Understanding the Role of Political Parties in Government

POLITICAL PARTIES An organized group of people who share basic beliefs about how the country should be run. They share common values and goals and attempt to control government by getting their candidates elected to office by winning elections.

Important Terms Partisan - a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person. Bipartisan - involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties

THE WORK OF POLITICAL PARTIES NOMINATE CANDIDATES INFORM AND ACTIVATE SUPPORTERS ACT AS A BONDING AGENT GOVERN ACT AS WATCHDOGS

Nominating Candidates The party selects candidates and then presents them to the voters. Then they work to help their candidates win elections.

Informing and activating supporters Gain public support, and inspire voters Basically, campaign for their candidates and their views. This is done by educating the public about themselves Mass Media and Interest Groups

Act as a Bonding Agent between the party and the nation Ensure good performance of its candidates and officeholders. Make sure candidates are qualified and of good character If they do not, they may suffer in future elections!

Governing Provide a basis for the conduct of government. Conduct business on the basis of partisanship, making sure their policy stands and support stays high, yet cooperate in our democratic process with other parties.

Acting as a watchdog Because the political party in power controls the executive branch of government, the party out of power must criticize the policies and behavior of the party in power. Play the role of the loyal opposition (oppose the party in power, but stay loyal to the people of the nation.

Warm Up 5/18 1. What is a political party? 2. What is the difference between partisan and bipartisan? 3. List the 5 functions of a political party. 4. When a political party attempts to connect voters with candidates and brings people with like views together it is performing which function? 5. When a political party criticizes the party in powers policies or behavior it is performing which function?

Party Platforms A set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political and social issues.

Example: The Constitution Party We declare the platform of the Constitution Party to be predicated on the principles of The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights According to the original intent of the Founding Fathers, these founding documents are the foundation of our Liberty and the Supreme Law of the Land. The sole purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is to secure our unalienable rights given us by our Creator. When Government grows beyond this scope, it is usurpation, and liberty is compromised. We believe the major issues we face today are best solved by a renewed allegiance to the original intent of these founding documents.

Example Democratic Party: The Democratic Party is committed to keeping our nation safe and expanding opportunity for every American. That commitment is reflected in an agenda that emphasizes the security of our nation, strong economic growth, affordable health care for all Americans, retirement security, honest government, and civil rights.

Party Planks Each Party s platform is broken down into planks , or declarations that speak to each specific issue.

Example: Democratic Party on Civil Rights Civil Rights are not just abstract principles. They represent nothing less than our ability to provide for ourselves and our families and to live free from discrimination or persecution. For decades, Democrats have fought for these values, working to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to fully participate in our society to live in a place where there are no second-class citizens, where each of us can go about our lives without fear of discrimination.

Democrats are committed to Strengthening the Justice Department s Civil Rights Division to better protect voting rights; Enacting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which includes measures prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Repealing Don t Ask, Don t Tell in a sensible way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security; Ensuring civil unions and equal federal rights for LGBT couples, as well as fully repealing the Defense of Marriage Act; Ending racial, ethnic, and religious profiling; and Building a fair and more equitable criminal justice system that provides non-violent offenders a second chance at a rehabilitated life.

Importance Party platforms and their planks are very important to the electoral process; They give the candidates a clear political position with which they can campaign. They give voters a sense of what the candidates believe in, the issues they think are important, and how, if elected, they will address them.

5/21 Warm Up 1. What is a political party s Platform ? 2. What are a political party s Platform Planks ? 3. What types of voter variables might influence party membership?

VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE PARTY MEMBERSHIP INCOME RELIGION OCCUPATION ETHNIC BACKGROUND EDUCATION GEOGRAPHY GENDER FAMILY AGE

SO GOES THE NATION RECAP SOME TACTICS THAT WERE USED TO WIN THE ELECTION. EXPLAIN HOW/WHY THE REPUBLICANS WON OHIO AND THE ELECTION 2004?

Minor Parties (Third Parties)

American Political Parties web search activity

Conservative/Liberal Quiz

Create your own Political Party First take conservative/liberal quiz from earlier in the year again. Get into groups of 3 or 4 based on similar results.