 Brainstorm.

Make a list of things that come to mind when
you think of the word
politics?
American identity and Citizenship
• Ideology- set belief
about human nature
and gov’t




Favors a radical or
extreme change.
Quite impatient
would quickly
support a
revolution to bring
about the desired
change.
Often violent

Is ready to move
forward and accept
change but would be
considered a
reformer rather than
a revolutionary.

Like a strong central
government

Equality is a core
value


Share viewpoints of both liberals and
conservatives
Most Americans are truly moderates

Don’t like change

Small government

No government
regulation in business

Value prayer and the
military power

Liberty is a core value



Wants change also,
but wants to retreat
into the past
restore the order of
things the way they
used to be.
Also tend to use
violence

Take some time to fill out the inventory
Statement
A
Statement
B
Statement
A
Statement
B
1.
Liberal
conservative
11.
Conservative
Liberal
2.
Liberal
Conservative
12.
Conservative
Liberal
3.
Conservative
Liberal
13.
Liberal
Conservative
4.
Liberal
Conservative
14.
Liberal
Conservative
5.
Liberal
Conservative
15.
Liberal
Conservative
6.
Liberal
Conservative
16.
Conservative
Liberal
7.
Conservative
Liberal
17.
Liberal
Conservative
8.
Conservative
Liberal
18.
Liberal
Conservative
9.
Conservative
Liberal
19.
Liberal
Conservative
10.
Liberal
Conservative
20.
Conservative
liberal
1.
mascot
11.
Death Penalty
2.
Color
12.
Activity in foreign affairs
3.
Famous Presidents
13.
4.
Liberal or Conservative
Belief in God and importance
of religion
5.
Traditionally strong states
14.
Environmental policy
6.
Marriage
15.
Government size/amount of
regulation
7.
Defense
16.
Social programs like welfare
8.
Taxes
17.
Medicare
9.
Abortion
18.
Health Care
10.
Immigration
19.
Minimum wage

An organized group
of people with
common values and
beliefs who try to
get their candidates
elected to political
office
◦
Not in the Constitution- Washington against
them
◦
First: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs
Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)
◦
D-Rs dominant then split into
Democrats (Jackson) vs Whigs
◦
Slavery issue formed a new
party- Republicans (Lincoln)
II.
Party System
A. Two Party System
1. Our electoral system discourages minor parties
2. Generally align with liberal vs conservative
ideology
3. Form consensus, general agreement, on issues
4. Focus on individuals more than parties

Explain whether each statement is liberal or
conservative and why:
◦ The government provides many good services to
the people of the United States
◦ The government should cut taxes and spending
because it is too “big”
◦ I would prefer to live off of my own money and land
if at all possible
◦ I believe the government should redistribute the
wealth of society
◦ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=namXQJY0HUo
1. Single-issue parties- promote one policy matter
1. Ex: Prohibitionist Party, Right to Life Party
2. Ideological parties- support a political doctrine
1. Ex: Socialist Labor, Communist, Libertarian- limit
gov’t interference, increase individual freedoms
3. Splinter partiessplit from a
major party
1. Ex: Progressive
Party, Green
Party
4. Independent
candidatescandidate w/o
party

Other systems
◦
Multi-party systems





Several major and minor parties exist
Model in Europe and most democracies
Support defined interests of the party, not a
candidate
Coalitions- temporary alliance of groups
Problems: unstable gov’t, no majority

(Dictatorship)
◦
Ex: Communist Party, Fascist party

3 components
1. Party Organization


National committee- representatives from each
states decide focus of party
Raise funds, form consensus, convention
2. Party Electorate- faithful voters
3. Party in Gov’t- elected officials
1. Nominating candidates
2. Form consensus


Platform- a list of all of a parties beliefs
Plank- each part of the platform
3. Bonding agent to
people and ideas
Partisanshipenacting legislation
on the basis of party
and political
ideology
◦

Ex: environmentalists
will likely vote for
generic Democratic
candidate because
they will act on that
issue
4. Watchdog- on
issues and on other
party








Libertarian Party
Green Party
Constitutional Party
Tea Party
American
Conservative Party
National Socialist
Movement Party
Prohibition Party
United States Pirate
Party
1.
2.
3.
Outline the basic
beliefs of each
party you choose.
Give your opinion
on each of the
parties.
What party are they
more similar to?
Democrats or
Republicans?





Party Name (front side)
Party mascot/symbol/picture (front side)
Party Mission Statement: what is your mission
as a party? (Front side)
Party Platform: All of planks listed together
minimum 8 (back side)
5 party plank descriptions: explain what your
planks are (back side)