University:
Bradley University
Course:
PLS 311 | Political Parties Electorate and Politics
Academic year:

2022
Views:

101

Pages:

10
Author:

segolhandworked

Political Parties Chapter 5 Parties and What They Do Chapter 5 Section 1 • “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” – Vince Lombardi • How does this quote apply to political parties? What is a Party? • Political Party wants to control government by winning elections and holding office • In American politics, it applies to the two major parties: Republicans and Democrats • Political parties can be principle/issue oriented or election oriented • Republicans and Democrats are in fact election oriented What Do Parties Do? • Political Parties in America have 5 major functions 1. Nominating Candidates 2. Informing and Activating Supporters 3. The Bonding Agent Function 4. Governing 5. Acting as a Watchdog Nominating Candidates • Nominate or name candidates for public office • After nominating, the party works to help that candidate win elections. • The parties must find qualified candidates and garner support for those candidates Informing and Activating Supporters • Ways the parties inform/activate their supporters: 1. Campaign for Candidates 2. Take Stand on Issues 3. Criticize the Candidates and Positions of the Opposing Party The Bonding Agent • Ensure good performance from its officeholders and potential officeholders • Attempt to find qualified candidates who have good character • If a candidate/officeholder fails, in a sense so does the party in future elections. Governing • “The Government in the United States is a Government by party” • Legislatures tend to practice partisanship • Most political appointments are done with party approval • Provides a true system of checks and balances amongst the branches of government Acting as a Watchdog • Role usually reserved for the party out of power • Police the actions and behavior of the party in power • Watchdogs attempt to sway the public’s opinion in order to make them the party in power

5 Roles of Political Parties

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