Lesson 16: What Is the Role of Political Parties in the Constitutional System?

Lesson Objectives

When you have finished this lesson, you should  be able to

• explain why the Framers opposed the idea of  political parties,
• describe the other ideas that helped political parties to gain acceptance,
• explain the conflicting points of view that led to the development of parties and the roles that political parties have played in the American constitutional system, and
• evaluate, take, and defend positions on the importance of political parties today.