What is a Democrat? What is a Republican? What do they individually stand for? American politics is dominated primarily by the Democratic and the Republican parties. Both parties differ greatly in their philosophies and ideals.
This videoconference and lesson plan focuses on comparing and contrasting the Republican and Democratic parties and their platforms. In this lesson, students will examine political parties and their role in the U.S. political system. Our presenters will examine current issues of the presidential election and describe their party’s platforms on such issues as the Economy, National Security, Education, Immigration, Health Care, and many more. “PARTIES and PLATFORMS” is the Virtual School’s study of political parties and their platforms. American political parties are organized on a national, state, and local basis.
PARTIES
Political parties are key players in American politics, but the Constitution does not mention political parties. In fact, many of the founders, including George Washington, distrusted permanent political parties, fearing that they would become too powerful.
American political parties differ from those in many countries, where parties are often organized to promote a particular political or economic ideology such as socialism, communism, fascism, or capitalism. Other political parties may represent a given economic interest such as labor or farmers. Some political parties have been organized to promote a religious group or interest.
In contrast, American political parties are generally not ideological. Instead, they are made up of a loose collaboration of interests that want to win the next election. While the parties might differ on the issues, they seek to appeal to the widest possible spectrum of the electorate.
PLATFORMS and PLANKS
Every four years, the political parties hold a national convention to nominate a presidential and vice presidential candidate. They also meet to approve a party platform of issues and positions upon which the candidates will run.
A party platform is a set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political issues. Each party's platform is broken down into “planks,” or declarations that speak to each specific issue.
A party platform usually is a list of support for, or opposition to, controversial topics. Individual topics are often called planks of the platform.
Party platforms and their planks are very important to the electoral process. They give the candidates a clear political position with which they can campaign. They give voters a sense of what the candidates believe in, the issues they think are important, and how, if elected, they will address them.
REGISTER for “PARTIES and PLATFORMS of Democrats and Republicans” videoconference on THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012.
Presenters are Larry Woods - for the Democratic Party; and Adam Nickas - for the Republican party
COST: $75 for each videoconference session.
FORMAT: 45 minutes in length. Format is 25-30 minutes presentation and then 15-20 minutes for question and answer session.
Target Audience: Grades 5-12
TIME: Two sessions: one at 9:00 AM CENTRAL TIME and one at 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
