Political Parties in the United States
A political party is a group of citizens or voters with similar views on public issues who work together to put their ideas into action in the government and to elect candidates. They are organizations that try to get political power so that their ideas can become laws or government policies.
The United States has a two-party system. This means that there are mainly two political parties competing for control and running for elections in the U.S., the Democratic and Republican parties. The Democratic and Republican parties have been the two major parties since the 1860’s. As of September
2016, all members of Congress are members of the Democratic or Republican parties, except for Senator Angus King, Independent from Maine and Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont. Being labeled as “Independent” means that the person is not a member of a political party.
Two MAJOR Parties
REPUBLICAN PARTY
The Republican Party believes that the federal government should play a small role in people's lives and allow private citizens and businesses to provide services for citizens in need. They favor lower taxes, less government spending and more freedom for businesses and individuals.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The Democratic Party believes that the federal government should take a more active role in people's lives, particularly those who are in need. This means that they are often in favor of creating and paying for government programs and services to help people in need.
The two major political parties have the most support from the public so it is nearly impossible for third parties to win elections. Third parties are political parties that often form on the basis of one or a few issues. These issues might be related to a foreign or domestic affair and, because the concern is so narrow, it is difficult to gain support of enough people to elect a candidate to public office. For example, the Green Party believes that the government should mainly focus on saving the environment, nonviolence and promoting equality. Third party candidates have never won a presidential election and rarely win election to other offices. Below are some examples of current third parties that exist in the United States.
Examples of THIRD Parties
COMMUNIST PARTY USA LIBERTARIAN PARTY SOCIALIST PARTY USA
The Communist Party USA believes the government should control the entire
economy and control all production and distribution of goods. They believe that working people should control their own lives and futures through equal distribution of wealth. Additionally, the Communist Party opposes all foreign conflicts.
The Libertarian Party believes in individual freedom and that the only purpose of government is to
protect this freedom. The Libertarian Party believes in a world where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, which creates a world of peace, harmony, and opportunity.
The Socialist Party USA believes people should own and control all businesses through
democratically controlled public agencies (agencies that are created based on the people’s choice/election) or other groups. The Socialist Party supports eliminating the power of government and social classes to create an equal society.
A political party is a group of citizens or voters with similar views on public issues who work together to put their ideas into action in the government and to elect candidates. They are organizations that try to get political power so that their ideas can become laws or government policies.
The United States has a two-party system. This means that there are mainly two political parties competing for control and running for elections in the U.S., the Democratic and Republican parties. The Democratic and Republican parties have been the two major parties since the 1860’s. As of September
2016, all members of Congress are members of the Democratic or Republican parties, except for Senator Angus King, Independent from Maine and Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont. Being labeled as “Independent” means that the person is not a member of a political party.
Two MAJOR Parties
REPUBLICAN PARTY
The Republican Party believes that the federal government should play a small role in people's lives and allow private citizens and businesses to provide services for citizens in need. They favor lower taxes, less government spending and more freedom for businesses and individuals.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The Democratic Party believes that the federal government should take a more active role in people's lives, particularly those who are in need. This means that they are often in favor of creating and paying for government programs and services to help people in need.
The two major political parties have the most support from the public so it is nearly impossible for third parties to win elections. Third parties are political parties that often form on the basis of one or a few issues. These issues might be related to a foreign or domestic affair and, because the concern is so narrow, it is difficult to gain support of enough people to elect a candidate to public office. For example, the Green Party believes that the government should mainly focus on saving the environment, nonviolence and promoting equality. Third party candidates have never won a presidential election and rarely win election to other offices. Below are some examples of current third parties that exist in the United States.
Examples of THIRD Parties
COMMUNIST PARTY USA LIBERTARIAN PARTY SOCIALIST PARTY USA
The Communist Party USA believes the government should control the entire
economy and control all production and distribution of goods. They believe that working people should control their own lives and futures through equal distribution of wealth. Additionally, the Communist Party opposes all foreign conflicts.
The Libertarian Party believes in individual freedom and that the only purpose of government is to
protect this freedom. The Libertarian Party believes in a world where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, which creates a world of peace, harmony, and opportunity.
The Socialist Party USA believes people should own and control all businesses through
democratically controlled public agencies (agencies that are created based on the people’s choice/election) or other groups. The Socialist Party supports eliminating the power of government and social classes to create an equal society.