The Political Process

Functions of political parties

• Choose candidates, Helping candidates win, Educating the electorate, Monitoring actions of officeholders
• Only citizens who do this may vote in primary and general elections.
• Laws that limit the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns
• Where most voters are (the middle)

Two-party System

• In the US., Democrats and Republican dominate politics

• Ruled that individuals/groups/businesses, etc. can give an unlimited amount of money toward political campaign [attack] ads
• Political Action Committees created to help candidates raise funds for their campaigns.
• A party's goals, ideas, and beliefs on hot topic issues. The main difference between parties.

Similarities between political parties

• Organize to win elections, Influence public policy, Reflect both liberal and conservative views, appeal to the political center
• In the US., Democrats and Republican dominate politics

• States that go back and forth for who the majority votes for in an election
• A person who attracts attention to their party (ex. Teddy Roosevelt- Bull Moose)

Third Parties

• Introduce new ideas, smaller in size than Democrats or Republicans
• Organize to win elections, Influence public policy, Reflect both liberal and conservative views, appeal to the political center
• The candidate that gets the most popular votes in a state gets ALL of the electors' votes for that state.
• The number of representatives and senators that represent each state in the government

Political Party

• a group of people with similar ideas about how government should run
• Introduce new ideas, smaller in size than Democrats or Republicans
• A group's ideas and beliefs on important issues

• The system where electors choose the President and Vice-President

Candidate

• a person running for office
• a group of people with similar ideas about how government should run
• Organize to win elections, Influence public policy, Reflect both liberal and conservative views, appeal to the political center
• States that go back and forth for who the majority votes for in an election

Electorate

• anyone who can vote in an election (the voters)
• a person running for office
• Introduce new ideas, smaller in size than Democrats or Republicans
• Organize to win elections, Influence public policy, Reflect both liberal and conservative views, appeal to the political center

Monitor

• to watch closely
• anyone who can vote in an election (the voters)
• a group of people with similar ideas about how government should run
• Introduce new ideas, smaller in size than Democrats or Republicans

Recruit

• to convince someone to join your party
• to watch closely
• a person running for office
• a group of people with similar ideas about how government should run

Nominate

• To choose someone to run for office
• to convince someone to join your party
• anyone who can vote in an election (the voters)
• a person running for office