Political Parties

There are three features that characterize the party system in the USA: 1) two major parties (the Democrats and the Republicans) alternating in power, 2) lack of ideology (except for the Com­munists), and 3) lack of unity and party discipline.

The United States has had only two major parties throughout its history. When the nation was founded, two political groupings emerged — the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Since then two major parties have alternated in power.

There are no clear differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. Democrats and Republicans support the same overall political and economic goals. Neither party seeks to shake the foundation of America's economy or social structure. In general, the Republicans tend to be more conservative. They are for business, low taxation and are usually sponsored by upper classes. The Democrats tend to be more liberal and to have more support among the working classes, homeless people, ethnic minorities, because they are for social programs. They are sponsored by trade unions.

There arc minor parties, also called " third parties". In most cases minor parties have been assimilated by the larger two or have just faded away.

The main function of the parties is to run the election campaign The sitting of the convention announces the candidate for the elections. The way candidates are elected explains why two major parties have come to dominate the American political scene. Elections are held according to the single-member district system based on the principle of " winner takes all". Under this system only one candidate — the one with the most votes — is elected to a given office from any district. Many people will not vote for a minor party candidate; they feel they are throwing away a vote since only one person wins.

The loose organization of America's political parties helps, explain the lack of unity within parties. In the USA parties are, decentralized. The membership is not fixed. The members of the parties have no membership cards, pay no membership dues and have no obligations to attend meetings or even vote for the party. Disagreement among members of the same party is common.

Political parties, interest groups and elections are opportunities' for citizens to participate in the democratic process. Many Americans, however, are politically uninvolved.

1. What features characterize the party system in the USA? 2. What are the two major parties in the USA? 3. What is the difference between them? 4. Are there minor parties in the USA? 5. What is the main function of the parties? 6. Why is there the lack of unity within parties? 7. Do party members have to pay membership dues in America? 8. Are all American citizens politically active? 9. Can you compare Russian and American political parties?