Assignment: Political Parties
Complete both Part A and Part B.
Part A: Democrat and Republican Parties
Visit the web sites of the two major political parties to see what is in their party platform regarding the position taken on some of the current political issues. Answer the following questions:
Use complete sentences and cite any additional sources used.
·What do the parties have to say about the current issues:
o immigration o gun Laws
o Civil rights o Social Security
o healthcare o oil and energy
o reproductive rights
o education
o environment
·How would each party's political ideology be characterized? Extreme left or right? Moderately left of right? or somewhere else on the spectrum? Why?
·Do you agree totally with one of the two parties? Do you agree with some of the stances on issues of each party?
Part B: Minor Parties (use complete sentences and cite any additional sources used)
Besides the republicans and democrats, many smaller parties or third parties, such as the Libertarians, Reform Party and Green Party also have sites. Select one minor party.
A good site to go to is www.politics1.com Then click on parties and scroll down to third parties. Identify a minor party and answer the following questions:
·What particular issues does the party try to draw attention to in order to shape public policy?
·What side of the would the party be characterized as extreme left or right, moderately left of right, or somewhere else on the spectrum? Why?
·Is it closer to the republicans or democrats?
·Why is it a separate party and not a coalition within one of the big parties?