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Political Party Organization: Structure and Functions Explained

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  1. Unit 4Chapter 16, Section2 Party Organization Mr. Young American Government

  2. Essential Question • How are parties organized on the national, state, and local levels? • Even though the Constitution does not mention political parties, how do they function within our political society?

  3. I CAN: • Explain the Structure and Organization of Political Parties • List and Define the 6 major functions of Political Parties

  4. The Use of Volunteers • Volunteers perform a wide range of tasks • They obtain campaign contributions, publicize candidates, send out campaign literature, canvass voters, and watch at the polls on Election Day

  5. Membership and Organization • Separate authority exists at each level of party organization • Local, State, and national parties select their own officers and raise their own funds

  6. Party Membership • Must declare their party affiliation when they register to vote • Joining a political party is not a requirement in the United States • A voter may declare independent, not supporting any particular party

  7. Party Membership Cont. • Major parties are open parties, welcoming whoever wishes to belong and whatever degree of involvement they want • Party membership provides a way for citizens to increase their influence on government

  8. Local Party Organization • Basic local unit is the precinct, the voting district of a person • Each precinct has a volunteer precinct captain, who organizes party workers to distribute information about the party and its candidates and to attract voters to the polls • Several adjourning precincts make up a ward, and wards select party’s county committee

  9. Local Cont. • County committee selects a party county chairperson, usually has a great deal of power in the county • Usually the weakest of the party organizations because they do not have much power and have trouble finding volunteers

  10. State Party Organization • Most important part of the state party, state central committee • The committee chooses party state chairperson, usually at the wishes of the governor or US Senator • Main function of state central committee is to help elect the party’s candidates for state government officials

  11. National Party Organization • Has two main parts- national convention and national committee • National convention is a gathering of party members and local and state party officials. • Meets every four years to nominate party’s President and vice-president

  12. National cont. • National committee a large group composed mainly of representatives from the 50 state party organizations, runs the party • Party national chairperson, elected by the national committee, manages the daily operations of the national party.

  13. Political Party Functions • 6 major political party functions • Recruiting Candidates • Education the Public • Operating the Government • Dispensing Patronage • Loyal Opposition • Reduction of Conflict

  14. Recruiting Candidates • Selecting candidates for public office and presenting them to voters for approval is the major function of political parties • Political parties are more election-oriented rather than issue-oriented

  15. Educating the Public • Do bring issues to the public’s attention • Use media, such as press conferences and debates • Help people decide how to vote, if you vote for a Democrat or Republican, you can have a vague idea of how they stand on key issues

  16. Operating the Government • Congress and state legislatures are organized and carry on their works on the basis of party affiliation • Party leaders in legislature also try to keep their members in line when voting for different legislation

  17. Dispensing Patronage • Patronage, or favors given to reward party loyalty to their members • Business people or labor unions may expect officials to give them something in return

  18. The Loyal Opposition • The party out of power acts a “watchdog” to the party in power • If opposition can successfully convince the public their solutions are better, they may win the next election

  19. Reduction of Conflict • Party encourages groups to compromise and work together because they have to gain support from a wide variety of groups • Key outcome: parties encourage government to adopt moderate policies with mass appeal • When one party loses control, the transfer of power is peaceful

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