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American Government - Political Parties

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    Study Guide American Government – Poli Ɵ cal Par Ɵ es 1. The Func Ɵ ons of Poli Ɵ cal Par Ɵ es Political parties play a central but informal role in American government. Although the Constitution does not mention them, they are essential to how democracy functions in practice. 1.1 Nomina Ɵ ng and Elec Ɵ ng Candidates • The primary purpose of political parties is to nominate candidates for public office and help them win elections. • Once elected, officials try to advance the goals of their party through laws and government programs. • Registering as a Democrat or Republican makes a citizen a party member. o Most members participate passively by voting. o Others volunteer, work as party officials, or run for office themselves. • Parties seek broad participation to increase electoral success. 1. 2. Represen Ɵ ng Groups and Interests • Elected officials represent constituents — the people in their districts or states. • Officials must balance: o The goals of their own party o The concerns of voters from the opposing party • Support for bipartisan and nonpartisan issues helps build wider support. • Parties also represent organized interest groups , such as: o Labor unions o Farmers o Minority groups o Business owners o Teachers and professionals

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    Study Guide 1. 3. Simplifying Poli Ɵ cal Choices • Political parties help voters make sense of politics by offering broad philosophies rather than detailed positions on every issue. • This allows voters to choose candidates based on shared values instead of individual issue - by - issue evaluation. o Republicans generally emphasize business interests, social conservatism, and limited government. o Democrats traditionally support labor, minority groups, and a more active government role. • Without parties, voters would need to assess candidates solely on individual or single - issue platforms , making elections more complex. 1. 4. Making Policy • Political parties themselves do not make policy , but they influence it through elected officials . • When in power, a party tries to implement its philosophy through legislation and executive action. • A decisive electoral victory may be interpreted as a mandate , or public approval to carry out a party’s agenda. o However, close or divided elections weaken claims of a mandate. o Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both entered office without a clear mandate due to narrow or disputed election outcomes. Key Takeaway Political parties: • Organize political participation • Represent individuals and interest groups • Simplify voter decision - making • Shape public policy through elected officials Even without constitutional recognition, political parties are indispensable to the functioning of American democracy .

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    Study Guide 2. The Development of Poli Ɵ cal Par Ɵ es Political parties in the United States did not appear overnight. Instead, they developed over time as Americans debated how the government should work and whose interests it should serve. Today’s two - party system is the result of election rules, historical events, and shifting public loyalties. 2.1 Why the United States Has a Two - Party System The U.S. is dominated by two major political parties , Democrats and Republicans. This is not accidental — it is largely caused by how elections are run. • The U.S. uses single - member districts and winner - take - all elections . o Each district elects only one winner . o The candidate with the most votes wins , even if that total is not a majority. • Because of this system, third parties struggle to win elections. o Even if a third party has national support, it must win outright in a specific district to gain a seat. By contrast, many other democracies use proportional representation : • Parties earn seats based on the percentage of votes they receive. • For example, winning 10% of the vote earns about 10% of the seats. • This system encourages multiple parties and often leads to coalitions , where parties work together to form a government. 2.2 The Electoral College and Third Par Ɵ es The Electoral College also strengthens the two - party system. • In presidential elections, the candidate who wins a state — no matter how narrowly — gets all of that state’s electoral votes . • This makes it very difficult for third - party candidates to succeed. • A famous example is Ross Perot in 1992 : o He won nearly 20% of the national popular vote . o Yet he earned zero electoral votes .

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    Study Guide 2.3 The First Poli Ɵ cal Par Ɵ es: Federalists and Democra Ɵ c Republicans Although the Constitution does not mention political parties, they formed quickly. Federalists • Led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton • Supported: o Business growth o A strong national government o A loose interpretation of the Constitution Democratic Republicans • Led by Thomas Jefferson • Supported: o Small farms and agriculture o A weak central government o A strict interpretation of the Constitution 2.4 The Elec Ɵ on of 1800 and the Twel Ō h Amendment The 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 a tie . • The House of Representatives had to decide the winner. This led to the Twelfth Amendment (1804) , which required electors to vote separately for president and vice president — officially recognizing the role of political parties.

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    Study Guide 2.5 Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs As voting rights expanded in the 1820s, politics became more democratic. Democrats (Andrew Jackson) • Represented: o Small farmers o Western settlers o The working class (called “mechanics” at the time) Whigs • Supported: o Business interests o A national bank o A strong federal government When the Whigs collapsed in the 1850s, they were replaced by the Republican Party . This era also introduced: • National party conventions to choose candidates • Party platforms , which outline beliefs and goals 2.6 Democrats and Republicans A Ō er the Civil War The Civil War reshaped political parties. • Republicans dominated the North • Democrats were divided: o War Democrats supported fighting the war o Peace Democrats (Copperheads) opposed it To win reelection in 1864, Republicans temporarily renamed themselves the Union Party and chose Democrat Andrew Johnson as Lincoln’s running mate. After Lincoln’s assassination, Johnson became president.

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