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The Two-Party System in American Politics

The Two-Party System in American Politics. Chapter 5, Section 2. What we covered last time… . 5 Functions of political parties: Govern Nominate candidates “Inform and Activate” Create a “Bonding Agent” Act as the public’s “Watchdog”. Objectives for Today .

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The Two-Party System in American Politics

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  1. The Two-Party System in American Politics Chapter 5, Section 2

  2. What we covered last time… • 5 Functions of political parties: • Govern • Nominate candidates • “Inform and Activate” • Create a “Bonding Agent” • Act as the public’s “Watchdog”

  3. Objectives for Today • Why does the United States have a two-party system? • The difference between one-party, two-party and multi-party systems. • Party membership trends in the United States.

  4. Why does the United States have a two-party system? • Forces throughout history • Tradition in the United States • The American Electoral System • The “American Ideological Consensus”

  5. Historical Forces in the Creation of the Two-Party System

  6. How do you think the Founding Fathers felt about political parties?

  7. Historical Forces • Founding Fathers did not desire the existence of political parties… • Viewed them as "factions" dangerous to public interest… • If the political community broke into small groups committed to their own narrow interests, the search for the common good would be compromised!

  8. Historical Forces • republican ideology = subordination of narrow interests to the general welfare of the community… • Politics was supposed to be rational and collaborative, NOT competitive! • Can you even imagine this concept today? (HA!)

  9. “Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party…”

  10. Historical Forces • Federalists (Hamilton) vs. Anti-Federalists(Jefferson) • Alexander Hamilton: • …associated with the aristocracy, industry over agriculture, Great Britain over France and stronger central government over stronger individual states. • Thomas Jefferson: • …weak central government, common man and the addition of the Bill of Rights.

  11. Tradition and the Two-Party System

  12. Tradition • From the beginning, our country has had a two-party system… • So, we have always had this system… • Has this system ever failed us? • No, not really. • Basically, America has a two-party system because we have ALWAYS had a two-party system!

  13. The American Electoral System the Two-Party System

  14. The American Electoral System • The prevalence of “Single-member districts”… • One candidate is elected to office • “Winner-take-all” elections • Discourages third parties… • Typically, people vote for incumbent, or next “most reliable alternative” – which is usually who? • What mentality does this breed?

  15. Is a vote for a third party a wasted vote?

  16. The American Electoral System • American election law creates obstacles for third-parties… • “Ballot access” laws - % of previous races • Democratic and Republican state legislatures pass restrictive laws that make it difficult for third parties to get on the ballot in many states! • “Write-in” vs. “Ballot access”

  17. Examples…

  18. The American Ideological Consensus and the Two-Party System

  19. The American Ideological Consensus 90% of Americans Although we have a pluralistic society, there is a broad consensus on fundamental issues in the country! Two major parties are very similar… “moderate”

  20. In order to win elections, parties tend to take moderate stances on issues to appeal to the largest number of people!

  21. Now, let’s look at the difference between our system and others…

  22. One-party, two-party and multi-party systems • One-party system: typically produces an autocratic or dictatorial power… • aka “Single-Party” state

  23. United States… Single party State?

  24. One-party, two-party and multi-party systems • Multi-party system: system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition… • Coalition: alliance of parties who come together to control a government • Most Western European Countries, Brazil, Canada, India, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealandand Taiwan…

  25. Now, let’s look at Party Membership Patterns in the United States…

  26. Trends in Political Parties • Democrats • Blacks, Hispanics • Catholics • Jews • Union members • Lower income • Republicans (GOP) • White males, Cubans • Protestants • Businessmen • Higher income

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