Beatriz_Schilling_-_C5_BI_Worksheet_1_3.docx - BIG IDEA WORKSHEET STUDY GUIDE Mr Hamels American Government Xavier College Prep High School CHAPTER 5

Mr. Hamels B IG I DEA W ORKSHEET American Government S TUDY G UIDE Xavier College Prep High School C HAPTER 5 – P OLITICAL P ARTIES Section One: Parties and What They Do (p 116-118) A political party is a group of persons, joined together by _Common principles____, who seek to control ___government___ in order to implement certain _public policies programs_____. (p 116) American political parties are a little different because they are not primarily _issues___ or ___principle_______ oriented. Instead, they are _election__ oriented. (p 116) Political parties are a vital link between the ___people____ and their __government___. (p 116) Please complete the chart by explaining the roles played by political parties. (p 117-118) Role Explanation Example Nominating Recruit, choose, present candidates . Ex: Promote candidates raising money, ads, issues healthcare Informing Campaign, define issues, criticize other candidates Television, pamphlets, convention , rallies, internet , social media Bonding Agent Guarantee candidates are worthy of office. (screening) Good moral character Governing Members of government ofen act according to these partnership or firm allegiance to a party Parties helping coordinate the efforts to various office holders Watchdog Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next elections loyal opposition

Mr. Hamels B IG I DEA W ORKSHEET American Government S TUDY G UIDE C HAPTER 5 – P OLITICAL P ARTIES Section Two: The Two-Party System(p 119-124)A number of factors help to explain why America has had and continues to have a _two party________ system. (p 119)The system is rooted in the ratifitication__________ of the Constitution, which precipitated our first two parties: the __federalist________, led by ___Alexander Federalist ______, and the Anti federalist_____, led by __Thomas Jefferson________. (p 119)Once established, human institutions (including political systems) are likely to become __self perpectivating________. Americans accept this because it has always been that way. (p 120)Several features of the ___electroal system______ tend to promote the existence of two major parties. (p 120)The winning candidate in our elections is the one who receives a ___pirality_______ (the ___largest_____ of votes cast for that office). (p 120)