Political Parties
Political Party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in
the government. They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to
promote the collective good.
There are two main political parties in the USA – the Democratic Party and the Republican
Party.
Structure:
The major political parties are organized at the local (usually county), state, and national
levels. Party leaders and activists are involved in choosing people to run for office, managing
and financing campaigns, and developing positions and policies that appeal to party
constituents. The national party organizations play key roles in presidential elections.
Local organization:
Political parties operate at the local level in municipal and county elections (though many
cities choose officials — mayors and members of city council — through nonpartisan
elections. In partisan elections, the party is involved in identifying candidates, providing
professional staff, and taking positions on issues of immediate concern to voters. The party
leadership recognizes that the interaction between party workers, candidates, and voters is
important.
💡 In Partisan Elections, candidates from multiple parties run against each other. In
Non-Partisan Elections, candidates do not declare a party affiliation and run
against each other.
State organization:
At a state caucus, party members select their candidates. In many states, the executive
officials — governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and attorney general — are elected as
individuals.
Caucus - a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference
among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend a convention.
National organization:
At the national level, political parties run candidates for Congress and the presidency. Each
party has its own national committee made up of party leaders, elected officials, and the
Political Parties 1
, chairs of the state party organizations. The chair of the national committee is chosen by the
party's candidate for president.
The national convention:
The national committee loosely runs the party between national conventions. As noted
earlier, a party's choices for president and vice president are nominated at the national
convention. The delegates to the convention are already committed to vote for particular
candidates based on the results of the state primary or caucus voting. While some delegates
are appointed by the state party organization, the overwhelming majority are selected through
primaries and caucuses
Strengths and weaknesses of political parties
Strengths: Weaknesses:
Political parties are able to present political Political parties might have a selfish
information to the voting population in a propaganda that could hurt national interest.
manner that is readily understandable. Political parties could create factionalism.
Political parties provide balance through the
Political parties could ruin individuality.
accommodation of various interests and
opinions. Political parties could encourage corruption.
Political parties prevent unexpected shifts in Political parties could deprive the country
political trends that threaten stability in the of talented individuals who can contribute
to its success
government.
Political parties encourage political
participation.
Ideologies
Democrats: Republican:
Liberal, left wing Conservative, right wing
Minimum wages and progressive taxation, Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for
i.e., higher tax rates for higher income anyone (including the wealthy) and that
brackets. wages should be set by the free market.
Based on community and social Based on individual rights and justice
responsibility
Increased spending on military
Decreased spending on military
Pro-life
Should remain legal; support Roe v Wade
Government regulations hinder free
market capitalism and job growth.
Political Parties 2
Political Party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in
the government. They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to
promote the collective good.
There are two main political parties in the USA – the Democratic Party and the Republican
Party.
Structure:
The major political parties are organized at the local (usually county), state, and national
levels. Party leaders and activists are involved in choosing people to run for office, managing
and financing campaigns, and developing positions and policies that appeal to party
constituents. The national party organizations play key roles in presidential elections.
Local organization:
Political parties operate at the local level in municipal and county elections (though many
cities choose officials — mayors and members of city council — through nonpartisan
elections. In partisan elections, the party is involved in identifying candidates, providing
professional staff, and taking positions on issues of immediate concern to voters. The party
leadership recognizes that the interaction between party workers, candidates, and voters is
important.
💡 In Partisan Elections, candidates from multiple parties run against each other. In
Non-Partisan Elections, candidates do not declare a party affiliation and run
against each other.
State organization:
At a state caucus, party members select their candidates. In many states, the executive
officials — governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and attorney general — are elected as
individuals.
Caucus - a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference
among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend a convention.
National organization:
At the national level, political parties run candidates for Congress and the presidency. Each
party has its own national committee made up of party leaders, elected officials, and the
Political Parties 1
, chairs of the state party organizations. The chair of the national committee is chosen by the
party's candidate for president.
The national convention:
The national committee loosely runs the party between national conventions. As noted
earlier, a party's choices for president and vice president are nominated at the national
convention. The delegates to the convention are already committed to vote for particular
candidates based on the results of the state primary or caucus voting. While some delegates
are appointed by the state party organization, the overwhelming majority are selected through
primaries and caucuses
Strengths and weaknesses of political parties
Strengths: Weaknesses:
Political parties are able to present political Political parties might have a selfish
information to the voting population in a propaganda that could hurt national interest.
manner that is readily understandable. Political parties could create factionalism.
Political parties provide balance through the
Political parties could ruin individuality.
accommodation of various interests and
opinions. Political parties could encourage corruption.
Political parties prevent unexpected shifts in Political parties could deprive the country
political trends that threaten stability in the of talented individuals who can contribute
to its success
government.
Political parties encourage political
participation.
Ideologies
Democrats: Republican:
Liberal, left wing Conservative, right wing
Minimum wages and progressive taxation, Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for
i.e., higher tax rates for higher income anyone (including the wealthy) and that
brackets. wages should be set by the free market.
Based on community and social Based on individual rights and justice
responsibility
Increased spending on military
Decreased spending on military
Pro-life
Should remain legal; support Roe v Wade
Government regulations hinder free
market capitalism and job growth.
Political Parties 2
