Hearing-impaired students

rally at Gallaudet University,

Washington, D.C.

266
★ Chapter 9 Political Parties and Politics
★ Chapter 10 Voting and Elections
★ Chapter 11 Influencing Government

Be an Active Citizen
The United States is the first
modern nation in which citizens
deliberately took governmental power
into their own hands. They created a
governmental system in which the
people—rather than a monarch, a
dictator, or ruling party—have
ultimate power. To ensure the
continuation of democracy
in this country, Americans
must constantly involve
themselves in their
government.

267
 Summarizing Information
Learn It!
Summarizing is an important skill that helps you clarify text and understand
key points, especially if the text is difficult.
• Read the paragraph below. What are the key points in the paragraph?
• In your mind, summarize the key points in complete thoughts.

The Progressive Party promoted the direct primary to allow the peo-
ple a more direct role in government. Two other Progressive ideas—the
initiative and referendum—were intended to give voters more power
to make laws. Although the Populists and the Progressives never won
the presidency, the Democratic and Republican Parties adopted many of
their ideas.
—from page 275

Graphic Organizer
A graphic organizer can help to organize key points to summarize.

Key Points
• There are two major parties: Republican and Democratic
• Both parties have millions of supporters.
• Since 1860, one or the other has always held the presidency.
• Together they have held most seats in Congress.

fore Summary
e a d in g a summary be help The Republican and Democratic Parties are
R al text will
g th e a c tu
readin of new the two major political parties. Both parties
h y o u r c o m prehension have millions of supporters. Since 1860, one
wit
concepts. or the other has always held the presidency.
Together, they have also held most seats in
Congress.

268 Unit 3
 Read to Write
Activity
Practice It! Read the section
Read the following paragraph from this unit. Draw a titled “Forming
graphic organizer like the one below to show key points Public Opinion”
and a summary. pages 318–324.
Then, write a
paragraph that
uses key points
There are important reasons to exercise your right to vote. Voting to summarize
gives citizens a chance to choose their government leaders. It gives the argument for
them an opportunity to voice their opinions on past performances public opinion
of public officials. If voters are dissatisfied, they can elect new lead- polling or against
ers. Voting also allows citizens to express their opinions on public public opinion
issues. polling.
—from page 299

Key Points

Summary

Apply It!
Identify one summary with supporting
key points for:
• Chapter 11, Section 2

Unit 3 269
Why It Matters
The Constitution makes no mention of political
parties, but the first ones formed during the early
Delegates cheer for John
years of the republic. Today, the United States Kerry at 2004 National
has several political parties, although two—the Democratic Convention
Democrats and the Republicans—dominate American
politics. Why do people join political parties? Why
does America have a two-party system?

270
Brian Snyder/Reuters/CORBIS
 To preview Chapter 9, visit
glencoe.com.

Section 1: Development of Political Parties

Political and economic institutions evolve to help
individuals and groups accomplish their goals. The
United States has had a two-party system since its early
days as a nation.

Section 2: Role of Political Parties Today

Political and economic institutions evolve to
help individuals and groups accomplish their
goals. Political parties play a large role in the decisions
made by government.

Comparing Information Study Foldable Make the following

Foldable to help you compare how political parties work.

Step 1 Fold a sheet Step 2 Turn the paper Reading and Writing
of paper in half and fold it into thirds. As you read the chapter,
from the long compare and contrast the
way with edges duties and roles of political
evenly together. parties at different levels.

Step 3 Unfold and draw Step 4 National State and

two overlapping ovals. Cut the Label as shown. Political Both Local Political
Parties
Parties
top layer along both fold lines.

Chapter 9 271
Guide to Reading Development of
Big Idea
Political and economic Political Parties
institutions evolve to help
individuals and groups accom-
plish their goals. Real World Civics Despite the dominance of the
Content Vocabulary two major political parties, third parties have often influenced
• political party (p. 273) American politics. Many important issues have been brought
• two-party system (p. 273)
• third party (p. 274) to the public’s attention by third parties. Theodore Roosevelt’s
• platform (p. 277) Progressive Party split the Republican Party, taking many of its
• plank (p. 277) votes and causing it to lose the election in 1912. Democratic
Academic Vocabulary candidate Woodrow Wilson was elected.
• stress (p. 273)
• promote (p. 274) In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt became the presidential
candidate for the newly formed Progressive Party
Reading Strategy
Comparing As you read,
complete a web dia-
gram similar to the one
below by detailing the
development of today’s
major political parties
in the United States:
the Democratic and
Republican.

Political Parties
Develop

Democratic Republican

NORTH CAROLINA STANDARDS

Civics and Economics

4.01 Examine the structure and organization of

political parties.

272
Staff/AP Images
 Political Participation As American citizens, each of us has the right to participate in
the political process and express our opinions on government policy. Political parties are
one of the major vehicles of participation in our political system. Describing What is the
function of political parties?

1790s, two rival political groups had orga-

Political Parties nized in opposition to one another.
Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson led
Main Idea Political parties play a vital role in one group, and Secretary of the Treasury
our democratic system. Alexander Hamilton led the other. They dis-
Civics & You Many of us demand to have a say in agreed strongly about how the U.S. govern-
the governmental decisions that affect us. Read on to ment should operate.
find out how political parties help meet this demand. Hamilton believed that individual rights
were at risk if the government was too weak,
so he favored a strong national government.
A political party is an organization of indi- Jefferson wanted to limit the power of the
national government. Contrary to Hamilton,
viduals with broad, common interests who
he argued for more power for state govern-
organize to win elections, to operate the
ments, which were closer to the citizens.
government, and to thereby influence gov-
ernment policy. During most of American
history there have been two major political The Democratic Party At first Jefferson’s
parties. Other parties have sometimes run group was called the Democratic-Republican
in elections, but they have seldom won. For Party. From 1800 to 1816 Jefferson’s party grew
these reasons, the United States is said to stronger, while Hamilton’s, the Federalist
have a two-party system. Party, weakened. In 1824 all four presi-
dential candidates had run as Democratic-
Republicans. By 1828, however, the party
Growth of American Parties had split. Those who supported candidate
The U.S. Constitution says nothing about Andrew Jackson took the name Democratic
political parties. In fact, many delegates Party to stress, or play up, their ties to the
to the Constitutional Convention were common people. In 1830 a new party, the
against them. In his Farewell Address of Whigs (or National Republicans), rose to
1796, President George Washington warned compete with the Democrats. The Whigs and
against the “baneful [very harmful] effects of the Democrats remained the two major par-
the spirit of the party.” Even so, by the late ties until the 1850s.

Chapter 9 273
Ramin Talaie/CORBIS
 Evolution of American Political Parties

Federalist 1789–1820 Promoted a strong central government

Democratic- 1796–1832 Formed to oppose Federalist policies
Republican
National 1828–1836 Split from the Democratic-Republican Party
Republican to promote strong national government
and oppose Andrew Jackson’s campaign
for presidency
Democratic 1832–Present Party formed in support of Andrew Jackson
Whig 1834–1864 Included critics of Andrew Jackson, states’
rights advocates, and supporters of internal
improvements
Republican 1856–Present Formed to oppose the Democratic Party’s
support of the institution of slavery

Analyzing Charts

1. Identifying According to the chart, which

political party had the shortest life span?
2. Sequencing When did the modern
Republican Party get its start?

The Republican Party In 1854 a group

of Democrats and Whigs, many of whom Third Parties
opposed slavery, left their parties to form
new ones. These parties took many differ- Main Idea Throughout American history, addi-
ent names, including the Fusion Party, the tional parties have arisen to influence politics.
Peoples Party, and the Independent Party. Civics & You As you read, think about how third
The most popular name for the new coali- parties influence American politics.
tion was the Republican Party.
Republicans did not agree on whether
slavery should be abolished in the Southern Throughout American history, smaller
states, but they did agree that it had to be minor parties, sometimes called third parties,
kept out of the Northern territories. A large have competed for power in the nation’s two-
majority of Northern voters seemed to agree, party system. While most Americans do not
enabling the Republican Party to make great support third parties or vote for their candi-
strides in the congressional elections of 1854. dates, third parties have influenced American
In 1860 Abraham Lincoln won election as politics in several important ways.
the first Republican president. Since then, Third parties have often promoted, or
Republicans and Democrats have been the advanced, ideas that were at first unpopular
major parties in our system. or hotly debated. The Populist Party of the
1890s, a combination of farmers and laborers,
Explaining Why did Washington called for the direct election of senators and
not want political parties to form? an eight-hour working day.

274 Chapter 9
(t)National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Behring Center, (b)Collection of David J. & Janice L. Frent
 The Progressive Party promoted the direct the nation’s two-party tradition. While the
AP Photo/Jim Mone

primary to allow the people a more direct names of the Republican and Democratic
role in government. Two other Progressive candidates are automatically placed on the
ideas—the initiative and referendum—were ballot in many states, third-party candidates
intended to give voters more power to must obtain a large number of voter signa-
make laws. Although the Populists and tures in order to get on the ballot. Third par-
the Progressives never won the presidency, ties also often have trouble raising sufficient
the Democratic and the Republican Parties amounts of money to compete in campaigns
adopted many of their ideas. (You will against the major-party candidates.
read about the initiative and referendum in
Chapter 10.) Other Party Systems
Single-Issue Parties Some third parties Political parties exist in most countries.
form to promote a social, economic, or moral Two-party systems, however, are rare. The
issue. For example, the Prohibitionist Party, role that political parties play differs with
formed in 1872, wanted to ban the sale of each nation’s political system.
alcohol. A single-issue party usually does not
last long. It may fade away when the issue
Third Parties Former professional wrestler and
is no longer important or if a major party Reform Party candidate Jesse Ventura was elected
adopts the issue. governor of Minnesota in 1998. Explaining Why are
some political parties called third parties?
Ideological Parties An ideology is a set
of beliefs about human nature and govern-
ment institutions. Ideological parties are
those that support a particular philoso-
phy or political doctrine. For example, the
Socialist Labor Party and the Communist
Party USA believe that our free enterprise
system should be replaced by one in which
government or workers own the factories,
transportation, and resources. In contrast,
an ideological party such as the Libertarian
Party opposes government interference in
private enterprise in order to increase indi-
vidual freedoms.
Independent Candidates Sometimes
third parties form around leaders with strong
personalities who cannot get support from
one of the two major parties. Such parties
usually do not survive beyond the defeat of
their candidates.
In 1992 wealthy business leader H. Ross
Perot challenged both major-party candi-
dates as an independent. Perot ran again in
1996, under the banner of the Reform Party.
Obstacles to Third Parties Third par-
ties rarely win major elections because of

275
 Leading Third-Party Presidential Candidates, 1948–2004

VOTES
ELECTION YEAR CANDIDATE POLITICAL PARTY (in thousands)
1948 Strom Thurmond States’ Rights 1,176
1952 Vincent Hallinan Progressive 104
1956 T. Coleman Andrews States’ Rights 111
1960 Eric Hass Socialist Labor 48
1964 Eric Hass Socialist Labor 45
1968 George Wallace American Independent 9,906
1972 John Schmitz American 1,099
1976 Eugene McCarthy Independent 757
1980 John Anderson Independent 5,720
1984 David Bergland Libertarian 228
1988 Ron Paul Libertarian 432
1992 H. Ross Perot Independent 19,742
1996 H. Ross Perot Reform 8,085
2000 Ralph Nader Green 2,883
2004 Ralph Nader Independent 464

Analyzing Charts

1. Identifying Which of the candidates listed

was most successful in gaining popular votes?
2. Comparing Which third-party candidates
received more than 5 million votes?
Multiparty Systems Many democracies
have multiparty systems. In these systems,
three or more parties compete for control of
the government. For example, Canada has of China, for instance, only one party—the
three major parties, Germany has five, and Communist Party—is allowed to exist, and
Israel has more than 20. only Communist candidates may run for
In multiparty systems, one party rarely office. As a result, only Communist Party
wins enough support to control the govern- members fill government positions. In a one-
ment, so several parties often must work party system, the main job of party members
together. This is a situation that may easily is to recruit new members, maintain party
break down and become politically unstable discipline, and carry out the party’s orders.
because of so many competing interests of Elections are an empty exercise because there
the parties. are no rival candidates. One-party systems,
obviously, are not democratic systems.
One-Party System Another type of party
system is the one-party system. In such a Describing Name three different
system, the party and the government are types of third parties and explain why they were
nearly the same thing. In the People’s Republic formed.

276 Chapter 9
David J. & Janice L. Frent Collection/CORBIS
 own. They favor less government regulation
How the Parties Differ of the economy as the best way to promote
the growth of production.
Main Idea Political parties play a large role in Sometimes the differences between the
the decisions made by government. two major parties seem small. Both try to
Civics & You People who share common goals appeal to as many voters as possible. By
often join political parties. Read on to find out about adopting moderate and mainstream positions
the basic differences between the major parties. and avoiding extreme or radical positions, the
major parties hope to attract votes and win
elections. The parties are also similar because
Competing political parties are a necessary the majority of American people generally
agree about many political and social issues.
part of democratic government. They are a
One way to identify the differences
key link between citizens and their elected
between the parties is to read the politi-
officials. They give voters a choice among
cal document, or platform, that each party
candidates and ideas.
writes at its presidential nominating conven-
A basic difference between the major
tion, held every four years. The platform is
parties is their belief in how much the gov-
a series of statements expressing the party’s
ernment should be involved in the lives of
principles, beliefs, and positions on election
Americans. For example, the Democrats
issues. Each individual part of the platform
tend to believe that the federal government
is called a plank. The platform communi-
should be more directly involved in regulat-
cates to voters what the party claims it will
ing the economy and in providing housing,
do if it wins.
income, education, and jobs for the poor. The
Republicans tend to believe that if they help
the nation’s economy grow, poor people will Explaining Why do the two
have a better chance of finding jobs on their major parties seem so similar?

Vocabulary Critical Thinking Activity

1. Write sentences or short para- 4. Comparing Describe the
graphs about political parties basic differences between the 6. Expository Writing Prepare for
in which you use the following views of Thomas Jefferson and a debate on the following state-
terms: political party, two-party Alexander Hamilton regard- ment: The two-party system has
system, third party, platform, plank. ing how government should outlived its usefulness. Choose
operate. either the pro or con side of the
Main Ideas issue and prepare arguments
5. In a diagram like for the side you choose. Pair
2. Identifying What were the first the one below, identify at least up with a classmate who has
two major political parties in three obstacles third parties prepared arguments opposing
the United States? face. yours and debate the issue.
3. Explaining What are the charac-
teristics of one-party systems? Obstacles to
Third Parties
Study CentralTM To review this
section, go to glencoe.com.

Chapter 9 277
Guide to Reading Role of Political
Big Idea
Political and economic Parties Today
institutions evolve to help
individuals and groups accom-
plish their goals. Real World Civics The scene is chaotic, noisy,
Content Vocabulary and boisterous. Representatives from every state crowd
• national committee (p. 279) huge convention centers waving flags, posters, hats, and
• caucus (p. 279)
• precinct (p. 281) anything else on which you can put a candidate’s name.
• ward (p. 281) It is political party convention time. At their conventions,
• political machine (p. 282) political parties gather support for candidates by raising
• direct primary (p. 283)
money and getting the candidate’s message out to voters.
• closed primary (p. 283)
• open primary (p. 283) They discuss the party’s position on important issues and
• plurality (p. 284) officially nominate their candidates.
• majority (p. 284)
• petition (p. 284) Delegates support George W. Bush at the 2004 National
Republican Convention in New York City
Academic Vocabulary
• range (p. 279)
• adjacent (p. 281)
Reading Strategy
Identifying As you read,
identify four functions
of political parties.

na t e
nomi dates
n di
ca
Political Party
Functions

NORTH CAROLINA STANDARDS

Civics and Economics

4.01 Examine the structure and organization of

political parties.
4.02 Describe the election process and the qual-
ifications and procedures for voting.

278
Paul Sancya/AP Images
 National Conventions Every four years, political party delegates gather to select a
ticket—candidates for president and vice president as they did in 1948 in Philadelphia.
Explaining What is the first task for the delegates?

Organization of National Organization

Each party has a national committee made
Political Parties of representatives from every state. This
committee helps raise funds for presidential
Main Idea Democrats and Republicans are elections and organizes the party’s national
organized into 50 state parties and thousands of convention. A national party chairperson
local parties that operate independently of the runs the committee. The chairperson’s main
national organization. job is to manage the office, to direct the com-
mittee staff, and to lead fund-raising efforts.
Civics & You Do you support one of the political
parties? Political parties do everything they can to National Convention The national con-
attract supporters. vention is one of the most important respon-
sibilities of the national committee. Held once
every four years, the national convention is
where party members nominate their can-
The two major parties are organized at the didates for president and vice president of
local, state, and national levels. These lev- the United States. Each party chooses its del-
els are only loosely tied together. There is egates through a combination of presidential
no chain of command that lets the national primary elections and caucuses, or meetings,
organization control state or local party lead- of state and local party organizations.
ers. All the levels, however, have roughly the The delegates’ first job is to write the plat-
same political beliefs, and they are united in form. This task can be difficult because each
their ultimate goal—to help the party win party includes members with a wide range,
election to as many offices as possible. or variety, of positions on key issues.

Chapter 9 279
George Skadding/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
 Nominating the Candidate After the Campaign Committees The major parties
platform has been prepared and approved, also have campaign committees made up of
delegates nominate the party’s presidential members of Congress. These committees work
candidate. The nominating speech for each to elect party members and raise money.
candidate sets off a demonstration, as sup-
porters parade around the convention hall. State and Local Organization
Historically, conventions were suspenseful Each major party has 50 state committees
events where delegates from around the coun- or organizations. In some states the parties
try decided upon their presidential candidate. are well organized, have large staffs, and
The conventions were a grand spectacle on spend a lot of money each year. In others the
television. Today the increasing use of early organization is weak. State committees focus
primary elections, where voters narrow down on electing party candidates to state offices—
the list of candidates, has caused the nomina- governor, attorney general, state legislators,
tion for president to be almost entirely decided and others. They also work to elect their par-
by the time of the convention. ties’ candidates to national offices.

Organization of Political Parties See StudentWorksTM Plus or glencoe.com.

National Chairperson
Congressional
Campaign Committee
National Convention National Committee
Senatorial
Campaign Committee
State Chairperson

State Committee

Local Chairperson

City, Town, or County Committee

Precinct Captain
Precinct Workers

Analyzing Charts

1. Identifying At what level of organization is a

precinct? Who controls the precinct workers?
2. Explaining Why do you think political
parties have three levels: national, state, and
local?

280 Chapter 9
(t)Democratic National Committee. All rights reserved, (b)Republican National Committee. All rights reserved, (t b)Susan Liebold, Republican National Committee. All rights reserved
 Local party organizations consist of thou-
sands of city, town, and county commit-
tees across the country. These committees Emily Nguyen
include people elected by their fellow party
members.

What Is a Precinct? Each city or county

E mily Nguyen, 16, from
Morristown, New Jersey,
knows debate is a big part of
is divided into election districts or precincts. politics. That is one reason she
A precinct is a geographic area that contains takes part in the Junior
a specific number of voters. A precinct may Statesmen of America (JSA).
consist of an entire small town or, in a large QUESTION: What’s JSA?
city, a group of adjacent, or neighboring, ANSWER: It’s a group
neighborhoods. All voters in a precinct cast for high school students
their ballots at the same voting place. that promotes interest in government, politics,
For each precinct, the local party commit- debate, law, and global affairs.
tee appoints a precinct captain, whose job Q: How does it do all that?
is to organize other party members during A: JSA hosts discussions about contemporary
campaigns and encourage voters on Election issues, conventions for students, and summer
Day. The volunteers distribute leaflets, regis- school programs. The group encourages all teen-
ter voters, and try to convince voters to sup- agers to stand up and be heard with its motto
port the party’s candidates. “Democracy is not a spectator sport!”
Several geographically connected precincts Q: Sounds intense. But is it fun?
make up a larger election unit called a ward. A: Yes! The chapter at my school is extremely
Party members in each ward typically elect a active. We attend the triannual regional conven-
volunteer to represent the ward at the local tions, hold debates at our weekly meetings, orga-
party’s next level of organization—the county nize community service projects—and take part
committee. in many other activities.
Q: How will it help your future?
A: Members of JSA learn leadership, managerial,
County Committees and public speaking skills. JSA works solely to
Counties are the largest political units educate America’s youth, with the knowledge
within a state. Both major parties have county that one day they will become lawmakers, law-
committees. A county chairperson, who runs yers, activists, and politicians.
the committee, often has a great deal of politi- Q: How can other teens get involved with JSA?
cal power in the county. If the county is large, A: If there isn’t a chapter at their school, students
state party leaders such as the governor or can visit www.jsa.org for more information.
a U.S. senator may consult with the county ACTION FACT:
chairperson about important appointments, Nguyen can often
such as judgeships. be found playing
Higher-level party leaders depend on soccer with a
precinct and ward leaders to build the party team or referee-
at the “grassroots,” or neighborhood, level. ing youth soccer.
These local leaders have to know what issues
their neighbors are worried about and keep
track of how local political sentiment is run-
ning. At election time they must “deliver the
vote” for party candidates at every level of What is the motto of JSA?
government.

Chapter 9 281
 In this cartoon, Michael
Ramirez makes a comment
on the campaign-finance
reform movement, whose
aim is to regulate donations
to political candidates.
1. How are “special inter-
ests” represented?
2. Why do you think
Ramirez chose this
symbol?
3. Why is money falling off
the back of the truck?
4. Do you think Ramirez
is optimistic or pessi-
mistic that new
campaign-finance
reform measures will
Michael Ramirez/Copley News Service
become law? Explain.

Political Machines unresponsive to the needs of the community.

Political leaders are less accountable to citi-
Sometimes a local party organization
zens when the leaders do not have to worry
becomes so powerful that, year after year,
about getting reelected.
their candidates sweep almost every election.
Such a strong party organization is called a
political machine. One of the most famous— Joining a Political Party
and notorious—political machines was New You do not need to join a political party in
York City’s Tammany Hall. the United States to vote. However, political
This organization ruled New York City in parties offer every citizen a great way to
the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its leader, William get involved in politics. Political parties do
Marcy “Boss” Tweed, and his friends grew rich everything they can to attract members, and
from bribes and kickbacks—extra payments— they welcome whomever wishes to belong.
given by building contractors seeking to do Party membership involves no duties or
business with the city. Eventually, many mem- obligations other than voting. If a member
bers of the Tweed group ended up in prison. of a party chooses to do more, then he or she
At a time in American history when few may contribute money, do volunteer work,
social service agencies existed to help poor or participate in other activities, especially
people and immigrants, political machines during election campaigns. The parties
often served a useful purpose. The machines depend on citizen involvement to accom-
provided needy citizens with jobs, food, fuel, plish their goals.
and help with medical care in return for their
votes. Today most people think of political
machines as harmful. They believe when one Concluding Why is it important
party is in power for too long, it may become to build grassroots support for a party?

282 Chapter 9
Michael Ramirez/Copley News Service
AP Photo/Jim Cole

Nominating Candidates Primary Elections

Today major parties in all states nominate
Main Idea Political parties nominate candi- candidates at all levels of government. The
dates to run for public office. method most commonly used today to nomi-
nate candidates is the direct primary. The
Civics & You Have you ever run for an office at direct primary is an election in which voters
school? Did you choose to run or did someone nomi- choose candidates to represent each party
nate you? Read to find out the role political parties in a general election. In recent years, these
play in selecting nominees for public office. elections have been very competitive, and the
winner of the most primaries is often nomi-
nated by his or her party. There are two main
The individuals who take part in the work forms of the direct primary: closed and open.
of political parties play an important role in Most states hold a closed primary, in
the American system of government. They which only the declared members of a party
select candidates for office. They keep people are allowed to vote for that party’s nominees.
informed and interested in the issues and the For example, only Republicans can vote in
candidates. They try to see that party mem- the Republican Party’s primary.
bers elected to office do a good job. They Rules for how voters declare their party
keep an eye on the opposition party, publicly affiliation vary by state. In some states you
criticizing many of its actions. They also act must declare your party when you register.
as a link between different branches and lev- In others, you do not have to declare your
els of government. party preference until you actually vote.
The parties carry out these activities A few states hold an open primary, in
throughout the year. They are busiest, how- which voters do not need to declare their
ever, at election time. Political parties are the party preference in order to vote for the par-
only organizations that select and present ty’s nominees. In most open-primary states,
candidates for public office. They do this you choose a party in the privacy of the vot-
through the nomination process. ing booth.

Campaigning Candidates for president begin organizing their campaigns long before the
election. Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, campaigning for the 2004 Democratic
nomination, talks to New Hampshire students before the state’s primary election.
Explaining Why do candidates bother to talk to students who cannot vote?

283
 Closed Primaries People who support the
closed primary believe that it helps keep the Other Party Roles
members of one party from crossing over into
the other party’s primary to try to promote Main Idea In addition to nominating candi-
weak candidates (who would then be easy to dates for office, political parties have many other
defeat). An argument against the closed pri- responsibilities.
mary is that it does not permit a truly secret Civics & You Taking part in political parties is an
ballot, since voters must first declare a party important way for citizens to affect government deci-
preference. It also prevents unaffiliated vot- sion making. Read to find out the impact of political
ers from taking part in primary elections in parties on government.
most states.

What Is a Plurality? Sometimes a political

office can have more than one vacancy, and
Although the main purpose of political par-
ties in the United States is to elect candidates
thus each party can nominate more than one
to office, they also play an important role
candidate. Most offices, however, are open to
in helping the people of the United States
only one winner. In these cases, the candidate
practice self-government. The parties enable
who gets the most votes obtains a plurality
people to communicate with their govern-
(the largest number), and wins the election,
ment leaders and help ensure that govern-
even if this means less than 50 percent of the
ment remains responsive to the people. The
votes cast.
parties fulfill this role in a number of ways.
Nominating candidates for office is just one
What Is a Majority? In a few states, how-
of many tasks that political parties perform.
ever, the winner must have a majority. (A
Political parties have several functions that
majority is more than 50 percent of the total
help them fulfill their role in government.
votes.) If no candidate receives a majority,
Political parties do the following:
the party holds a runoff primary between the
two leading candidates with the most votes. • select and support candidates
The winner then becomes the party’s candi-
date in the general election.
• inform citizens
• carry the message of the people to the
Unaffiliated Candidates Candidates government
who are not affiliated with either of the two • operate the government
major parties can get on the ballot for the • act as a watchdog over government
general election in most states by petition. If • serve as a link between different levels
enough qualified voters sign papers declar- and branches of government
ing support for a candidate, he or she goes on
the ballot for the general election. Campaigning for Candidates After a
political party nominates its candidates for
Contrasting What is the office, it begins to campaign for them in the
difference between an open and a closed primary? general election. The parties raise money
for the campaign. They also help candidates
inform voters about their ideas and views on
public issues. A key role for party volunteers
is to make sure party supporters are regis-
Student Web Activity Visit glencoe.com and complete
the Chapter 9 Web Activity.
tered to vote and to ensure that on Election
Day these voters go to the polls.

284 Chapter 9
 is known as a grassroots movement. When
David McNew/Getty Images

Informing Citizens Running a campaign

serves another important purpose in a a grassroots movement becomes strong
democracy: it informs citizens about pub- enough, its ideas will probably be taken over
lic issues and the way government works. by a political party.
To get their views across, party candidates
make speeches, publish and distribute pam- Operating the Government Political
phlets, and place ads in newspapers and parties play a key role in running and staff-
magazines and on television and radio. ing the government. Congress and the state
legislatures are organized and carry on their
Carrying the People’s Message In addi- work on the basis of party affiliation. Party
tion to presenting their views to the people, leaders in the legislature make every effort
the parties listen to what the people have to to see that their members support the party’s
say. Voters have ideas and concerns of their position when considering legislation.
own and issues they want leaders to address. Many government jobs are civil service
Sometimes people in different areas feel jobs gained on the basis of open, competitive
very strongly about an issue. They may examinations and merit. However, the presi-
oppose a government policy or want stron- dent, governors, and some mayors have the
ger laws to protect the environment. A politi- power to appoint their trusted supporters to
cal movement that begins with the people many high-level jobs.

Spreading the Message Concerned citizens use various tactics to make the public
aware of their concerns. These California citizens hand out information before a special
election. Explaining What is a grassroots movement?

285
 These supporters will usually be party mutual problems. Likewise, when a major-
members who believe in their party’s ideas ity of legislators belongs to the same party
and want the opportunity to serve in govern- as a chief executive, cooperation between
ment. If a chief executive has jobs to fill but the two branches is likely to be better than
does not have enough high-level supporters if they belong to opposing parties.
to fill them, he or she often seeks recommen-
dations from party leaders. Acting as a Watchdog Between elections,
political parties act as “watchdogs” over
Linking the Different Levels of government activities. The party that is out
Government Just as political parties of power—the party that lost the election for
carry the people’s message to the govern- president, governor, or Congress—watches
ment, they also help different levels and the actions of the party in power for any mis-
branches of government cooperate with takes or misuse of power. This opposition
one another. For example, suppose the party may criticize the party in power and
mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, and offer its own solutions to political problems.
the governor of South Carolina are both In this way, the opposition party hopes to
Democrats. They are likely to have simi- attract voters. Competition between parties
lar goals and ideas. They may be personal forces the party in power to pay attention to
friends. Perhaps they have worked together the will of the people.
on election campaigns or party business
in the past. These connections may make Explaining What is a political
it easier for them to join forces to tackle party’s connection to legislation?

Vocabulary Critical Thinking 7. Understanding Cause and Effect

The two major parties are criti-
1. Explain the following terms by 5. Evaluating In your opinion, cized as being out of touch with
using each in a complete sen- which is a better system, the the needs of many Americans.
tence: national committee, caucus, open primary or the closed How might a successful third
precinct, ward, political machine, primary? Explain. party affect the two major
direct primary, closed primary, parties?
6. On a web diagram
open primary, plurality, majority,
like the one below, write the
and petition.
campaigning roles that political Activity
Main Ideas party members play in support-
ing their party. 8. Creative Writing Create a poster
2. Explaining What is the pur- y that presents a democratic and
one
em cost-efficient system for select-
pose of a party’s national rais
convention? Role of Campaigning ing nominees for president.
3. Explaining In what way do
political parties help manage
the government?
Study CentralTM To review this
4. Identify three ways in which section, go to glencoe.com.
parties and their candidates
inform the public.

286 Chapter 9
 What Is a
Political Party?
A political party is a group of
individuals outside of govern-
ment that organizes to win
elections, to operate the govern-
ment, and to determine policy.

Students speak out on issues

Organization Comparing Parties

• Each party has a national • One way to compare political
committee and congress- parties is to study their party
Candidates are ready to ional campaign committees. platforms, which are declara-
answer questions
Each party also has 50 state tions of each party’s beliefs
committees and many local and positions on major issues.
Political Parties Form party organizations. • The platform is made of
• In the past, some local party planks, which are the party’s
• Shortly after our nation organizations became so official positions on specific
began, two political parties powerful that their candi- issues such as education,
formed. dates won almost every elec- crime, and foreign policy.
tion. These were known as
• The basic difference between
political machines.
The president leads his
political party
the two parties today is their
beliefs in how much the gov-
ernment should be involved
What Political
in Americans’ lives. Parties Do
• In the United States, we have
• Select candidates
a two-party system, which
means that two major par-
• Inform the public
ties—the Democrats and
• Coordinate policy making
the Republicans—dominate
• Balance competing interests
national politics.
• Run campaigns

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287
(tl)AP Photo/Jim Cole, (tr)David Bacon/The Image Works, (b)AP Images
 North Carolina End-of-Course Test
Civics and Economics Practice
TEST-TAKING TIP
Preconceived ideas about what will be on the test may lead you to
assume the meaning of a question before you finish reading it. Read
every word in each question to avoid wrong answers based on false
assumptions.

Reviewing Vocabulary 6. Which third party would like to replace

capitalism with worker-owned factories?
Directions: Choose the word(s) that best completes the sentence.
A Reform Party
1. A political party’s belief, position, or principle B Libertarian Party
on an election issue is called a(n) . C Communist Party
A idea C plank D Prohibitionist Party
B platform D ideology
Section 2 (pp. 278–286)
2. Each party chooses its delegates to the national
convention through a combination of elections 7. What is the delegates’ first job at a party’s
and . national convention?
A petitions C political machines A nominating candidates
B caucuses D national B writing the party platform
committees
C raising large amounts of money
3. All voters in a cast their ballots at the D listening to nominating speeches
same voting place.
8. How do candidates unaffiliated with either of
A ward C political party
the two major parties get on the ballot in a
B precinct D direct primary
general election?
4. An election in which only the declared members A by winning an open primary
of a party are allowed to vote for that party’s B by running in a direct primary
nominees is a(n) .
C by collecting voters’ signatures
A direct primary C open primary
D by receiving a majority of votes
B general election D closed primary
9. What political organization of the past used to
Reviewing Main Ideas win elections consistently?
Directions: Choose the best answers to the following questions. A idealogical party
B whig party
Section 1 (pp. 272–277)
C precinct organization
5. In what year did Democrats and Republicans
become the major political parties in the United D political machine
States?
A 1824
B 1828
C 1854
D 1860

288 Chapter 9
Critical Thinking Document-Based Questions
Directions: Base your answers to questions 10 and 11 on the diagram Directions: Analyze the following document and answer the short-
below and your knowledge of Chapter 9. answer questions that follow.

More directly involved in

The following passage is from the keynote speech
regulating economy by senatorial candidate Barack Obama given at the
Democratic National Convention in 2004.
Democrats
Provide housing, income, For alongside our famous individualism, there’s
education, and jobs for the poor
another ingredient in the American saga.
A belief that we are connected as one people.

Less regulation Poor people If there’s a child on the south side of Chicago who
Republicans helps nation’s have better can’t read, that matters to me, even if it’s not my
economy grow chance on their child. If there’s a senior citizen somewhere who
own can’t pay for their prescription and having to
choose between medicine and the rent, that
10. Consider how different persons might view the makes my life poorer, even if it’s not my
two major parties. Which voter would most grandparent. If there’s an Arab American family
likely support the Republican Party? being rounded up without benefit of an attorney
A a homeless senior or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It’s
B a low-income student that fundamental belief—I am my brother’s
keeper, I am my sister’s keeper— that makes this
C a corporate executive country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our
D a government regulator individual dreams, yet still come together as a
single American family. “E pluribus unum.” Out of
11. Compare the discussion of third parties in the many, one.
chapter with the facts in the diagram. Which —Barack Obama
third party has goals similar to those of
Republicans?
12. What two priorities of the Democratic Party
A Libertarian Party are alluded to in Obama’s speech?
B Communist Party 13. How does Obama suggest that the Democratic
C Prohibitionist Party Party is the party of diversity? Back up your
D Socialist Labor Party answer with proof from the passage.

Informational Writing
14. Write a short description of the state and local
organization of the political parties. Discuss
the differences from state to state, the divisions
of the organization, and the common focus in
all the states.
STOP

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