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Parties and elections 2
This document provides an overview of political parties and elections in the United States. It defines key terms like political parties, Democrats, Republicans, primaries, and general elections. It describes the role of political parties in selecting candidates and informing the public. It also explains the differences between primary and general elections and factors that influence how people vote, such as party identification, candidate image, policy choices, and socioeconomic characteristics.
Parties and elections 2
- 1. EN407-313 English for PoliticalScientists Ven.Yota Payutto
- 2. Political Parties and Elections Howdo the people impact whether or not public officials remain in office?
- 3. Learning Targets ICAN: Identify what a political party is Identify existing party affiliations Describe characteristics of each party Explain the influence of political parties in campaigns leading to elections Explain how parties can experience advantages/disadvantages in elections Define general and primary elections Describe the difference between primary and general elections Explain how some candidates can experience advantages/disadvantages in elections Evaluate the activities of a political party in an election
- 4. Learning Targets cont’d I CAN: Identify the opportunities that people have in order to impact the jobs of public officials Define appointments, Electoral College, recall, and impeachment Describe the process for appointments, Electoral College, recall, and impeachment Analyze scenarios in which these processes would be applied.
- 5. Terms to Know Appointments Electoral College Democrat Republican Independent Third Party Candidates Primaries Campaigns Nomination Incumbents
- 6. America’s Two PartySystem Democrats (The Left) Follow a “Liberal” philosophy Believe it is proper for the government to regulate and oversee the economy Ex: insure minimum wage, require that people contribute to retirement savings Do not believe the government should have a say in morality or social issues Ex: no regulations on drug use, abortion practices, or marriages
- 7. America’s Two PartySystem Republicans (the Right) Follow a “Conservative” philosophy Believe that the government should remain “small” in terms of the economy—not get involved Ex: privatized Social Security, no minimum wage Believe the government should regulate morality or social issues Ex: punishment for drug use, laws over marriage practices
- 8. Critical Thinking Basedon what you have learned about America’s two dominant political parties, do you fit neatly into one group or the other? If you had to align yourself with one party or the other, which would you choose? Which types of issues would you disagree with that party about?
- 9. Other Political Ideologies Libertarian Generally agree with Republicans on economic issues Generally agree with Democrats on social/morality issues Bottom Line: Prefer a “small” government--one that does not get involved Populist Generally agree with Democrats on economic issues Generally agree with Republicans on social/morality issues Bottom Line: Prefer a “big” government—one that gets involved
- 10. Activity Step 1:With a partner, make a list of 5-10 issues that affect the United States today. Write down the viewpoint that you believe each of the four different political ideologies would have regarding each issue. Example: Privatized Social Security Liberals: Against Conservatives: For Libertarians: For Populists: Against
- 11. What is aPolitical Party? Political Party: a group of individuals outside of government who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy Form an important link between the citizens and their government
- 12. The Three Dimensionsof American Political Parties The Party in the Electorate Consists of all eligible voters who identify as Democrats or Republicans No dues, membership cards, meeting attendance or registration necessary The Party Organization Group that make rules, raise money and organize conventions, and seek candidates for their party The Party in Government All party members that hold public office Ex: President, Congressmen, Governors
- 13. What do PoliticalParties do? Select Candidates Nomination: a party’s endorsement for a candidate Primary: a preliminary election to choose a party’s final candidate (nomination) Inform the Public Educate the public about important political issues by presenting its views through pamphlets, television, speeches, rallies etc.
- 14. Cont’d Coordinate Policymaking Partyacts as the major institution by which the executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other The President works with fellow party members in Congress to promote the party agenda Run Campaigns Party members work at getting other party members registered, conducting drives for new voters, staff the polling places etc. Raise Money for Candidates Major parties raise millions of dollars during each election cycle
- 15. Critical Thinking What doyou think is the most important role of the political party? Why?
- 16. Third Parties ThirdParties: believe that certain needs and values are not being met by the major parties Most are short-lived There have been several third parties throughout history but most fit into one of three categories Issue-Oriented Parties Ideological Parties Splinter, or Personality Parties
- 17. Issue-Oriented Parties Formedto promote a particularly timely issue Examples Free Soil Party: formed before the Civil War to prevent slavery from expanding into Western territories Prohibition Party: formed in 1869 to try to convince the government to ban the sale and manufacture of alcohol
- 18. Ideological Parties Partiesthat support a particular set of beliefs or a particular political doctrine Example: Socialist Workers Party
- 19. Splinter, or PersonalityParties Develops due to a split with a major political party Usually formed around a leader with a strong personality Examples: Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party Henry Wallace’s Progressive Party
- 20. 2008 Third PartyPresidential Candidates Which of the three types of third parties would these political parties fall under? Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party
- 21. Primary Elections DirectPrimary: an election held within each party (and controlled by each state) to nominate candidates for the general election Used by about 3/5 of U.S. states Closed primary: only registered party members can vote to choose their party’s candidates Open Primary: voters can vote for a party’s candidates regardless of whether they belong to that party *United Streaming
- 22. Critical Thinking Which doyou think is more fair: an open primary or a closed primary? Why?
- 23. General Election GeneralElection: a regularly scheduled election in which voters choose who will hold public office Held in even-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November In Presidential Elections, the Electoral College is used *See electoral college ppt
- 24. Campaign-Financing Laws Congresspassed the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) in 1971-Further amendments were made in 1974 Attempted to solve problems in the ways political campaigns were financed Restricted the amount that could be spent on advertising Requires contributions over $100 to be revealed to the public Allowed government funding for primary and general elections Prohibits Donations directly from Corporations, Labor Unions, National Banks etc. Cash Contributions over $100
- 25. PACs PACs: PoliticalAction Committees Established by and represent the interests of Corporations Labor unions Special interest groups Raise money and give donations to campaigns on behalf of the group they represent To be legitimate: must come from at least 50 volunteer donors and must be given to at least 5 candidates in the national elections OpenSecrets.org: http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.php? party=R&cycle=2010
- 26. Why People Voteas They Do Party Identification Acts as a general guide to voter’s choices Influenced by: Family Age Peer groups Becoming less and less prominent in predicting voter choices
- 27. Critical Thinking Doyou think you’re current party identification is most influenced by your family, peers or age? What do you think the average voter is most influenced by?
- 28. Candidates Image Voters often base decisions on their impression of a candidate rather than his/her actual qualifications Positive images in history: Nixon: positive Negative images in history: Adlai Stevenson: too intellectual, out of touch Barry Goldwater: too aggressive/warmongering
- 29. Policy Choices Policy voting occurs when people vote for candidates who share their stand on issues Usually economic issues have the greatest influence on voters decisions If the economy is doing well, the incumbent is more difficult to defeat Other important policy decisions include foreign-policy issues (War) and environmental issues
- 30. Socioeconomic Factors Age Younger=generally more liberal Gender Women=more likely than men to vote Democrat Education The more education received=more likely to vote Occupation and Income White collar workers=more likely to vote Republican Blue collar workers=more likely to vote Democrat Religion and Ethnic Background African-Americans=more likely to vote Democrat Geographic Region Changes throughout history Currently: South=more likely to vote Republican New England=more likely to vote Democrat