POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
• Party Systems• History of Political Parties• Organization of Political Parties• Democrats – Republicans• Third Parties• Political Party Platforms• Functions of Political Parties• Political Parties – Choosing Candidates• Liberal v. Conservative• Voting• Elections• Influencing the Government
PARTY SYSTEMS• One Party System – A system in which there is
only one major political party. The party runs the government. (Example – Communism; China, North Korea, Cuba)
• Two Party System – A system in which two major political parties battle for control of the government. (Example – United States; Democrats & Republicans)
• Multi-Party System – A system in which three or more political parties impact elections, and battle for control of the government. (Example – France, Germany, England)
History of Political Parties• Democratic-Republican Party – Thomas
Jefferson – Wanted to limit the power of the federal government – more power to state government.
• Federalist Party – Alexander Hamilton – Wanted a strong national government to protect people’s rights, and solve problems created by a weak government under the Articles of Confederation.
ORGANIZATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
PoliticalParty
Organization
Federal LevelNational committee in
each state hold national convention. Delegates
nominate candidates for President & VP
State LevelEach state has a
committee or organization.
Focus on state offices. (Governor, Lt. Governor,
Attorney General)
Local LevelPrecinct
Organize volunteersDistribute Leaflets
Register Voters
DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS• Democrats – Believe that the government
must be active in solving social problems. This generally leads to bigger government and increased taxes.
• Republicans – Believe that problems will be solved by the government being less active, and letting people solve problems.
THIRD PARTIES• Parties that do not have enough following
to compete and win elections on the national level.
• Third Parties offer an alternative to major parties. They are important because if they gain support, the issues that are important to them will be recognized by the major parties.
• There is no legal barrier to a third party becoming a major political party.
5 Functions of Political Parties• Campaigning for Candidates – help politicians get
elected to office.
• Informing Citizens – help citizens get information about issues, and how government operates.
• Help Manage Government – appoint loyal members to certain jobs.
• Linking Different Levels – provides a link between local, state, & federal government.
• Watchdog – alert public of wrongdoing.
• Primary Election – an election in which the political parties choose candidate for office to compete in the general election.
• Direct Primary – election in which voters choose candidates for political part in general election.
• Closed Primary – only registered members of political party can vote.
• Open Primary – choose party, can only vote in one, do not have to be a registered member.
• Plurality – most votes among those running wins.• Run-Off Primary – if majority is necessary, top (2)
have a run-off• Petition – unaffiliated candidates must get on ballot
by petition. (Ralph Nader)
Political Parties – Choosing Candidates
ISSUES Economy Education Foreign Policy
Civil Rights
Crime Environment
Republican
Supports free market competition.Deregulation and cutting entitlement spending.
Promote school choice/school vouchers and home schooling.
Spread Democracy. Stop WMD proliferation. Peace through strength.
Oppose affirmative action. Oppose gay marriage.
Tough on criminals. Limit gun control restrictions.
Supports privatizing federal land. Believe in cap/trade market based pollution limit
Democrat
Increase taxes to wealthy to cut deficit. Must limit deficit to stimulate economy.
Oppose vouchers. Increase NCLB funding. Lower class size, more teachers.
Support worldwide coalitions and multi-national programs. Support UN.
Support affirmative action. Support civil unions. Oppose same sex marriage amendment.
Support rehabilitation over punishment. Support increased gun control.
Environment over business. Increased regulation of business to protect the environment.
Libertarian
100% free market. Oppose government regulation.
Privatize public schools.Oppose federal government involvement.
Military is used for protection only.
Oppose government mandates. Support equality including marriage.
Decriminalize drugs. Prison should be for violent offenders. Repeal drug laws.
No government regulation.
Green Party
Community based economics. Support locally owned business, oppose corporations.
State & Local control of education. Increase $ to support education & provide equal access.
Nonviolence – military should be used as absolute last resort.
Support equality based on race, gender, etc…
Rehabilitation Crime is a result of lack of opportunity.
#1 issue. Protection of the environment is absolutely vital to future generations.
POLITICAL IDEOLOGYLIBERAL v CONSERVATIVELIBERAL (LEFT)
• Liberals feel the government has a responsibility to solve social problems.
• Liberals think that the government must regulate business to protect society from harmful business practices.
CONSERVATIVE (RIGHT)• Conservatives feel that the
government should be less active.
• Conservatives feel that government regulation tends to decrease productivity and harms the economy.
There are various degrees of being liberal and conservative. Democrats tend to be mildly liberal, and Republicans are mildly conservative. Third parties offer a more radical move to right or left.
VOTINGHISTORY
• White Males 21 years of age or older (early US history)
• Black Males (15th Amendment)• Females (19th Amendment)• 18 Years of Age
REGISTERING TO VOTE• Where? – County Offices, DMV
• What? – Proof of Citizenship, Address, & Age – Driver’s License or Birth Certificate
QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE• 18 Years of age• Resident of state for a specific
amount of time• Citizen of the US• States may deny if you have
committed a serious crime• Cannot vote while in prison
VOCABULARY• Polling Place – location where
people vote• Precinct – a voting district
(geographic area)• Ballot – list of candidates on
which you vote• Returns – counting of ballots• Exit Poll – sample of voters
and how they voted
ELECTIONSELECTION PROCESS
• Declare Intent to Run for Office
• Primary Election• General Election
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION• Primary Election• General Election• Electoral College
CAMPAIGNS• Canvassing – going door to door
getting info out about candidates• Endorsements – using celebrities
& other politicians to gain support
• Advertising & Image Molding – using television, newspaper, radio, internet to portray candidate a particular way
CAMPAIGN FINANCING• Public Financing – Presidential
Election Campaign Fund - &3 on tax form. 3rd party candidate are eligible if they receive 5% of vote in previous election.
• Private Funding – Individual Citizens, Party Organizations, Corporations, Special Interest Groups, PACs, Soft Money
Influencing the GovernmentForming Public Opinion
(4) Sources of Public Opinion • Personal Background• Mass Media • Public Officials • Interest Groups
The Mass Media • Print (newspapers, magazines)• Electronic (radio, television, internet)
Interest Groups• Interest Group – organization that supports a
particular issue.• PAC – political action committee. Raise $ to get
candidates elected.• Lobbyist – person hired by interest group to provide
info and influence politicians.