American Political Parties

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Presidential Elections: The Electoral Process at Work

Living in a democracy is great: it creates a platform for opportunity and equality unlike any other political system. But the system is only as strong as those who make it, and the American electoral process depends on committed voters and civic-minded individuals to keep it running fairly. In 2008, Americans are once again faced with the central component in preserving the democratic system—voting for president. This guide will refresh your memory on the history of the electoral process, show you how to register to vote, and suggest some resources for would-be volunteers.

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History of the U.S. Electoral Process

The United States developed an electoral process based on democratic ideals. Studying the history ... read more »

The Electoral College

As was demonstrated in the 2000 election, there’s more that goes into winning the Presidency ... read more »

American Political Parties

Although there are two major American political parties, many others exist on the fringes of the bipartisan system. If you’re not sure exactly what the platforms of some of the more esoteric parties are, use this section of the guide to find out. You’ll also find the official Web sites for the Democratic and Republican parties.

Dulcinea's Insight

Small parties often adopt major candidates for their tickets. For example, the Democratic candidate sometimes serves as the primary candidate for the Liberal party, and the leading Republican candidate sometimes serves as the name on the Libertarian party ticket.

Most or all of these parties have national committees, but they also have state or local committees that can be great sources of information. Use these local resources to get directly involved.

Dulcinea's Picks

For help determining what party suits you best …

Political Compass offers a test for you to determine where you stand on a political scale that goes beyond the basic Left vs. Right framework. Questions are thoughtful and varied, and the outcome of this detailed test shows you where you stand on a graph that measures Left–Right as well as Authoritarian–Libertarian.

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To learn more about the various political parties …

Politics1 is a nonpartisan guide to American politics and elections. This link is a directory to U.S. political parties, with hyperlinks to profiles of important members of each party, many of whom are also candidates for the 2008 presidential election. You’ll also find links to major party-affiliated organizations, as well as descriptions and links to the third parties. The site offers a broad view of the many political perspectives in the United States.

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The Democratic Party hosts this Web site, which provides updates on national and local news. Visit “Our Party” for information on the party’s platforms, including its strategy, history and affiliations. Visit the “Agenda” link for a list of topics that the party finds most pressing, or go to “People” to see how the Democratic Party responds to the needs of your particular demographic.

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GOP.com clearly explains where the Republican Party stands on the most discussed topics of the day. Visit “Issues,” and click on a topic for statistics and background information related to specific themes, such as social security and legal reform. The site makes registering to vote, volunteering, and donating simple. Active involvement is strongly encouraged; write a letter to the editor, register to volunteer or vote, or sign a petition from the homepage.

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