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

• 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.

Hamilton v. JeffersonFederalist—Anti-federalist

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.

Four Major Eras of U.S. Political Parties

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

If you could start a 3rd party, what would it be?____________________________

Mountain Music Party

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.