Political Parties: Course Map & Recommended Resources
Overview
Political Parties
- Explain the role political parties play in a democratic political system
- Describe the reasons for the two-party system in American politics
- Discuss the contributions of third parties in American politics
- Compare and contrast a two-party system and a multiparty system
- Explain the decentralized structure of political parties in American federalism
- Describe the tactics employed by political parties to achieve their political goals
- Explain how American political parties have evolved over time including the transition of party-centered politics to candidate-centered politics
Recommended Textbooks
Main Text: American Politics and Government in the Information Age
Chapter 10: Political Parties
Main Text: American Government - Lumen Learning
Module 9: Political Parties
Alternative Text: Boundless Political Science
Web-Based and Multimedia Resources
Web-Based Resources
Multimedia Resources
Discussion Questions and Key Concepts
Discussion Questions
Trace the historical roots and development of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Identify the reasons why the US only has two major political parties.
What roles do third parties play?
Is a vote for a third party a “wasted vote”? Explain.
Many have suggested that the two parties and the electorate are polarized today. In what ways do you see the parties polarized? What effect has this had on issues such as immigration being resolved?
Key Terms or Concepts (Define):
Factional party
Single-issue party
Single-member districts
Plurality voting
Proportional representations
Supreme Court Cases
Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2016)