5:1 Political Parties and
What They Do
Learning Goal: Understand the
definition of a Political Party and
what Role they Play in our
6/9/2016
Government.
1
What is a Political Party?
A political party is a group of persons who
seek to control government through the
winning of elections and the holding of
public office.
6/9/2016
2
What do Political Parties do?
Political Parties are essential to democratic
government. They are a vital link between
the people and their government.
6/9/2016
3
The Nominating Function
The major function of a political
party is to nominate candidates for
public office.
6/9/2016
4
The Informer-Stimulator Function
a. Parties inform the people (examplepamphlets, signs, buttons, ads.,
speeches) and stimulate their
interest and participation in public
affairs.
b. The goal is for people to go vote!
6/9/2016
5
The “Seal of Approval” Function
A party grants seals of
approval, so to speak,
to its candidates. The
party tries to see that
the candidates are men
and women who are
both qualified and of
good character.
6/9/2016
6
The Governmental Function
• The Government of the
United States can be
described as
government by party.
For example, President
Obama knows that he
can usually count on the
support of other
Democrats in Congress.
6/9/2016
7
The Watchdog Function
• Parties act as watchdogs
over the conduct of the
public’s business.
• This is particularly the
function of the party out of
power. It plays this role as
it criticizes the policies and
behavior of the party in
power.
6/9/2016
8
• You will be quizzed over this
information Tomorrow.
6/9/2016
Don’t Forget!!!
9