Party Platform

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

A political party platform or platform outlines a party's principles, goals, and positions on domestic and foreign affairs. Platforms are typically announced at the party's national convention. They do not necessarily have a binding effect on elected officials or candidates within the party. Political parties’ platforms – their statements of where they stand on issues – get little respect. Party platforms are a vital clue about which groups hold real power in the two major national parties. When they are formally published after the parties’ conventions in August, they’ll also help you predict what the national government will actually do during the next four years.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What is a party platform?

  2. Who writes the party platform?

  3. Have you read the platform for either major party?

  4. Is a party required to follow their platform?

  5. Why do parties have platforms?

  6. Describe a connection to party platform in current events:

  7. Find an image or emoji that does a good job of exemplifying party platform:

  8. Does the US Constitution say anything about party platforms?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw party platform. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

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Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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