Political Parties

1. Role of the Citizen in American Democracy Political Parties

2. Anticipation Guide • The Republican Party platform supports an individual’s right to own a firearm. • The Democratic Party platform opposes amnesty for illegal aliens. • The Republican Party platform outlines a time table for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. • The Democratic Party platform states that fossil fuels are an important bridge to the future zero emission sources of energy. • Both party platforms pledge to reduce the cost of health care by requiring all Americans to have basic health insurance.

3. Emergence of Political Parties • Parties emerged from the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists • Both of the modern Democratic and Republican parties are in some ways decedents of these groups.

4. Republicans • Conservative Ideology • Primarily embraces traditional ways

5. Democrats • Liberal ideology • Primarily desires to bring about change or reform

6. 2 Party System • The winner-take-all system of American democracy makes it difficult for additional political parties to gain a foothold in the political system • Proportional systems in other countries allow political parties to gain the number of seats in the congress equal to the percentage of votes won in the election • Third parties traditional only play a meaningful role in American elections during close races in which they play the “spoiler”

7. Document Analysis • Read and annotate your excerpts from the Republican and Democratic party platforms. • Use the documents to complete you anticipation guides