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Understanding Political Parties: Ideologies and Influence in American Governance

This lesson explores the role of political parties in the U.S. government, discussing what citizens seek from their government and how parties influence policy and elections. It contrasts the Republican and Democratic platforms on key issues such as healthcare, civil rights, and education. You'll learn about the importance of political parties in shaping government goals and the emergence of third parties. Finally, the lesson highlights the political spectrum and invites students to reflect on their own political beliefs and preferences.

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Understanding Political Parties: Ideologies and Influence in American Governance

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Elections Civics Unit 5

  2. Political Parties Lesson 1

  3. Questions • Answer the following questions on your own sheet of paper: • What do you want from your government? • What is a political party? • What does it mean to be a Republican? • What does it mean to be a Democrat?

  4. Wants • Many people want many different things from their government: • Protection (military and personal) • Strong economy • Fair justice system • Clean environment • Civil liberties/rights/freedom • Assistance programs • Education

  5. How? VS. • Alone an individual may have little impact in getting what they want, a large group can influence large changes • Political Party: an organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting their members elected into office

  6. How?? • Parties influence government on all levels in number of ways: • Election of Candidates • Setting goals • Leadership (once elected) • Voice of citizens

  7. Setting Goals • A political party established positions on issues and set goals for the government • Platform: a statement on the party’s official stand on a major public issues (overall) • Planks: position statements on each issue on the party’s platform (specific)

  8. Party for Two • Our current two-party system emerged in 1854 (birth of the Republican party) • Republican Party- Elephant • Democratic Party- Donkey

  9. Republican Party • Generally: small or reducing federal government • Believe state, local, and none government organizations should take responsibility for government programs • Usually against tax increases • Less likely to support labor unions

  10. Democratic Party • Generally: Big Federal Government! • Federal government should take responsibility for social programs • Aid to the poor and disabled • More likely to support tax increases to pay for government programs • Strong supporters of civil rights • More likely to support labor unions

  11. Third Party • Although primarily a two party system sometimes a third party emerges • Formed to support a specific idea or issue(s) • Examples: • Tea Party • Independent Party • Green Party • Communist Party • Constitution Party • Libertarian Party

  12. Political Spectrum • Use the information in Chapter 22 and page 598 to identify the major where each of the following lay on the Political Spectrum: • Republican • Democrat • Green Party • Independent Party • YOU!

  13. The Issues Unit 5: Lesson 2

  14. Hot Toics • Americans as a whole have very different opinions about what the government and people should and should not be able to do • These areas are the “planks” on a candidates platform

  15. Health Care • Health Care- the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. • The Issue: To be a meaningful presence in the U.S. and live up to its purpose it must be adequate for the whole population. This requires a lot of money (workers, facilities, information and education, etc.)

  16. Conservative (Republican) • Why might the republicans notsupport government funded health care? • They think: • The cost of health care should stay primarily private (your health=you pay) • Help ensure the continual growth of the health care field • Help ensure the government is not interfering in personal health issues

  17. Liberal (Democrat) • Why might the democrats support public health care? • They think: • We are one of the only developed nations that does not have a public health care system • Helps to ensure the physical health of every American, not just the ones who can afford it • Reduce the number of Americans in debt because of medical bills

  18. Civil Liberties/Rights • Civil Rights- Freedoms that were outlined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that provide specific rights: • Right to life and property • Freedom from torture • Freedom from slavery and forced labor • Freedom of expression • freedom of assembly…and so many MORE!

  19. Conservative (Republican) • What do you think Republicans would favor individual freedoms: • They think: • More individual freedoms= less federal government • Based on personal effort, achievement, and success (you get what you earn)

  20. Liberal (Democrat) • What do you think Democrats would favor group freedoms: • They think: • Champion the rights of groups • America is the land of opportunity and everyone should get an equal chance for success

  21. School Vouchers School Voucher (AKA. Education Voucher) is a certificate issued by the government which parents can apply toward tuition at a private school or home school, rather than a public school

  22. Conservative (Republican) • Why do you think Republicans favor school vouchers? • They think: • They are not unconstitutional • Everyone has the right to a good education, but parents get to choose what good is • Private Schools • Home Schools • Religious Schools

  23. Liberal (Democrat) • Why do you think Democrats are not in favor of school vouchers? • They think: • The government provides qualified teachers and schools free to the public • Federal government money used to pay for private religious schools equates to government support of religion • Vouchers take money away from public schools

  24. Immigration Immigration- The introduction of new people into a habitat or population. The immigration of Mexican citizens to the U.S. has become a major issue. The Mexican economy is weak and the U.S. offers new job opportunities and a higher standard of living

  25. Conservative (Republican) • Why do you think Republicans want to restrict immigration? • They think: • The U.S. should tighten boarder patrol • Severely limit who comes into the U.S. to protect American jobs • Illegal families, regardless of circumstance should be deported

  26. Liberal (Democrat) • Why do you think Democrats do not care to heavily restrict immigration? • They think: • Help rebuild Mexico’s economy • We should monitor immigration and follow laws already in place • Provide assistance to the children of immigrants • The U.S. is a melting pot, we all come from immigrants, restricting Mexican immigration is based on prejudice

  27. Other Hot Topics Same-sex Marriage Abortion The Economy Government Assistance Programs Many, many, many MORE!

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