Chapter 5
Political Parties
5. Pluralistic Society – has several
distinct cultures and groups
6. Consensus – general agreement
7. Multi-party – several major and
many minor parties exist
8. One-party system – one major
party,usually a dictatorship
Section 2 Vocabulary
1. Minor party: less widely
supported political party
2. Two-party system –having two
major parties
3. Single-member districts- only
one candidate is elected to office
4. Plurality – largest number of
votes cast
Section 2
The Two-party System
Why a two party system?
The nation started out with twoparties: the Federalists:
and the Anti-Federalists
Framers felt that parties
were factions and agents
of divisiveness. Thus, the
Constitution has no
provision for Political
Parties
Force of tradition
America has a two-party
system because it always
has had one. Minor
parties, lacking wide
political support, have never
made a successful showing,
so people are reluctant to
support them
Certain features of gov’t,
such as single-member
districts, are designed to
favor two major parties.
People usually choose to vote
for the viable choice,
usually not a minor party
candidate.
Also, American election laws
are shaped to preserve,
protect and defend the twoparty system.
Most Americans have a
consensus on fundamental
matters. Conditions that
would spark several strong
rival parties do not exist in
the United States.
Our nation has two parties
that tend to be moderate
and middle of the road. In
order to win “the vote”, they
usually differ
slightly.
Multiparty Systems
Advantages
• Provides
broader rep.
of the people.
• Responsive to
will of the
people.
• More choices
at the polls.
Disadvantages
• Parties form
coalitions to
win, which
dissolve easily.
• Failure of
coalitions can
cause instability
in government
Only one
party is
allowed
Modified-one
party wins
most elections
50’s,North=Rep
Dictatorships
South=Dem