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Warm-up

Warm-up. What is the role of political parties? Why does U.S. have a two party system? What do democrats believe? What do republicans believe? What is role of minor parties?. Political Parties. History and Functions. Brief History of Political Parties.

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Warm-up

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  1. Warm-up • What is the role of political parties? • Why does U.S. have a two party system? • What do democrats believe? • What do republicans believe? • What is role of minor parties?

  2. Political Parties History and Functions

  3. Brief History of Political Parties • Founders disliked Factions – Federalist #10 • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists • Anti-Federalists become the “Jeffersonian-Republicans” or the “Democratic-Republicans” after Jefferson resigns from Washington’s cabinet in order to organize the party. • By 1816, the Federalist Party is non-existent.

  4. Hamilton v. JeffersonFederalist—Anti-federalist

  5. Brief History of Political Parties • Era of Good Feeling – No opposition to the Democratic Republicans • After the election of Jackson (1828) the “Democratic-Republicans” become the “Democrats” • The National Republicans (Later known as the Whigs) arose during Jackson administration - opposed slavery – lasted until the 1850s. • Former Whigs and Democrats who opposed slavery formed the Republican Party in 1854.

  6. The Era of Democrats, 1800-1860 Only major opponent was Whigs, led by Henry Clay & Daniel Webster The Era of Republicans, 1860-1932 Rise of the party of Lincoln, Democrats relegated to just the South The Return of the Democrats, 1932-1968 Great Depression shifted Americans opinions of what the role of government should be…end of laissez-faire Era of Divided Government, 1968-present Mostly Republicans in the White House with Democrats controlling Congress Four Major Eras of U.S. Political Parties

  7. What do political parties do? • Select, endorse, and support candidates for public office • Produce political programs and scrutinize the other party • Disseminate information by informing supporters • Governing • Can lead to partisanship…what is that? • Acting as Watchdog • Party out of power looks over party in power

  8. Why a two-party system? • Rooted in history – America began as a two party system. • Even though Washington warned against it • Obedience to the tradition • Election rules – single-member districts and winner-take-all elections. (Compare with proportional representation) • American Ideological Consensus • Politically…we are not all that different

  9. Minor Parties • Ideological Parties—those based on a particular set of beliefs • Socialist, Communist, Libertarian Parties • Long-lived but usually gain few votes • Single-Issue Parties—focuses on 1 public policy matter • Free Soil, Know Nothings, Right to Life Parties • Economic Protest Parties—usually arise out of period of economic discontent • Populist and Greenback Parties • Splinter Parties—those that split from a major party • Progressive Party, Dixiecrat Party, American Independent, Green Party, Reform Party

  10. Role of Minor Parties • “Spoiler Role”—pulling votes from major parties to prove their issue is important • 1912 election is prime example • Critic & innovator of major parties • Bringing new issues to the table

  11. Major-minor Parties • Libertarian Party—stresses individual liberty, opposes taxes • Communist Party—wants to restructure the political and economics arenas • Green Party—grassroots activists, environmentalists, social justice • Socialists Labor Party—seeks the peaceful abolition of capitalism • Natural Law Party—hopes to bring the light of science into the political arena • Constitution Party—free pursuance of happiness, not regulation of it • America First Party—promotes Christian beliefs, opposes immigration, and free trade • Prohibition National Committee—advocates national prohibition of sales, production, and distribution of alcohol

  12. Thinkers! • Why does America have a two-party system? • What are the role of minor parties? • How did the Democrats evolve? • How did the Republicans evolve?

  13. If you could start a 3rd party, what would it be?____________________________ Mountain Music Party

  14. Create a 3rd Party! • Make a lists of your political beliefs on one side of a sheet of paper. This is your party platform. • What are views on social issues like: abortion, gay marriage, health care, education, religion, drugs, environment, and/or gun control? • What are your views on economic issues like: Welfare & poverty, the recession (causes & solutions), debt, social security • What are your views on international issues like: Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, terrorism, immigration, trade, foreign policy • Now create a name, symbol, & slogan for your party on the other side of your paper. • Finally, write on the platform side what kind of a 3rd party you created.

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