Political Parties

What is a political party?

• A person who runs for office

• an organization of voters who favor similar policies and styles of government

• a group of people who disagree about what the gov't should do

• a candidate who is nominated to run for election

What is a two-party system?

• A political process where two candidates win the same seat

• The political domination of two political parties

• A system where many political parties win elections

• A system where one political party dominates

Choose TWO good things about the two-party system.

• Easy to make a choice between two candidates

• Allows other political parties to win election

• Change is easy

• Creates stability and predictability

Choose TWO bad things about a two-party system.

• Change happens too much

• Change is not easy.

• Voters choices are limited

• Too many political parties

How do third parties impact our political system?

• Third parties raise important issues and make them mainstream

• Third parties often win elections and cause change

• Third parties help keep the two-party system successful

• Third parties prevent people from making their own political parties.

Choose THREE reasons why third parties tend NOT to succeed.

• Elections in the U.S. are winner-take-all

• Third parties lack media coverage

• Third parties never appeal to voters.

• Campaign finance law doesn't favor third parties

What best describes Green Party politics?

• Wants active gov't and focused on equality

• Focused on combatting climate change

• Focused on eliminating federal taxes

• Focused on small gov't and individual freedom

What describes Republican Politics?

• Focused on conservative limited gov't and individual freedoms

• Wants liberal active gov't and focused on equality

• Focused on combating climate change

• Wants to eliminated federal tax and maximize individual freedoms

What best describes Democratic Party politics?

• Conservative, Small gov't, maximize individual freedoms

• Liberal, Active gov't, focus on equality

• Focus on combating climate change

• Wants to end federal income tax

What best best describes libertarian politics?

• Eliminate federal income tax and maximize individual freedoms

• Active gov't, focus on equality, desires social justice

• Focus on combating climate change and protecting the environment