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IntroductionWhat are the two major political parties in
America?
Why do parties exist?
Are parties good or bad?
Political IdeologiesIdeologies: A cohesive set of ideas and beliefs
used to organize and evaluate the political world
Conservative: One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market, and a more limited government
Liberal: One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger governmental programs and more market regulation
Two PartiesThe Two major political parties are
Democrats= more liberalRepublicans = more conservative
American Parties are Decentralized
In America political parties are decentralizedThey constitute a loose network or organizations,
groups and individuals who share a party label but are under no obligation to work together.
Example from today’s Headlines
Log Cabin Republicans
Parties and Party Systems
There are three parts of the party organizationParty Organization- A specific set of workers at
the national state and local levelsParty in government- the group of elected
officials who belong to a specific partyParty in the electorate- the group of citizens
who identify with a specific political party
Party in OrganizationBoth Parties have a national committee
National Committee: An American political parties principle organization with representatives from each state
These organizationsRun day to day operationsRecruit candidates and supportersWork to build consensus on major issues
Constituency groupsConstituency: a group of people who support
or who are likely to support a politician or political party
Each party has groups focused on recruiting specific constituencies such as specific racial and ethnic groups, religious beliefs, senior citizens etc.
GOP Hispanics, RNC Women
DNC LBGT Community
Party Brand NamesPart of the National Committees goal is creating
a political “brand”
What do you think of when you think Democrats?Positive connotationsNegative connotations
What do you think of when you think Republicans?Positive connotationsNegative connotations
Party in GovernmentParty in Government- the group of elected
officials who belong to a specific party In Congress the Democrats and Republicans create
formal structures to meet, discuss, debate, assign leadership positions and reach policy consensus on positions
The Democrats call their group a caucusThe Republicans call their group a Conference
Formal StructuresSpeaker of the House- elected leader of the
House
Majority leader- Elected head of party in Power
Minority Leader- Elected head of party out of power
Majority whip- focuses on party unity Information gathering Information disseminationCoalition building
Polarized CongressWhy might a more partisan congress be a
problem?
Would you support a no compromise candidate?
Party CoalitionLook at the Party Coalition Chart
Who are the Major constituency groups for the democrats?
Who are the Major constituency groups for the Republicans?
Party PlatformsParty Platforms: is a list of the values and
actions which are supported by a political party in order to appeal to the general public,
Democrats
Republican
Parties and Party Systems (163-169)
What causes realignment of party systems 168-169 ?
What issues (or potential issues) today do you think could drive a realignment?