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Political Parties: Involvement in Elections and Citizen Participation

Explore how citizens are involved in elections through political parties, campaigns, issues, and the role of two-party systems. Learn about the value of political parties, differences between Democrats and Republicans, and the impact of third parties in American politics.

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Political Parties: Involvement in Elections and Citizen Participation

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  1. CHAPTER 10a “POLITICAL PARTIES”

  2. HOW ARE CITIZENS INVOLVED IN ELECTIONS A. Listening to the Candidates 1. Purpose of a campaign is to bring the issues before the people. 2. Opinion Polls - surveys of voters that reveal what they think about candidates. a. Results of these polls may influence voter behavior.

  3. B. Studying the Issues 1. Most important part of a campaign is the issues. a. What do candidates think. b. What will they do if they are elected. C. The Value of Political Parties 1. They are often called bonding agents (they make a “bond” between ordinary citizens and political parties.) 2. Make sure candidates are fit for office and do their job once in office.

  4. 3. Builds an interest in public affairs. 4. “Watchdog Role” - keeps the public informed about each party’s activities and keeps the party in power from abusing its influence.

  5. POLITICAL PARTIES A. What is a Political Party 1. Political Party - organization made up of citizens with similar ideas on public issues and who work together to put their ideas into effect through government action. 2. Main goal of political parties is to win elections. a. They want control of government b. Set public policies

  6. 3. Most important issue is the role that government plays in the daily lives of people. a. This divided writers of the Constitution. 4. Why join a political party? a. Make your political beliefs be known. b. You agree with a party’s ideas. - Many things can influence your own political beliefs.

  7. 5. 5 Functions of political parties: a. Nominate, or select candidates to run for office. - Candidates - people who run for election at various levels. b. Ensure public officials do a good job. c. Point out weaknesses in government. d. Recommend programs and laws. e. Keep members informed and citizens interested.

  8. TYPES OF PARTY SYSTEMS

  9. A. The Two-Party System 1. Two strong parties control the affairs of government. 2. When citizens participate the system works well. 3. 3 important notes about American two-party system. a. Two parties are over 145 years old. b. They are basically permanent and unchanging. c. Most threats have been short lived.

  10. 4. Why do we have a two party system? a. Most of our settlers were from England. b. There is an agreement on basic ideas. 5. In our elections a candidate must receive a majority of votes. a. Majority - more than half the votes cast. b. Plurality - receiving more votes than any other candidate.

  11. 6. Federalist (Hamilton) - much government control. 7. Anti-Federalist (Jefferson) - government hands off. (Laissez-faire) IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR WASHINGTON NOT TO BE A MEMBER OF A POLITICAL PARTY.

  12. B. Beginnings of the Two-Party System 1. Americans did not totally agree on the way the Constitution should be run. a. This difference in opinion led to political parties. b. George Washington did not belong to a political party but members of his cabinet did. c. Parties began to revolve around Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

  13. C. The Democratic and Republican Parties 1. Andrew Jackson began the Democratic party. (1820’s) a. Believed the federal government was acting to benefit the wealthy. b. Jackson was elected President in 1828.

  14. 3. Republican party was formed in 1854 a. Several small groups apposed the Democrats ideas. b. 1860, Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican elected president. 4. Independent Voters - people who do not belong to or support a single party. 5. Democrats remain the majority party (39%) 6. There are more independents (32%) than Republicans (29%).

  15. DEMOCRATS Greater Ag. supports. Increased government spending. Greater federal aid to education Increase minimum wage laws. Higher corp. taxes More social programs REPUBLICANS Less ag. support Less government spending. State and local responsible for ed. Increase min. wage is harmful for business. Lower corp. taxes Less social programs. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY'S POLITICAL PARTIES

  16. DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS PARTY SYMBOLS

  17. 7. Most Americans consider themselves somewhere between liberal and conservative. a. Liberal - a person who wants society to change and wants the government to act to bring about change in social and economic conditions. b. Conservative - Wants little change in society and government should take a small role in solving economic and social problems.

  18. c. Moderate - neither conservative or liberal political views. “middle-of- 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.

  19. D. Third parties 1. A minor party or a party that does not agree with the two main parties. 2. Membership is usually small. 3. No third party has ever won the presidency.(TR came in second in 1812) 4. If a third party receives a large number of votes it is likely that some of the ideas it supports will be taken over by one or both of the major parties.

  20. a. Major parties want to win the support of third parties 5. Third parties have many legal obstacles. a. They are not automatically placed on the ballot.

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

  22. E. Multi-Party System 1. Many rival parties. 2. Governments are often unstable. 3. One party rarely gets a majority. 4. Ex. Sweden and Belgium. 5. Use proportional representation - number of members you get on the legislature is based on the % of vote you get. F. One-Party Government 1. One party has complete control.

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

  24. B. Parties on the National Level 1. National committee heads the permanent party organization. 2. Members of the national committee may be chosen in three ways. a. State Convention b. Elected by voters c. Chosen by state central committee. 3. Chairperson is chosen by party’s presidential candidate. 4. Sets up the national convention.

  25. C. Parties on the State Level 1. Each major party has a central committee for each state. 2. State central committee supervises the party’s presidential campaign in that state. D. Parties on the Local Level 1. Basic unit of party organization is precinct. a. Precinct - smallest voting district. b. Precinct captain - works for a party and encourages people to vote.

  26. ORGANIZATION OF A POLITICAL PARTY

  27. E. Political Party Finances (Where does money come from.) 1. This has been a hot topic and in need of reform. IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DEVELOP 20 EXPENSES THAT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MAY HAVE. (3 MIN.) 2. Television advertisements and announcements are the largest expense items.

  28. IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DEVELOP 15 WAYS IN WHICH A CANDIDATE CAN RAISE MONEY. (3 MIN.) 3. Donations are a major source. a. Federal Election Campaign Act: -Candidates must give the names of everyone who donates $200 or more. -Limits of $1,000 for primary and general elections.

  29. F. Public Financing 1. Money is available through the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. a. A person can mark a box on their tax form to donate $3 to this fund. b. Candidate must first raise $100,000 on his own. c. Funds are then matched by the Campaign Fund.

  30. d. Third candidates must win at least 5% of the vote before they receive money. e. In 1992 Clinton and Bush received and were limited to spending $55.2 million. 2. If a candidate chooses not to receive matching funds he/she can spend as much of their own money as they want.

  31. 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)

  32. POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS 1. SECTION REVIEW ( PG. 189,195) 2. CASE STUDIES (PG. 51, 52) 3. CHAPTER 10A QUIZ 4. BUILDING YOUR PORTFOLIO (PG. 205) 5. CHAPTER 12 WORKSHEET 6. AMERICAN GOV. WKS. (PG.17,18) 7. STUDY GUIDE 8. LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE ARTICLES. WHO DO YOU SIDE WITH. EXTRA CREDIT (5 PTS.) VOC WORKSHOP, REVIEWING MAIN IDEAS, THINKING CRITICALLY (PG. 205

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