CH. 6 - SEC. 1

Voters and Voter Behavior

The Right to Vote

Democratic government can succeed only if its citizens are willing to vote. The history of the United States has been marked by a steady expansion of the electorate through the eliminations of restrictions on voting qualifications.

CH. 5 - SEC. 5

Political Parties

Party Organization

The major parties of the United States have a decentralized structure, and the different parts and elements work together primarily during national elections. The parties themselves have been in decline, or losing influence, since the 1960s.

CH. 5 - SEC. 4

Political Parties

The Minor Parties
Many minor parties have been active in American politics. They provide alternatives to the positions of the major parties, and sometimes have affected particular elections and shaped public policies.

CH. 5 - SEC. 3

Political Parties

The Two-Party System in America
The origins and history of political parties in the United States help explain why the two major parties work today and how they affect American government.

CH. 5 - SEC. 2

Political Parties

The Two-Party System
The two-party system in the United States is a product of historical forces, our electoral system, and the ideological consensus of the American people. It provides more political stability than a multiparty system and more choice than a one-party system.

CH. 5 - SEC. 1

Political Parties

What They Do
Political Parties are essential to democratic government. In the United States, political parties have shaped the way the government works. Today, the major parties perform several important functions without which our government could not function.

CH. 4 - SEC. 3

Federalism

Interstate Relations
What if Texas citizens were not allowed to travel into Oklahoma, or needed a special passport to do so? What if your North Carolina's driver's license were not valid when you drove through Ohio? Fortunately, several key provisions in the Constitution promote cooperation between and among the States.

CH. 4 - SEC. 2

Federalism

The National Government and the 50 States
In this country, the power to govern is shared by the National Government and each of the 50 States (including their thousands of local governments). Given this fact, conflicts are inevitable - and cooperation is absolutely necessary.

CH. 4 - SEC. 1

Federalism

The Division of Power
The federal system divides government power in order to prevent its abuse. There are two basic levels of government in the federal system - National and State. The Judicial Branch's Supreme Court settles disputes between the two.

CH. 3 - SEC. 3

The Constitution

Informal Amendment
In addition to the 27 formal amendments, Americans have made many more informal changes to the Constitution. As the Federal Government expanded, all three branches introduced new ways to govern that do not conflict with the original Constitution.