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Understanding Political Parties in the Two-Party System

Explore the dynamics of the two-party system, the role of third parties, key historical movements, and the values associated with political parties in the SPRING 2012 era. Learn about the differences between Democrats and Republicans, third parties, and the principles shaping political ideologies.

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Understanding Political Parties in the Two-Party System

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  1. Political Parties Two-Party System SPRING 2012

  2. Two Party System • Two major parties dominate • link to “winner take all” • Sprinkling of third parties • TRADITION Always done it that way • CONVENIENCE Makes it easier for voters, no homework • ELECTION LAWS D’s and R’s perpetuate system through policy process

  3. Democrats vs. RepublicansIs there a Difference?

  4. 3rd Parties(minor parties, independent parties)Many different ways to categorize---some might claim six types, others four, etc. • Great Personality • Teddy Roosevelt / Bull Moose Party (1912) • 88 Electoral votes; 6 states; 4,122,721 votes; 27.4% • Great Idea • Populist Party (1900s) • Tea Party, Libertarians and Greens today • If idea is great enough then both the movement and its supporters/voters are “absorbed” by one of the major parties • Hybrid • Combination of two---- “message & messenger” • will the Tea Party need someone like Sarah Palin? • George Wallace (1968)-American Independent Party • (states rights, segregation) • 48 electoral votes; 5 states; 9,901,118 votes; 13.5% • Ross Perot (1992)-United We Stand • Fiscal/economic responsibility & reform • 0 electoral votes; 0 states; 19,743,821 votes; 18.9%

  5. TEN VALUES • Grass roots democracy • Social justice/ equal opportunity • Ecological wisdom • Nonviolence • Decentralization • Community based economics/ economic justice • Feminism & gender equity • Respect for diversity • Personal & global responsibility • Future focus & sustainability

  6. “Minimum Government, Maximum Freedom” • High degree of both personal & economic liberty • Support lower taxes, slashing bureaucracy, charitable welfare • Socially tolerant with few restrictions on personal actions/lifestyles • “live & let live” mentality with a balanced checkbook • Borrow from both parties to create a logical & consistent whole • Laissez faire economic policies-minimal gov’t regulations • Strong civil liberties • Non-interventionist foreign policy-avoidance of “foreign entanglements” • Minimally regulated migration across borders • Free trade & travel among nations

  7. Focus on fiscal responsibility, limited government and free market principles • Origins associated with civil disobedience of the founders at the Boston Tea Party • Advocate states rights and local control with diminished federal power • Decentralized structure that matches their personality---a loose affiliation of hundreds of local and state organizations • Conservative and libertarian roots • Focus is on fiscal/economic policy, reduced govt spending, opposition to high taxes, reduction of national debt and deficit and an originalist philosophy of constitutional interpretation • the movement officially takes no position on social issues---they encourage members to inform themselves and act on a personal level • Primary catalysts for movement were opposition to “Obamacare” and the federal bailout of Wall Street

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