – Possibly not the real picture. • Early winners – capture the media spotlight…sometimes bring in extra $$$

  23. National Conventions • Democratic – Next Week • Republican – 2 Weeks • State Votes – used to be same as electoral votes – now complicated formula. • 1000’s of delegates, spectators, protestors and media

  24. 4 Committees • Rules / Order of Business • Credentials • Approve delegates from each state • Permanent Organization • Selects chairperson • Platform committee • Writes platforms

  25. Platforms • Statement of principles, beliefs & positions. • How to deal with issues. • Planks- individual parts of platforms that often have members disagree.

  26. Finally • Delegate Voting • Roll call of states until majority has been reached. • Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates are officially named • Acceptance Speech - Adjournments

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