Previous Class: How and Why Parties Change and Adapt
Next Class: Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making

Objective: Explain how structural barriers impact third-party and independent candidates.

Starter: How often do Republicans and Democrats vote together on bills?

1.How accurate was your prediction?

2.What is one trend you see in the data?

3.What are two causes of this trend?

4.What is one consequence of this trend?

5.Is this good for the average American?

6.Explain why the divide between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate differs from the House.

7.How does this trend affect the ability of the president to govern?

8.If you extrapolate from the data, how many crossover votes do you imagine there will be in 2020?

9.Explain the connection between the data and the fact that less than 10% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing.

Recap: Explain why and how political parties change and adapt.

Review Game

Word of the Day

Grassroots
  • Define it
  • Give an example
  • Can you think of a grassroots movement in the contemporary U.S.?
  • How does President Trump build grassroots support for his policy agenda?
  • Why didn't Bernie Sanders get the same grassroots support he did in 2016?

Reasons the U.S. has a Two Party System

  1. Similar core political values
  2. Tradition
  3. Single-member districts
  4. Ballot access
  5. Cost of campaigns

Types & Roles of Third Parties

Third parties in the United States form for a number of reasons.  Though they tend not to win elections, they still play an important role for American democracy.  Let's discover their impact!

​2AB     4B

Know Your Third Parties

In a group, research a contemporary third party and create a presentation (may not be a poster or a slideshow) which addresses each of the following:
  • Origins of the party
  • Overview of the party’s platform
  • Electoral results (consider local elections)
  • Role in the political process
Contemporary Third Parties: Libertarian Party, Constitution Party, Green Party, Justice Party, America First Party, Reform Party, Socialist Party USA, Independent American Party, Working Families Party, U.S. Pirate Party

Closer: Explain how structural barriers impact third-party and independent candidates.

On Deck

Next Topic: Interest Groups Influencing Policy
Textbook: Read Sections 10.1-10.3
Quiz Next Class: Political Parties