Explore the major political parties and their ideas.

The origins of political parties in the United States of America can be traced to the debates about the ratification of the Constitution. In lesson 1, you learned about the Federalists and the Anti-federalists. The Federalists supported ratification of the Constitution, while the Anti-federalists opposed ratification. Thus, the Federalists and the Anti-federalists became the first two major political parties in the United States. The two major parties at the national level in the United States today are the Democratic and Republican Parties.

What Do Political Parties Do?

One of the most common — and practical — definitions of a political party is “a team of political office seekers.” Securing elective office for its members is, in fact, one of the most important objectives of a political party. Toward this end, political parties actively recruit candidates to run for office, organize volunteers, hold party conventions and other meetings, and raise and spend money to support the party and its candidates.

Parties also represent the broad values or goals stated in their party platforms. While not all of the members of a party adhere to every “plank” in their party’s platform, people who affiliate with a political party support most of the party’s positions — at least more than they support the positions of the other party.

While taking stands on controversial issues such as abortion, prayer in school, and affirmative action, the major political parties also make concerted efforts to be inclusive. The bigger the party’s “tent,” the greater the number of voters that support the party and the greater the number of party members that will win on election day.

While voters do not officially “join” a political party, many states require voters to select a party preference when registering to vote. Whether they are required to declare a party affiliation or not, however, a large majority of voters rely on their party preferences to guide their vote choices, especially when they know little or nothing about the candidates for office.

The work of parties does not end on election day. In fact, arguably the most important work of a political party begins the day its members take office. Members of the same party in the Congress and in the White House are more likely to work with each other than they are with members of the opposing party. The political party that secures a majority of the seats in the Congress has the opportunity to translate the voters’ preferences, as expressed on election day, into public policies, through the legislative process.

Political party affiliation influences almost everything an elected leader does in Washington, D.C. and in state capitols across the nation. Party members sit on opposite sides of the middle aisle in the Congress and in state legislative chambers. Presidents and governors tend to work more quickly and closely with the leaders of their own parties in the Congress and in state legislatures. Party members also raise money for other party members and support them in their reelection bids.