The Role of Political Parties in the Legislative Process

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Overview

During this lesson students will investigate how political parties influence Members of Congress and debate the importance of political parties.

 

Grade Levels

9 – 12

 

Objectives

Students will:

• define the term political party;
• explain the role of political parties; and
• describe what the country would be like without political parties.

Estimated Time

2 days

 

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: How a Member Decides to Vote
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Projection device
• Worksheet 1
• Worksheet 2

Procedure

Day 1

1. Use a projection device to project the How a Member Decides to Vote E-Learning Module. Complete the activity as a class.
2. Make sure students understand that a political party is an organization that seeks to gain control of government by organizing people who share the same views on issues and by running candidates for public office. Discuss the role of political parties. Have students discuss whether or not their or their parents’ opinion of certain political parties influenced them during the activity. Then have students explain whether or not they think political parties have too much influence in the legislative process.
3. Tell students that George Washington saw no need for political parties and was unhappy when they began to develop. The first political parties formed because Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton disagreed about how much power the Federal Government should have and how much should be left in the hands of the states.
4. Tell your students that they will conduct a debate about political parties. Divide the class into three groups. One group will defend political parties and explain their importance. A second group will take the stance that political parties are not necessary and the country would actually be better without them. The third group will act as spectators.
5. For homework, have students answer the questions on Worksheet 1.

Day 2

1. Allow students to debate the importance of political parties. Flip a coin to decide which group will get to present its main ideas first.
2. Tell the spectators to take good notes during the debate.
3. Have the two groups present their opening statements.
4. Have the winner of the coin flip present the group’s main arguments.
5. Allow the second group to reply to the argument. Then allow the first group to respond to this.
6. Allow the second group to present its main arguments.
7. Allow the first group to reply to that argument. Then allow the second group to respond to this.
8. Allow media spectators to ask questions.
9. Have the spectators vote to determine a winner of the debate.
10. For homework, have students answer questions on Worksheet 2.

Extension Activity

Explain to students that almost everyone is familiar with the Republican and Democrat parties; but ask students to explain the basic position of the two parties toward the role of government and the issues of the day. Tell students that other parties exist. Have students research some of the other parties and learn what are their basic positions on issues and the role of government.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Define the term political party.
2. Describe how political parties influence politicians to vote.
3. Describe how citizens would engage in politics without political parties.

Lesson Plan Feedback

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