UEQ: How do citizens influence government?
Political Participation
LEQ: How are political views formed?
EATs3.1
Political Participation
Political Ideology
Political Parties
Two-Party System
Third Parties
Party Platforms
Celebrity quiz: Democrat or Republican?
How do you
know which
political party to
join?
What is the
purpose of
political parties?
Political Ideology
Political Ideology
A set of beliefs about the role of government and what policies government ought to pursue.
LEFT
Center
RIGHT
Liberty (freedom) versus Security (control)
(Theme in Politics/Government)
Ideologies
Conservatism: A set of beliefs that include a limited role of
national government in solving problems. Support traditional
values and lifestyles, cautious about change.
Control Social Issues -- Freedom in Economy
AKA = Conservatives, Republicans, GOP
Liberalism: A set of beliefs that positive government action
can improve the welfare of individuals. Tolerance for
diversity and social change.
Freedom in Social Issues -- Control in Economy
AKA = Liberals, Democrats
Moderate: prefer a "middle ground" regarding government
control of the economy and personal behavior.
Both Republicans and Democrats can by Moderates.
Political Ideology
Freedom
S
o
c
i
a
l
Liberal
Definition:
Moderate
(Centrist)
I
s
s
u
e
s
Govt. Control
(Zero Freedom)
Libertarian
Definition:
Statist
Definition:
Conservative
Definition:
Economic Issues
Freedom
Take the World’s Smallest Political Quiz!
mrmarisgov.wikispaces.com
Where do you fall on the political map?
Plot yourself on your graph!
Political Parties
A political party is an organization of citizens who wish to
influence and control government by getting their members (who
believe the way they do) elected to office. Political parties:
express the voice of citizens
inform citizens
involve citizens in the democratic political process.
recruit and nominate candidates
raise $
support campaigns
provide organization in government
political parties set goals for the government
advocate issues
write party platform and position statements (planks).
are “watchdogs” (keep other parties accountable)
“If I could not go to heaven but
with a party [political], I would
not go there at all” --T. Jefferson
Brief Party History
Federalist party – Washington, Adams, Hamilton
(1789-1800), supported strong central gov.; opposed by
Anti-Federalists.
Democratic-Republican party, Thomas Jefferson
(1800s-1834), opposed strong national gov. and
supported states’ rights. Became Democratic party
1828 (Jackson).
Whig party (1834) opposed democrats and specifically
“king Andrew” (royal tyranny)
Republican party born in 1854 by members opposed to
slavery. Lincoln first Republican President in 1860.
Republican party dominated until 1930s, FDR,
Democrat.
Republican and Democratic parties prevail since 1854.
Two-Party System
U.S. Politics
Red or Blue - Why?
A Republican or Democrat has won the Presidency since 1860.
There are 2 independents out of 535 in the 113th Congress.
There is only 1 Independent Governor in the United States.
PA Government, Third Parties?
Compare the # of political parties in the U.S. with other
Countries:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/fields/2101.html#sw
Two-Party System
1.
Winner Takes All
discourages “spoiler” vote on other candidates not likely
to win
Alternative is “proportional representation” (5% of
votes = 5% of seats in legislative body)
2.
Duality of political issues
Two sides to major conflicts (Fed/Anti-Fed, life/choice)
two-sided debates = no room for third [party] point of
view
3.
Tradition
Republicans (GOP) and Democrats already make up
majority of government members and leadership.
Third Parties
Third Parties also form to support a cause or candidate
Influence elections by winning votes, press issues, often don’t receive as
much financial support.
Few third-party candidates get elected to office
Examples:
Tea Party
Green Party (Ralph Nader)
Reform Party (Ross Perot received 19% of pres. Vote in 92)
Libertarian
Constitution Party
“Bull Moose” (Theodore Roosevelt, 1912)
Progressive
Socialist (Eugene Debs)
Free Soil
Party Platforms
A party platform refers to a political party's formal statement of its basic principles, objectives,
and positions on major issues.
Which parties have the most members???
http://2012election.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004483
2012 Democratic National Party Platform
Party Organization
Both parties have local, state, and national
organizations.
http://www.gop.com/ RNC
http://www.democrats.org/ DNC
http://www.pagop.org/ State
http://www.padems.com/home State
http://yorkgop.com/ Local
http://www.yorkdems.org/ Local
Free Membership (register to vote)
Resources
Video: Brief History of Political Parties
http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/gallery/partyaffiliation2008/
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/political-parties
http://www.theadvocates.org/