Political parties

​The 2-Party System

The United States has a 2-party system. This means 2 political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, win elections and control the government.

• Tend to lean right or 'right wing' (more conservative/less change).

• Wants smaller government and less business regulation.
  
  

Republicans

• Tend to lean left or 'left wing' (more liberal/more change).

• Support more government programs to help citizens.

​Democrats

What's the difference?

Keep in mind:

These are very basic descriptions of democrats and republicans. Despite what the 2 political parties might claim, both share similar views on many issues.


Playing up the differences and divides between them is a tool to ensure people keep supporting their parties.

​there are more than 2-parties

There are other political parties in the U.S., such as the Green Party and Libertarian Party. These are known as 3rd parties.



People join 3rd parties when they are unhappy with the 2-major parties or feel the democrats and republicans aren't focusing on the right issues.

How well do 3rd parties do in elections?

While 3rd parties may occasionally win local and state elections, they are unsuccessful in national elections.


Democrats and republicans make it difficult for 3rd parties to be successful if they do win.


3rd parties lack the resources of the major parties and elections are expensive.


Voters often feel like they are wasting a vote by choosing a 3rd party.

Do people have to belong to a political party?

No. When people register to vote, they can choose 'independent', which means they are not associated with any political party.


Independents are not allowed to vote in primary elections if their state holds closed primaries.


Close primaries only allow registered members of a political party to vote in their primary.

Multiple Choice

What are the names of the two major political parties in the United States today?

• Green and Libertarian

• Socialist and Communist

• Democrats and Repubilcans

• Libertarians and Constitutionalists

Fill in the Blanks

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A person who does not belong to a political party is sometimes called an

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.

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How a political party feels on certain issues is stated in their

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radio addresses

mailings

pamphlets

platforms

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Group of persons who seek to control government through winning of elections.

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Interest groups

Lobbying 

Political parties

Incumbent

Drag and Drop

Which party believes in a smaller federal government?

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Republican

Democrat

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Which party believes the federal government should ensure all people are cared for?

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Democrat

Republican

Dropdown

Which of these is the group of words most associated with the Democratic Party?

Select answer

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Which of these is the group of words most associated with the Republican Party?

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Right, right wing, conservative

Right, right wing, liberal

Left, left wing, conservative

Left, left wing, liberal