1. American Politics

2. Democratic Party Modern Name given 1840 Today: Moderate to Liberal “blue states” Symbolized by a Donkey Referred to as the “Left” Republican Party Founded 1854 Today: Moderate to Conservative “red states” Symbolized by a Republican Sometimes called the “GOP” or “Grand Old Party” Referred to as the “Right” Two Political Parties

3. Political Parties

4. IDEOLOGY - an orientation [direction] that characterizes ones thinking POLITICAL IDEOLOGY - views about government policy (guiding principles) and function (how it works). How and what you think about stuff: Life Living Religion Politics Education Relationships Decisions SYNONYMS: Belief(s) Ideas Principles Ideals Opinion Philosophy Doctrine Creed Dogma Tenets Worldview Credence Articles of faith Ideology

5. Partisan • A strong, fervent [passionate], enthusiastic, and sometimes militant supporter of a person, political party, cause, faction, person, idea or philosophy • “Partisan Politics” = favoritism shown to members of one’s own party, faction, sect, or cause. • Nonpartisan = free from party affiliation or bias (Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature is technically [on paper] nonpartisan.

6. What influences our political beliefs? • Family • Religion • Psychology • Events • Economic Status • Age • Experience

7. Political Party Spectrum in America

8. SPECTRUM - A broad sequence or range of related qualities, ideas, or activities IN POLITICS: Usually defined by the terms liberal, conservative, and moderate Defined in terms of government involvement (MORE? or LESS?) Spectrum

9. Classic Political Spectrum Political Views Communism Socialism Liberalism Moderate Conservatism Fascism Less Free More Free Less Free Increasing Tyranny Increasing Tyranny No room for Libertarian (little to no government involvement) views on this spectrum

10. Modern Political Spectrum Government Authority Fascism Communism Libertarianism Socialism Liberalism Conservatism Moderate Less Free More Free More Tyrannical Less Tyrannical Tyranny - “arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority; oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.”

11. Political Spectrum in America today

12. Presidential Politics and the Electoral College • Electoral College - system written in Constitution for electing the President of the United States • Designed to equalize small and big states • Designed to lessen influence of the popular vote • Framers did not trust the “mob” (general population = uneducated, no interest in government) • Number of “Electors” from each state = to Congressional delegation • 2 Senators + # of Representatives = # of Electors • Can change based on Census every 10 years

13. The Electoral College