Notes on Political Parties

1. Political Parties

2. What is a political party?
 A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to
nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and
determine policies.
The two major political parties are:
 Democrats
 Republicans

3. Political Party Functions
 Recruiting Candidates:
Find out which people have the best chance of being elected

4. Political Party Functions
 Dispensing Patronage:
Allowing for favors to reward party loyalty
 This include government jobs, contracts, etc…

5. Political Party Functions
 Educating the Public
 Bring issues to the public’s attention

6. Third Parties
 Any party that challenges the two major parties

7. What impact do third parties have on
elections?
 They promote new ideas; if they gain support, the two major parties will
pick up on their ideas
 What difficulties do they face?
Often don’t make it on the ballot of all 50 states
 Often don’t have as much money to campaign