This document discusses American political parties and their functions. It explains that the two major parties, Democrats and Republicans, work to nominate candidates, inform and activate supporters through campaigns and platforms, and act as a bonding agent. Additionally, parties help govern by organizing Congress and hold the ruling party accountable through their watchdog function. The document also analyzes why the US has maintained a two-party system due to historical, electoral, and ideological factors.
This article, in conjunction with the one in the last edition of FPTP, seeks to question some of the traditional views of the role of pressure groups in light of the most recent developments. This time the focus will be on the USA.
Slide 11 WestCal Political Science 1 - US Government 2015-2016WestCal Academy
American Leadership Policy Studies (ALPS) is a for-college credit certificate program that teaches the fundamentals of American government. ALPS includes a custom tailored Political Science 1 – US Government course taught in partnership with accredited colleges to assure students receive college credit. The class is taught from the perspective of industry professionals who work in local/state/federal bureaucracies and/or political/union campaigns. This course program may operate at the site of a partnering college or instructor of record who licenses ALPS course materials from WestCal Academy or at WestCal Academy’s main campus in partnership with an accredited college. WestCal Academy
This slide covers the following:
1. Partisanship
2. California Republican Party
3. Democratic Party Of California
4. Major Party Power Distribution
5. How The Masses Perceive The Party
6. Blast From The Past: Wilson Versus Brown
7. Bush In 30 Seconds
8. Campaign Rhetoric
9. Yes On Proposition 8 Campaign
10. No On Proposition 8 Campaign
This article, in conjunction with the one in the last edition of FPTP, seeks to question some of the traditional views of the role of pressure groups in light of the most recent developments. This time the focus will be on the USA.
Slide 11 WestCal Political Science 1 - US Government 2015-2016WestCal Academy
American Leadership Policy Studies (ALPS) is a for-college credit certificate program that teaches the fundamentals of American government. ALPS includes a custom tailored Political Science 1 – US Government course taught in partnership with accredited colleges to assure students receive college credit. The class is taught from the perspective of industry professionals who work in local/state/federal bureaucracies and/or political/union campaigns. This course program may operate at the site of a partnering college or instructor of record who licenses ALPS course materials from WestCal Academy or at WestCal Academy’s main campus in partnership with an accredited college. WestCal Academy
This slide covers the following:
1. Partisanship
2. California Republican Party
3. Democratic Party Of California
4. Major Party Power Distribution
5. How The Masses Perceive The Party
6. Blast From The Past: Wilson Versus Brown
7. Bush In 30 Seconds
8. Campaign Rhetoric
9. Yes On Proposition 8 Campaign
10. No On Proposition 8 Campaign
Presentation developed for a series of lectures on political parties for PS 101 American Government at the University of Kentucky, Spring 2007. Dr. Christopher S. Rice, Instructor.
Slide show prepared for a series of lectures on Political Parties for PS 101 American Government at the University of Kentucky, Fall 2007. Dr. Christopher S. Rice, Lecturer.
1. What they do.
Why t h e re ’ s 2 .
AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES:
NOT AS MUCH FUN AS THEY SOUND
2. WHAT DO PARTIES DO?
What is the goal of the two major par ties?
To win elections
Read p. 116 2nd column: Is this sti l l true?
Five Major Functions
Nominate Candidates
Informing Suppor ters
Bonding Agent
Governing
Watchdog
3. NOMINATING CANDIDATES
-- primary responsibil ity
-- presidential nomination is a
function of the par ties
4. INFORMING AND ACTIVATING SUPPORTERS
-- campaign for their candidates
-- write platforms
Are presidential candidates beholden to
their par ty platforms?
How d o p a r t i es “ i nfo rm” t h e vote r s ?
Adver tising, buttons, bumper stickers etc.
5. -- try to pick good candidates
-- try to make victorious candidates govern wel l
Why?
BONDING AGENT
7. WATCHDOG
-- The par ty out of power holds the rul ing par ty accountable for
their actions.
Does this function ever work against the American people?
8. WHY ONLY TWO PARTIES?
Historical Basis
Tradition
Electoral System
American Ideological Consensus
9. HISTORICAL BASIS
-- no mention of par ties in Constitution
-- star ted with two par ties (Federalist and Anti-Federalists
10. ELECTORAL SYSTEM
-- winner-take-all elections encourage two moderate par ties
-- vote r s v i ew t h i r d p a r t i e s a s a “wa s te d vote ”
11. IDEOLOGICAL CONSENSUS
-- American pol itics played within the 40 yard l ines
-- Both par ties are moderate
How does the size of the US impact its pol itics?
What is the fundamental dif ference between the two par ties?
13. MULTI-PARTY SYSTEMS
-- Most European democracies are multi -par ty
-- Smal ler, more narrow par ties
-- Provide clear choices
-- Par ties must form a coal ition to govern
15. PARTY MEMBERSHIP PATTERNS
-- Par ty membership is voluntary
-- Par ties try to attract as many people as possible
-- Factors influencing par ty membership:
Fami ly
Economic Status
Major Events
Age
Residence
Level of Education
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