The Founding Fathers of the United States did not originally intend for American politics to be partisan, but controversies in the 1790s over the extent of federal government powers saw the emergence of two parties. The politics of today are often focused on the two major political parties, and their respective views on the issues that dominate the news at each and every level. How do democrats and republicans define themselves, what are the roles of third parties, and how have these groups evolved and changed over time?
From the Library of Congress – a great resource for political parties and the party system today.
The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open contest.
Curriculum: Create a Candidate:
Students will research the stances on major policy issues held by both political parties, debate the issues from the point of view of one party, and create a hypothetical political candidate by developing a campaign strategy.