Parties, Interest Groups and the Media
Name__________________________AM/PM
Notes
Political
Perspectives
Political
Parties
Summarize
1. Groups of people who seek to control government through the winning of
elections and the holding of public offices
2. Responsibilities of Political Parties
a. Nominate Candidates
b. Inform the public to be active participants
c. Take stands on issues that will attract voters but
will offend voters.
d. The party out of power is a watchdog for the
public. They criticize the
policies and behaviors of the party IN power
3. Two Party System – only the Republicans or the Democrats have a reasonable
chance of winning
Liberalism/
Democrats
political orientation that favors progress and
reform
Conservatism/
Republicans
1. The inclination in
politics to maintain the
existing or traditional
order.
2.Typically opposes
sudden change in the
established order.
Minor Parties
1. Ideological parties based on a particular set of beliefs
a. Socialists
b. Communists
2. Single issues parties – only have one issue that concerns them – they typically go
away after a short period of time because people are no longer interested in the
issue.
a. Know Nothings – opposed Irish Catholic immigration (1850’s)
b. Right to Life Party – Oppose abortion
c. Green Party – Oppose pollution
3. Importance of minor parties
a. Play the “spoiler role” by stealing votes away from the major parties
b. Introduces issues that people don’t want to talk about: women’s suffrage,
abortion, etc
Progressivism
Against corrupt business and corrupt politics - 1912 Progressive
Party Platform started by Theodore Roosevelt – was against
Monopolies. Definition: A situation in which a single company owns all or
nearly all of the market for a given type of product or service
Libertarianism: The political platform of the Libertarian Party
favors laissez-faire government, strong civil liberties, and nonintervention in foreign policy that respects freedom of trade and
travel to all foreign countries.
Influence of
Interest Groups
1.
2.
3.
4.
Raise interest about issues of concern
Stimulate the public to do something
Promote policies they favor
Oppose policies they view as a threat
Lobbyist
Someone who tries to persuade
Congressional leaders to vote for
bills the lobbyist is for.
Mass Media
PAC
Political Action Committees
1. Raise and Spend money during an election
2. Try to defeat the party in office
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