Political Parties

Selected Books

For Younger Readers

Cox, Vicki
The History of Third Parties
The History of Third Parties chronicles third parties and their increasing visibility in the American political system.
j JK2261.C834 2007

Wagner, Heather Lehr
The History of the Democratic Party
A brief history of the oldest political party in the United States.
j JK2316.W34 2007

Wagner, Heather Lehr
The History of the Republican Party
Examines the development of the Republican party, including its prominent figures, key events, and ideological trends.
j JK2356.W25 2007

Web Sites

• American Reform Party
  Founded in 1997 by Ross Perot
• Democratic National Committee
  
• Green Party of the United States
  The Green Party of the United States is a federation of state Green Parties committed to environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and grassroots organizing.
• Republican National Committee (GOP.com)
• Communist Party USA
  • People's Weekly World
• Democratic Socialists of America
  the largest socialist organization in the United States, and the principal U.S. affiliate of the Socialist International.
• Libertarian Party
  Challenges the cult of the omnipotent state and defends the rights of the individual. Believes in 1) the right to life, 2) the right to liberty of speech and action, and 3) the right to property.
• Reform Party
  Platform: balance the budget, campaign reform, term limits, new tax system, reform Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, restrict lobbying

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Pittsburgh Region

• Allegheny County Democratic Committee
  Their website includes a list of Democratic candidates and a list of elected officials. Information on volunteering is also available.
• Green Party of Allegheny County
  Allegheny County affiliate of the Green Party, a political party based on Ten Key Values starting with Grassroots Democracy, Social Justice, Ecological Wisdom, and Non-violence.
• Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh
  http://www.lppgh.org/
  "Libertarians follow the principles set forth by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, wherein he stated that individuals have inalienable rights, and that the purpose of government is to secure these rights. We hold that this is the sole purpose of government, and that there is no role for government in solving social problems. Accordingly, we advocate limited government, and defend the rights of individuals."
• Republican Committee of Allegheny County (RCAC)
  http://www.rcac.net/
  RCAC is the structural foundation of the Republican Party for Allegheny County. RCAC serves to maintain and develop local (municipal) committees, as well as recruit, train, and support local Republican candidates. Additionally, the County Committee serves as a resource center for elected officials, residents, candidates, and committees at every level.

Pennsylvania

• Green Party of Pennsylvania
  http://www.greenpartypa.org/
  The Pennsylvania Green Party is a confederation of local chapters working for environmentally sound politics.
• Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
  Pennsylvania's 3rd largest political party that characterizes itself as the most moderater party, generally conservative on economic issues and generally tolerant on social issues.
• Pennsylvania Democratic Party
  candidates, events, local parties.
• Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania
  The official website of the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Search for Republican elected officials by county