CramX Logo
RegisterLog in

American Government - Political Parties

This document provides study materials related to American Government - Political Parties. It may include explanations, summarized notes, examples, or practice questions designed to help students understand key concepts and review important topics covered in their coursework.

Students studying Art or related courses can use this material as a reference when preparing for assignments, exams, or classroom discussions. Resources on CramX may include study notes, exam guides, solutions, lecture summaries, and other academic learning materials.

Maria
Contributor
4.6
47
3 days ago
Preview (5 of 14 Pages)
100%
Log in to unlock

Page 1

American Government - Political Parties - Page 1 preview image

Loading page ...

Study GuideAmerican Government–PoliƟcal ParƟes1. The FuncƟons of PoliƟcal ParƟesPolitical parties play acentral but informal rolein American government. Although the Constitutiondoes not mention them, they are essential to how democracy functions in practice.1.1NominaƟng and ElecƟng Candidates•Theprimary purposeof political parties is tonominate candidates for public officeandhelp them win elections.•Once elected, officials try toadvance the goals of their partythrough laws and governmentprograms.•Registering as aDemocrat or Republicanmakes a citizen a party member.oMost members participate passively by voting.oOthers volunteer, work as party officials, or run for office themselves.•Parties seekbroad participationto increase electoral success.1.2. RepresenƟng Groups and Interests•Elected officials representconstituents—the people in their districts or states.•Officials must balance:oThe goals of theirown partyoThe concerns ofvoters from the opposing party•Support forbipartisanandnonpartisanissues helps build wider support.•Parties also representorganized interest groups, such as:oLabor unionsoFarmersoMinority groupsoBusiness ownersoTeachers and professionals

Page 2

American Government - Political Parties - Page 2 preview image

Loading page ...

Study Guide1.3. Simplifying PoliƟcal Choices•Political parties help voters make sense of politics by offeringbroad philosophiesratherthan detailed positions on every issue.•This allows voters to choose candidates based on shared values instead of individual issue-by-issue evaluation.oRepublicansgenerally emphasize business interests, social conservatism, andlimited government.oDemocratstraditionally support labor, minority groups, and a more activegovernment role.•Without parties, voters would need to assess candidates solely onindividual or single-issueplatforms, making elections more complex.1.4. Making Policy•Political parties themselvesdo not make policy, but theyinfluence it through electedofficials.•When in power, a party tries to implement its philosophy through legislation and executiveaction.•A decisive electoral victory may be interpreted as amandate, or public approval to carry out aparty’s agenda.oHowever, close or divided elections weaken claims of a mandate.oPresidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both entered office without a clearmandate due to narrow or disputed election outcomes.Key TakeawayPolitical parties:•Organize political participation•Represent individuals and interest groups•Simplify voter decision-making•Shape public policy through elected officialsEven without constitutional recognition, political parties areindispensable to the functioning ofAmerican democracy.

Page 3

American Government - Political Parties - Page 3 preview image

Loading page ...

Study Guide2.The Development of PoliƟcal ParƟesPolitical parties in the United States did not appear overnight. Instead, they developed over time asAmericans debated how the government should work and whose interests it should serve. Today’stwo-party systemis the result of election rules, historical events, and shifting public loyalties.2.1Why the United States Has a Two-Party SystemThe U.S. is dominated bytwo major political parties, Democrats and Republicans. This is notaccidental—it is largely caused by how elections are run.•The U.S. usessingle-member districtsandwinner-take-all elections.oEach district elects onlyone winner.oThe candidate with themost votes wins, even if that total is not a majority.•Because of this system,third parties struggleto win elections.oEven if a third party has national support, it must win outright in a specific district togain a seat.By contrast, many other democracies useproportional representation:•Parties earn seats based on thepercentage of votesthey receive.•For example, winning 10% of the vote earns about 10% of the seats.•This system encouragesmultiple partiesand often leads tocoalitions, where parties worktogether to form a government.2.2The Electoral College and Third ParƟesTheElectoral Collegealso strengthens the two-party system.•In presidential elections, the candidate who wins a state—no matter how narrowly—getsallof that state’s electoral votes.•This makes it very difficult for third-party candidates to succeed.•A famous example isRoss Perot in 1992:oHe won nearly20% of the national popular vote.oYet he earnedzero electoral votes.

Page 4

American Government - Political Parties - Page 4 preview image

Loading page ...

Study Guide2.3The First PoliƟcal ParƟes: Federalists and DemocraƟc RepublicansAlthough the Constitution does not mention political parties, they formed quickly.Federalists•Led byJohn AdamsandAlexander Hamilton•Supported:oBusiness growthoAstrong national governmentoAloose interpretationof the ConstitutionDemocratic Republicans•Led byThomas Jefferson•Supported:oSmall farms and agricultureoAweak central governmentoAstrict interpretationof the Constitution2.4The ElecƟon of 1800 and the TwelŌh AmendmentThe election of 1800 exposed a serious flaw in the system.•Democratic Republicans intended Jefferson to be president and Aaron Burr vice president.•However, electors voted for both equally, creating atie.•The House of Representatives had to decide the winner.This led to theTwelfth Amendment (1804), which required electors to voteseparatelyfor presidentand vice president—officially recognizing the role of political parties.

Page 5

American Government - Political Parties - Page 5 preview image

Loading page ...

Study Guide2.5Jacksonian Democrats and the WhigsAs voting rights expanded in the 1820s, politics became more democratic.Democrats (Andrew Jackson)•Represented:oSmall farmersoWestern settlersoThe working class (called “mechanics” at the time)Whigs•Supported:oBusiness interestsoA national bankoA strong federal governmentWhen the Whigs collapsed in the 1850s, they were replaced by theRepublican Party.This era also introduced:•National party conventionsto choose candidates•Party platforms, which outline beliefs and goals2.6Democrats and Republicans AŌer the Civil WarThe Civil War reshaped political parties.•Republicans dominated theNorth•Democrats were divided:oWar Democratssupported fighting the waroPeace Democrats (Copperheads)opposed itTo win reelection in 1864, Republicans temporarily renamed themselves theUnion Partyand choseDemocratAndrew Johnsonas Lincoln’s running mate.After Lincoln’s assassination, Johnson became president.
Preview Mode

This document has 14 pages. Sign in to access the full document!

Study Now!

X-Copilot AI
Unlimited Access
Secure Payment
Instant Access
24/7 Support
Document Chat

Document Details

University
Texas A&M University
Course
American Government
Subject
Art

Related Documents

View all
Document

American Government - The Judiciary

Document

American Government - Voting and Elections

Document

American Government - The President

Document

American Government - The Mass Media

Document

American Government - The Constitution

Document

American Government - The Bureaucracy

Document

American Government - Public Policy

Document

American Government - Public Opinion

Document

American Government - Interest Groups

Document

American Government - Foreign Policy