History of Political Parties

Jefferson Hamilton

I want to become president to assure thatthe state governments

have power.

I completely disagreewith that. National

Government should havethe most power.

Bring it on!Oh Yeah! Well, you have to get

elected first!

History of Political Parties

I Totally did Not want this

to happen!

Political PartyA group that shares similar beliefs and want

their beliefs to become laws

We believe that the government should

spend more money on the military.

Here is how we make our belief

a reality.

Political Partyrecruit and nominate candidates

We pick a candidate that can get elected to

office and make our belief a law.

Political PartyEducate the voters

Then we educate the voters about how great

our candidate is.

Political PartyHelp the candidates win

Educating voters isn’t free, the best way to

help our candidate is to give him money.

Helping Candidates

Win and Educating

Voters are very closely

connected

Political PartyMonitor actions of office holders

Once our candidate wins, we order him to

do everything we want!

Political PartyMonitor actions of office holders

And if he loses…

We blame America’s problems on the other guy and his

political party

Democratic Party mostly Liberal beliefs Gov’t should help people (high taxes) Gov’t should protect our rights

Republican Party mostly Conservative beliefs People should help themselves (low taxes) Gov’t should enforce traditional beliefs

Functions of Political Parties

Similarities of Political Parties

Nominate/Recruit

Educate voters

Help candidate win

Monitor Office Holders

Difference of Political Parties

Platform

List of Beliefs or Ideology

- Gov’t helps citizens- Tax cuts for middle class- End wars- Pro-Choice- Protect ALL citizens rights

- Gov’t shouldn’t help us- Tax cuts for everyone- Fight Terrorism- Pro-Life- illegalize same-sex marriage

Functions of Political Parties

Similarities of Political Parties

Recruit/Nominate organized to win

Educate voters

Help candidate win

influence policy

Monitor Office Holders

Liberal and Conservative

appeal to the center

Republican

Conservative

Liberal

Conservative

Liberal

CostsA lot of

$$$

$$$ frominterest groups

and PACs

Gov’t = $$$ Not Gov’t for

the people

Gov’t for the people

Third Parties• Introduce New Ideas–Green Party: Protecting the environment–Progressive party: 8 hour working day–Rent is too darn high party: Rent is to darn high

• Sometimes influence the outcome of an election• Sometimes revolve around a personality– Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party

VoterRegistration

Voter Registration

• Before you vote, you must register to vote– Qualifications to vote:• Citizen of U.S.• Citizen of state you’re voting in• 18 years old by Election Day

Voter RegistrationHow to Register:–sign up at:• Registrar’s office• DMV• Library• Gov’t office• print online, and then Mail it

Must Register 22 days before an election

Voter Participation

Highest Election Turnouts

• When there are Big Issues in America– Economy– War

• When the President is up for election

vs.

turnout = people show up to vote

2008 = Presidential Election (purple)2009 = Non-Presidential Election (green)

Why people do note to vote1. Lack of interest2. Failure to register

TO VOTE

Who doesn’t vote• Age– Young People• Not interested

• Education–Uneducated• Don’t understand the issues

• Income–Poor• No time; other worries

Lack of Interest&

Forget to Register

AgeYoung

Educationuneducated

IncomePoor

Why?

Who?

CampaignFinanceReform

2012 Presidential Election Campaign Financing

Interest Groups

• NRA–National rifle association

• NEA–National Educator Association

interest group

NRA

Mitt Romney

interest group

NRA

Mitt Romney

Want GunControl

interest group

NRA

Lobbyists = employees of the interest group

Interest Group

interest group

NRAMitt Romney

interest group

NRAinterest group

NRLCPAC

Restore Our Future

a lot more $$$

PACRestore Our Future

interest group

NRA

Result• All about Money• Money is more important than fixing issues• Money is more important than the People?

Campaign Costs are Rising

vs.

$600,000

$800,000

Winner

Campaign Costs are Rising

vs.

$1,000,000

$800,000

Winner

NextElection

Campaign Costs are Rising

vs.

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

Winner

NextElection

interest group

NRA