Political Parties
Political Parties
What is the purpose of a political party?
- To represent ideas of different people in America
- TO REPRESENT – had a representative that represents a state or district – gives coherence to different views
- Make sure that government implement policies up to date
Ø They are an essential element of any democracy
- Number of traditional functions played by parties – they are not the prerogative of the parties in the US: - THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY Pressure groups /political action committees/ candidate-centred organisations/ media
- Helps to unite shared belief – if there is label then they can reflect shared beliefs (Republican = certain things about policy)
- Help candidates – it is not in the constitution to have parties
o Give financial and organisational support
o Organisation
o Fundraising
- Communication - Communicate with the people
o Policy formulation
Ø The size of US makes parties weaker
Ø Parties in the US are state – based organisations
Ø USA = 2 party system – first-past the post system
Ø Third parties have a minor role
Ø 2 major political parties that are unimportant but dominate politics
Ø They were a shallow structure – could attach a label
Major parties and ideology
v Names of the party = not ideologically exclusive
o Republicanism
o Democracy
o THIS SHOWS THAT THEY ARE BOTH ALL-EMBRACING IDEOLOGIES
v Ideology – collectively set of ideas and beliefs
o Barack Obama – Democrat is also a Republican – he believes in the principles of Republican government
o George.W Bush – Republican , is also a Democrat – he believes in the principles of Democrat Government
v Because from the names = no sign of ideology , they have ideological labels before their party names
o Conservative Democrat
o Liberal Democrats
o Conservative Republicans
o Moderate Republicans
v George W Bush ran his 2000 campaign – named Compassionate conservative
o Compassionate conservative – denote a strand of conservative Republican philosophy which looked at issues such as WELFARE / EDUCATION/ IMMIGRATION/ POVERTY
v ideology + regions = linked
o South = Conservative
o Northeast / west coast = Liberal
o Southern Democrats :EG: Senator Mark Pryor (Arkansas) = more conservative than New England Dem’s - Senator Patrick Leahy (Vermont)
o New England Republicans : EG: Senator Susan Collins (Maine) = more liberal than Southern Republicans – Senator Richard Burr (North Carolina)
What is the purpose of a political party?
- To represent ideas of different people in America
- TO REPRESENT – had a representative that represents a state or district – gives coherence to different views
- Make sure that government implement policies up to date
Ø They are an essential element of any democracy
- Number of traditional functions played by parties – they are not the prerogative of the parties in the US: - THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY Pressure groups /political action committees/ candidate-centred organisations/ media
- Helps to unite shared belief – if there is label then they can reflect shared beliefs (Republican = certain things about policy)
- Help candidates – it is not in the constitution to have parties
o Give financial and organisational support
o Organisation
o Fundraising
- Communication - Communicate with the people
o Policy formulation
Ø The size of US makes parties weaker
Ø Parties in the US are state – based organisations
Ø USA = 2 party system – first-past the post system
Ø Third parties have a minor role
Ø 2 major political parties that are unimportant but dominate politics
Ø They were a shallow structure – could attach a label
Major parties and ideology
v Names of the party = not ideologically exclusive
o Republicanism
o Democracy
o THIS SHOWS THAT THEY ARE BOTH ALL-EMBRACING IDEOLOGIES
v Ideology – collectively set of ideas and beliefs
o Barack Obama – Democrat is also a Republican – he believes in the principles of Republican government
o George.W Bush – Republican , is also a Democrat – he believes in the principles of Democrat Government
v Because from the names = no sign of ideology , they have ideological labels before their party names
o Conservative Democrat
o Liberal Democrats
o Conservative Republicans
o Moderate Republicans
v George W Bush ran his 2000 campaign – named Compassionate conservative
o Compassionate conservative – denote a strand of conservative Republican philosophy which looked at issues such as WELFARE / EDUCATION/ IMMIGRATION/ POVERTY
v ideology + regions = linked
o South = Conservative
o Northeast / west coast = Liberal
o Southern Democrats :EG: Senator Mark Pryor (Arkansas) = more conservative than New England Dem’s - Senator Patrick Leahy (Vermont)
o New England Republicans : EG: Senator Susan Collins (Maine) = more liberal than Southern Republicans – Senator Richard Burr (North Carolina)