American Political Parties

1. American Political Parties The Two party System and its History

2. Political Parties: What They Do� Winning isn�t everything; it�s the only thing! While NFL coach Vince Lombardi was talking about football, this could also apply to politics�

3. What is a political party? A political party is a group of people who seek to control government by winning elections In America, there are two major parties who do this -- Democrats & Republicans

4. What is a Party? People in these political parties work together on the basis of common principles They are working to affect or change public policies and programs

5. What do Parties Do? Political Parties have five functions that they perform These functions help the people to understand not only what the party is about, but also the candidates

6. What Do Political Parties Do? The Five functions are: Nominating candidates Informing and Activating Supporters Bonding Agent function Governing Watchdog function

7. What Do Political Parties Do? Nominating candidates Parties find or recruit candidates for office Parties help to find support for those candidates This is a US function, no other country performs this function

8. What Do Political Parties Do? Informing & Activating Supporters