Political parties – coalitions of people organized formally to recruit, nominate, and elect candidates to public office; link the public and government officials G154
Decentralization – Power is dispersed, the party is regulated at the state level, and no single individual controls the system G155
Primaries– an election in which party members select candidates to run for office under the party banner; takes place before the general election G162
Major parties- parties that frequently win elections
Political parties – coalitions of people organized to recruit, nominate, and elect candidates for public office; they link the public with government officials G154
B. Seek to get-out-the-vote (GOTV) G170
A. Major parties–parties that frequently
win elections;
1. Majority party–the U.S. major party that has more than
50% of the
registered voters, votes, and/or
available seats
2. Minority party–the U.S. major party with less than 50% of the
registered voters, votes, and/or available seats
1. Became the majority party during the New Deal
2. Supported by many African Americans and
Hispanics, Catholics and
Jews, women, laborers, and people
over the age of fifty. G156
B. Republicans (G.O.P.) Grand Old Party--Lincoln was its first president. G 164.
1.
Founded before the Civil War when it attracted primarily white Protestants. After 1865 received most African-American’s votes.
Was the majority party after the Civil War until the New Deal.
2. The minority party in registered voters since F.D.R. and the
New Deal; supporters are
often white, middle class to wealthy
Protestants G 157
IV. California’s minor parties/third parties
A. Green Party G168, 171
Nominated Ralph Nader; author of Unsafe at any Speed, in 1996 and 2000. Its main focus is environmental protection and social justice.
B. Reform Party G168, 169f, 171
Founded by Ross Perot G168 in 1996 he received only 8 % of the popular vote; however running as an independent he received almost 20% of the popular vote in 1992. Former wrestler Jesse Ventura became one of the few minor party governors when he was elected Minnesota governor G169f
Founded in 1968 in order to end Vietnam War; former Democratic Alabama governor George Wallace was its first presidential nominee.
Founded in 1972 to advocate its ideology of individual liberty by elimination of most laws, including laws about immigration, environment, and business.
Founded in 1992 to advocate the application of the meditation techniques of the Margarita Mahesh Yogi to eliminate social problems.
Founded in 1968 to advocate withdrawal from the Vietnam War; to advocate civil rights and the rights of farm workers. Nominated Dr. Benjamin Spock for vice president in 1972 and for president in 1976.
V. Roles of political parties
A. Developing public policy
1. Parties write platforms, which are statements of
party goals and
specific policy agendas. G 159
2. Republican and Democratic platforms differ greatly. e.g.
Republican
platform supports a human life
amendment to the U.S. Constitution
to outlaw abortion. Democratic
platform is pro-choice. G160
B. Winning elections-
Party organizations offer
candidates training and support, help them raise funds, and encourage voter turnout
on election day (GOTV) G170
C. Organizing the three branches of the federal
government
Parties organize the legislative and executive branches of government. through elections. They then seek to appoint their members to the judicial branch.
A. In single member districts the winner takes all. Only one
legislator serves a
district and a candidate wins with
only a plurality. G166
B. In proportional representation an electoral districts
have a number
of legislative seats assigned to
party candidates in proportion to the
number of votes they receive. G167