41
Small political parties in the USA
Textbook: pp. 63–64
GoalSmall parties and groups in the USA: platform, dues, donations, member; stating opinions and demands in a letter (We think ..., We want ..., We need ...).
New words
platform · dastur, platformadues · a’zolik badallaridonation · xayriya, ehsonGreen movement · ekologik (’yashil’) harakat
Explanation
Besides the two big parties, the USA has many small parties, for example the Green Party, which focuses on the environment. Small parties often work on members’ dues and donations. In their platform they say what kind of world they want: clean environment, peace, justice. To take part you join, and you can even form a new local group. To write a letter we use an opening like: Dear friends, We think that ... We want ... We need ... . In the letter you say clearly your opinion, your demand and how you can help. Small parties are important because they raise new ideas and topics that are not popular yet.
Worked examples
Dear friends, We think that your programme for clean rivers is important. We want to start a similar group in our school. We need advice and printed materials. We can collect signatures and plant trees.
Platform (own sample): clean air, safe streets, free school books. A member pays small dues each year and may also give a donation.
Class activity
“Write a letter”: pairs write a six-sentence letter to an environmental group (Dear friends, We think ..., We want ..., We need ...).
Practice
1
Say the difference between dues and donations.
Dues are regular membership payments; donations are gifts of money.
2
Write the start of the letter: ___ friends, We think that ...
Dear
3
Give one reason why small parties are important.
They raise new ideas that the big parties may ignore.
4
Why might a party write that it does not accept money from companies?
Because it wants to show that it is independent and serves its members’ interests only.