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Political Parties. What is a political party?. A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office 2 major parties in American politics: Democrat and Republican, but there are others. What do political parties do? .
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What is a political party? • A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office • 2 major parties in American politics: Democrat and Republican, but there are others
What do political parties do? • Nominate Candidates • -select candidates for voters to choose from to represent them • Inform and activate supporters • -inspire interest and participation in govt. • Bonding Agent Function • - ensures good performance of their candidates • Govern • -govern the people • Act as a watchdog • - watch over the conduct of the people’s business
Beginning of Parties in America • First 2 parties were Federalists and Anti-Federalists • Federalist party became the Democrat- Republican Party, it then later split • 2 main parties in the United States are the Democratic and Republican parties
Democratic Party • Founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson • Began as a group of small farmers, debtors, frontier pioneers • Democratic presidents: Obama, Clinton, FDR, JFK • Party mascot is the donkey • States that win the democratic vote are called “blue” states
Republican Party • Founded in 1854 by Alexander Hamilton • Supported by business and financial interests, farmers and laborers • Republican Presidents- Bush, Reagan, Nixon, Lincoln, McKinley, Roosevelt • Party mascot is the elephant • States that win the republican vote are called “red” states
Minor Parties • Sometimes called “Third Parties” • Created to promote ideas for those who do not have the same beliefs as the Democrats or Republicans • Examples of Minor Parties: • - Libertarians (favor limited govt) • - Socialist (promote group ownership and distribution of wealth) • - Socialist Labor Party (workers control business) • - American Independent Party
4 types of Minor Parties • Ideological Party- based on popular set of beliefs ex: Socialist Labor/Worker parties • Single Issue Party- focus on one public-policy matter ex: Free Soil Party • Economic Protest Party- proclaim their disgust with major parties and demand better times, focus on enemies as the monetary system or foreign imports • Splinter Party- split away from the major parties ex. American Independent Party
What is their influence and are they successful? • They hold beliefs that major parties do not support • Brings attention to the minor parties • They have not been very successful • Do not have the money and advertising that the other parties have • Usually only stand for one issue