How the History of Political Parties began:
The political parties as we know them did not begin to develop until the end of the 17th century.
The ancient Greeks, who were pioneers in the development of democracy, did not have organized political parties in the modern sense.
The senate of the ancient Romans had two groups that represented people with different interests: the patricians and the plebeians. The patricians represented noble families. The plebeians represented the rich merchants and the middle class. Although these two groups often mixed, they sometimes voted as factions, or parties, on particular issues that were important to the groups they represented.
For many centuries after the fall of Rome (476 AD), the citizens of Europe had little voice in politics. Therefore, there were no real political parties, only factions that supported a noble family or another. The political parties developed as representative assemblies gained power.
Political parties in the United States:
The leaders of the American Revolution did not like the idea of parties and political battles between parties. After his retirement from public life in 1796, George Washington warned Americans against "factions" (parties).
Hamilton and other leaders who wanted a strong central government came together to implement their policies. In 1787 they began to call themselves the federalists. This was the first political party in the United States. In 1796, anti-federalists gathered around Jefferson. The members of Jefferson's group called themselves Democratic-Republicans.
Democrats and Republicans:
The defeat of the Southern Confederation weakened the Democrats, who were associated in the minds of voters with the cause of the South.
For many years Republicans were the main party. They favored commercial interests and high tariffs (taxes on imports).
The Democrats supported free trade. They attracted farmers and immigrants who entered the country between the Civil War and the turn of the century.
Today, both parties agree in general social security, unemployment insurance, basic foreign policy and civil rights. The issues on which they often disagree are not so much the objectives as the means: how to keep the economy growing, protect the environment and maintain a strong national defense.
The United States has a two-party system. The Democrats and Republicans have alternated in power since before the Civil War, mainly because they have presented candidates and policies that attract the majority of Americans.
But smaller parties, or third parties, have often played a role in politics. Third parties focus on themes and ideas. Sometimes they get enough support to affect the outcome of the elections.
How they work in the United States today:
The main political parties in the United States are highly organized. The venue is the smallest local division. The parties are led by state and county committees.
Committee members may be elected in the primaries, elected at state conventions, or appointed by party officials.
The two main parties also have national committees, composed of one man and one woman from each of the 50 states and territories of the United States.
Every four years, the parties celebrate national conventions.
Today's games use computers to draw up lists of potential supporters and conduct public opinion polls to explore voter views on certain issues.
They use advertising to shape public opinion and compete for favorable media coverage for their candidates.
Election campaigns in the United States are enormously expensive and fundraising is an important part of party work.
