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Development of PartiesLesson 1 lecture

Parties and Party SystemsPolitical Party is a group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and influence government policies.Parties represent a broad point of view of a group.One party rule usually means other points of view are not welcome in a country.Multiparty rule usually means there is an ongoing debate about the current issues.

Origin of Political Parties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqm8B21RI7sOne-Party SystemsIn a one-party system, the party controls the government.Usually found in governments with authoritarian governments.It can exist in communist governments along with others.Theocracy is a government dominated by religion.What are the consequences of one-party rule?

Multiparty SystemsMultiparty systems are usually in countries that are democratic and allow more than one party to control the government.Ideologies are the basic belief about government by multiple political parties.Coalition government is where several parties often combine forces to obtain a majority.

Growth of American PartiesPresident George Washington warned that political parties may have harmful effects on the country.The public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, andmeasures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority. 4th President James Madison, 1787.

Growth of American Parties (cont)Parties Before the Civil WarFederalists Democratic-RepublicansWhigsParties After the Civil WarRepublicansDemocratsParties in the Great Depression and AfterRepublicans DemocratsProgressivesThe Role of Minor PartiesDespite the dominance of Democrats and Republicans, third parties have always been part of the American political system.A third party is any party other than one of the two major parties

Types of Third (Minor) Parties

Single-issue party focuses exclusively on major social, economic, or moral issue. JIdeological party focuses on overall change in society rather than on an issue.Splinter party splits away from one of the major parties because of some disagreement. Most notable was the Bull Moose Party. However, it disappeared after Ted Roosevelt lost the 1912 presidential election.Impact of Third PartiesThird parties can influence the outcome of a national election.In 1968, American Independent Party won 13.5% of the vote, which swayed the narrow election of Republican candidate Richard Nixon.Ross Perots independent candidacy may have helped Democratic candidate Bill Clinton win in both 1992 and 1996.They often promote ideas that were viewed as unpopular.Other notable 3rd parties: Green Party, Peace & Freedom Party, Socialist Workers Party.How did Ross Perot help Bill Clinton win the both of his presidential elections?Obstacles to Third PartiesDifficult for third parties to appear on the ballot in all 50 states unlike Democrats and Republicans where they are automatically on the ballot most of the time. Because there is only one winner in single-member districts, a Democrat or Republican almost always wins.Proportional RepresentationThird parties have difficulty fundraising unlike the two major parties. Are third parties good for democracy?QuestionWhy do third parties in US politics matter if they never win?