The document discusses the origins and roles of political parties in the United States. It describes how the early Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties evolved from disagreements over the ratification of the Constitution. It also outlines the typical membership demographics of today's two main parties, Democrats and Republicans. Additionally, it summarizes several notable third parties in the US and categorizes them based on their ideological focus or origins.

1. Chapter 5 section 2, 3, 4, 5 Political Parties

2. Party Membership Patterns Democrats – mostly African Americans, Catholics and Jews, and union members.

3. GOP* - white males, Protestants, and the business community. *GOP is common shorthand for the Republican Party. GOP stands for Grand Old Party.

4. 2 out of 3 Americans follow the allegiance to a party based on their parents.

5. Significant Minor Parties Libertarian Party – stresses individual liberty, opposes taxes, government intrusion.

6. Reform Party – Formed by Ross Perot, trade agreements to protect American jobs.

7. Constitution Party – Anti-tax party, pro-life, pro-school prayer, opposes gun control, immigration, free trade, UN, gay rights.

8. Significant Minor Parties con't Communist Party – Communist ideology

9. America First Party – Splinter from reform party, promotes Christian beliefs

10. Green Party – Committed to environment, nonviolence

11. Socialist Labor Party – Marxist party, collectivism

12. Socialist Party – Anti-communist, non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society.

13. Origins of Political Parties Traced back to ratification of Constitution

14. Federalist Party – Alexander Hamilton = worked for a stronger National Government.

15. Anti-federalist – Thomas Jefferson = Limited role for National Government. Later they became the Jeffersonian Republicans or Democratic-Republicans.