THE FUNCTIONS OF
POLITICAL PARTIES
“I have already intimated to you the danger of
parties in the State…. Let me now take a more
comprehensive view, and warn you in the most
solemn manner against the baneful effects of the
spirit of party generally “…It serves always to
distract the public councils and enfeeble the public
administration. It agitates the community with illfounded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the
animosity of one part against another, foments
occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door
to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a
facilitated access to the government itself through
the channels of party passions….–
__________ _________________
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=15&page=transcript
- Is this politician’s perspective on political parties
viable today OR out dated?
AMERICAN HISTORY OF
POLITICAL PARTIES
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Formation of parties (1789 – 1816)
◦ First parties - __________ & ____________
Era of One Party Rule (1816-1828)
Jackson to the eve of the Civil War (1828-_______
)
Civil War to post – Civil war (1856-1896)
___________ascendancy (Prog. Period) (18961932)
New Deal / __________ rule (1932-1968)
Modern period (1968 – present) Rise of
_____________
The number of voters who
register independent has
increased…
-Over ______ of U.S. voters are
registered “INDEPENDENT”, the
highest % in over _____ years

WHY?
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IS THIS A GOOD OR A BAD SIGN FOR
AMERICAN POLITICS?
WHAT FUNCTIONS DO
POLITICAL PARTIES PERFORM?
-Identify & define each of the 5 functions of political parties.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Write a five line letter to this author
explaining why political parties are
necessary in American society today OR
why his speech was so prophetic for
American politics.
FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

RANK 1-5 (1being most important), the most
important functions of political parties in the United
States.

What are some “_____________” (unintended
consequence) functions of political parties in the U.S.?
◦ Examples-
JESSE VENTURA
Former Navy SEAL and WWE
Professional Wrestler
 Won Governor of Minnesota in 1996
under the Reform Party (highest
elected official ever from that minor
party)
 Author of, DemoCRIPS and
ReBLOODlicans

WHY DO WE HAVE A 2 PARTY
SYSTEM?
1.
TRADITION
2.
AMERICAN IDEOLOGY CONSENSUS –
3.
ELECTORAL SYSTEM
◦ Plurality –
◦ Single Member District –
◦ Winner Take All –
HOW DO THESE REASONS SUPPORT A 2 PARTY SYSTEM
IN THE UNITED STATES?
MINOR PARTIES - HOMEWORK
Constitution Party (constitutionparty.com)
 Reform Party (reformparty.org)
 Libertarian Party (lp.org)
 Green Party (gp.org)
PLEASE DO:
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Spend 10-15 minutes checking through ‘the issues/platforms’ of
minor parties and their candidates.
Give one reason why any of these minor party candidates should
AND one reason why they should not be more involved in political
media coverage.
Is a vote for a minor party candidate who has little/no chance of
winning a wasted vote? Explain.
(one par. each – at least 5 CS / typed per paragraph)
IS A VOTE FOR A MINOR PARTY
CANDIDATE A WASTED VOTE?
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What would you do? Why?
◦ Candidate A – not your party affiliation & not
addressing issues to your approval
◦ Candidate B – your party affiliation but not
addressing issues to your approval
◦ Candidate C – fits your political stance (will address
issues) but not supported by a major party
What is THE ONE BIG difference b/w major parties (R
& D) and minor parties?
Why would minor parties say you are NOT wasting a
vote?
WHY DO WE HAVE A 2 PARTY
SYSTEM?
Read Chapter 5, Section 2 on the Two Party
System.
 In your notes, identify and explain the reasons
why we have a two party system
______________________________________________________
Work in groups of 3 or 4
 Create a visual (no words) describing why we
should keep or change the TWO PARTY
SYSTEM (the alternative would be a ‘multiparty system)
 Extra credit points awarded Friday to the “Most
Creative” and “Most Informative” visuals
 Visuals should be handed in at end of the period
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