Political Parties in the US
:
Political Parties
• Political Party –
• The U.S. has a two-party system because
there are only two main parties that hold
most of the power
Functions of Political Parties
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Nominates candidates
inform voters
ensure candidates are qualified
help govern in congress and state legislatures
act as watchdogs especially for officials of
other parties
Past Political Parties
• Democratic-Republicans
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Favored a weak federal government with more
power given to the states
Wanted a strict interpretation of the
constitution
Past Political Parties
continued…
• Federalists
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Favored a strong national government
Wanted a loose interpretation of the
Constitution
"Rich Man" Vote
Third Parties (minor parties)
• Rarely win any elections
• However, they can effect
outcome of elections
• They fail due to not
having enough votes on
the ballot, trouble raising
money, lack of name
recognition
Third Parties continued…
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Ideological parties- set of beliefs on social, economic, political issues
Single Issue parties- one public-policy matter; usually short-lived
Economic protest parties- economic discontent
–Populists or “Green Back” Party
Splinter Parties- split from a major party
–“Bull Moose” or Progressive
–Dixie-crat Party
–Green Party
–Reform Party
Examples of Third Parties
• Populist Party (1890’s)
– Farmers and factory workers
that wanted more support from
the government
– Wanted 8 hour work days and
direct elections of Senators
• Libertarian Party (1970’s)
– wanted less financial change
but more social change
• What percentage of the popular vote did the Populist Party
get in 1892? 9%
• If Weaver didn’t run for the presidency in 1892, could the
outcome of the election have been different? No, the populist states
didn't have enough weight in the electoral college for it to make a difference
Examples of Third Parties
continued…
• Progressive Party
– Split from Republican Party
– Led by Theodore Roosevelt
– Caused Democrats win election in 1912
– AKA the Bull Moose Party
– Wanted social and political reforms
– Wanted to end corrupt business in US
• What percentage of the popular vote did the Progressive
Party get in 1912? 27.5%
• If Roosevelt didn’t run for the presidency in 1912, could the
outcome of the election have been different? Most definitely
Independent Parties &
Candidates
• Party forms
around
candidate
because of
popularity
• Example:
Ross Perot
• What percentage of the popular vote did the Ross Perot get
in 1992? 18.8%
• If Perot didn’t run for the presidency in 1992, could the
outcome of the election have been different? Yes, the republicans
would likely win
Party Systems
• US has a two-party system - two main parties
that hold most of the power
• One Party System- Party and government
are the same; jobs in a one party system
include government jobs
– Only one party allowed to run in elections
– Examples- Communist in North Korea &
Theocracy in Iran
Party Systems continued…
• Multi-Party System- More than two parties have power
– Most common in the world
– Hard to win a majority (over 50%)
• Must get plurality – most votes won among those
running
– Sometimes a coalition occurs and parties join
together to get more votes
– Examples
• Canada – 3 parties
• Germany – 5 parties
• Israel – around 20 parties
Political Parties Today in the US
• Republican Party
• Born from dispute over slavery
• Lincoln was 1st Republican president
• Tend to support: Stronger state gov, less
change/more tradition, less taxes on the rich,
less government spending
• Symbol: Elephant
Political Parties Today in the US
continued…
• Democratic Party
• Has roots in Jefferson's DemocraticRepublican Party
• Tends to support: stronger fed gov,
more change, tax rich more, spending
more on gov social programs (welfare)
• Symbol: Donkey
Democrats
Republicans
Right v. Left
• Right = people who hold more
traditional values
• Left = people who support more
change in society
Radical
–Far left
–Call for rapid changes in
government
–May be willing to resort to extreme
methods—including violence and
revolution (Black Panthers)
Liberal
• Government active in social
welfare
• Peaceful, gradual change
• Reject violent revolution
Moderate
• Share viewpoints of liberals and
conservatives
• Tolerant of other’s views
• Prefer the wait and see approach
to change
Conservative
• Favor keeping things the way
they are
• Hesitant about adopting new
policies
• Less government involvement
the better
Reactionary
• Far right
• Look back on the “good ol’ days”
• Can tend to turn to extreme
methods to achieve goals (KKK)