The document discusses the origins and roles of political parties in the United States. It describes how the early Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties evolved from disagreements over the ratification of the Constitution. It also outlines the typical membership demographics of today's two main parties, Democrats and Republicans. Additionally, it summarizes several notable third parties in the US and categorizes them based on their ideological focus or origins.

1. Chapter 5 section 2, 3, 4, 5 Political Parties

4. 2 out of 3 Americans follow the allegiance to a party based on their parents.

6. Reform Party – Formed by Ross Perot, trade agreements to protect American jobs.

7. Constitution Party – Anti-tax party, pro-life, pro-school prayer, opposes gun control, immigration, free trade, UN, gay rights.

9. America First Party – Splinter from reform party, promotes Christian beliefs

10. Green Party – Committed to environment, nonviolence

11. Socialist Labor Party – Marxist party, collectivism

12. Socialist Party – Anti-communist, non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society.

14. Federalist Party – Alexander Hamilton = worked for a stronger National Government.

15. Anti-federalist – Thomas Jefferson = Limited role for National Government. Later they became the Jeffersonian Republicans or Democratic-Republicans.

16. After Washington, John Adams (Federalist) defeated Jefferson. Jefferson defeated incumbent in next election (incumbent is the current officeholder.)

18. Example – Socialist, Socialist Labor, Communist, Libertarian

20. Example – Free Soil Party – opposed the spread of slavery.

21. Example – American Party (also called the “Know Nothings” opposed Irish-Catholic immigration in the 1850's.

22. Example – Right to Life party opposes abortion.

24. Example: the Greenback Party – tried to take advantage of agrarian discontent from 1876 through 1884.

25. Example: the Populist Party – demanded public ownership of railroads, telephone and telegraph companies, lower tariffs, and the adoption of the initiative and referendum.

27. Example: From the Republicans - Theodore Roosevelt's “Bull-Moose Party” Progressive Party of 1912, Robert La Follette's Progressive Party of 1924.

28. Example: From the Democrats – Henry Wallace's Progressive Party and the States' Rights (Dixiecrat) Party of 1948 and George Wallace's American Independent Party of 1968.

30. “spoiler role” - can pull votes from one of the major parties.

31. 1912 election – Republican split – Theodore Roosevelt split votes with William H. Taft ending up with Woodrow Wilson becoming President.

34. National chairperson is the leader of the national committee.

35. Each party has a campaign committee in each house of Congress.

38. precinct – is the smallest unit of election administration. You vote in your precinct.

40. 1. Sharp drop in the number of voters willing to identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats. More claiming independent.

41. 2. Split-ticket voting – voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election.

42. 3. Various structural changes and reforms (like changes in campaign finance laws.)

43. 4. Use of technology for campaigning.

44. 5. Single-issue organizations