political parties & elections

Political Parties & Political Parties & ElectionsElections

FunctionFunctionConnect citizens to their government

◦ Linkage institution◦ Political Efficacy – citizens can make sense of

government decisions and processes; feel that government listens to them

Running candidates for political office◦ Need party organization to fund and coordinate

campaignInform the public

◦ Convey image to votersOrganize the government

◦ Coordinate government policy making

Why the 2 party’s?Why the 2 party’s?Consensus of values

◦ Broad consensus in basic political values-liberty, equality, individualism

Historical influence◦ Began with 2

Winner-take-all system◦ Pluralist – who ever wins the most in each voting

district is winner; no proportional representation. Only needs 1 more than the competitor

Organization of PartyOrganization of PartyGrassroots – state and local

control over decisions; provide foot soldiers for campaigns; 2004-2008 huge get out vote drives=higher voter turnouts

National Committee (Organize conventions); but national candidates run own campaigns!

Both Parties have a…Both Parties have a…National CommitteeNational ChairmanNational ConventionCongressional Campaign

committee for incumbents and challengers

Broad ideological base – need to appeal to a large number of voters

History of PartiesHistory of PartiesCharacterized by long periods of

dominance by one party followed by a long period dominated by the other

Begins/ends with shifts in voting population = realignments

Federalists v. Anti-federalists(Democratic Republicans)◦Ratification of Constitution; Bank, business,

farmers◦Era of good feelings seems to merge both

party’sJacksonian Democracy

Whigs – interests of old federalists Democrats – Jackson

Civil War Era◦Whigs split over slavery = Republicans◦Ends dominance of Democrats =

REALIGNMENT

Republican Era 1861-1933◦Industrial Revolution◦Laissez faire

Election 0f 32-33 REALIGNMENT Democratic Era 1933-1969

◦Increase Government activity/involvement

Divided Government 1969-2008◦Control of Executive and Legislative

branches is split◦Gridlock – no ability to make decisions,

different policies advocated◦Republicans Presidents 1969-1993

Nixon, Ford, Reagan, & Bush Use media and well organized committees, $$$$

◦Democrats Look to grass roots, become disorganized 1969 – McGovern-Fraser Commission

More representation needed for minorities

Divided GovernmentDivided Government5 periods of divided government

in past 9 congressional elections◦1994Clinton◦1996Clinton◦1998Clinton◦2000Bush◦2006Bush

Minor PartiesMinor Parties2 categories

◦Dominated by individual personality T Roosevelt - Bull Moose George Wallace – American Independent

Party 1968/1972◦Organized around long lasting goal

or ideology Abolitionists Prohibitionists Socialists

Successful 3rd Parties◦Populists

William Jennings Bryan◦Ross Perot 1992

Received 19% of vote

Influence of a 3Influence of a 3rdrd Party PartyPlatforms are adopted by major

partiesAffect election outcomes (1912,

2000

Party PowerParty PowerDealignment - party

identification has weakened among voters – independents

Straight Ticket – utilized lessTicket Splitting – voting for

candidates from both parties for various positions

ReformsReformsPrimary Elections – power given to

rank and file members, not party leaders

Civil Service ExamDirect election of SenatorsVoting for WomenUse of electronic media, professional

consultants, direct mail recruitment of voter support weaken party influence

Election of 2008Election of 2008Increase in voting by young,

black and Hispanic peopleVote for Obama

Elections and CampaignsElections and CampaignsFoundation of democracyVoting on 500,000 public officesFunction of Elections

◦Choose political leaders◦Political participation◦Elected officials are accountable for

actions◦Legitimize positions of power

Role of PartiesRole of PartiesNot as important anymoreCandidates run, raise $$, personally

appeal to peopleWinner take all system

◦No proportional allocation◦Need plurality – largest # of votes◦America’s elections are single-member

districts – in any district the election determines one representative or office

◦Parties try to assemble a large coalition of voters to gain a plurality

Primaries and General Primaries and General ElectionsElectionsPrimaries – select party candidate for office

◦Closed - voter declares in advance his/her party; can only vote in party primary

◦Open – decide on voting day which party’s primary to participate in

◦Blanket - Vote for candidate from any partyCaucus – IOWA

◦Local party members vote for candidate; send decision to regional caucuses, vote, send decision to state caucus and make final decision

General Election◦1 candidate from each party

campaign against each other◦All registered voters can vote, no

matter party affiliation◦Lower voter turn out in non-

presidential years

Congressional v. Presidential Congressional v. Presidential CampaignsCampaignsCongress PresidentElection is regionalHoR is less competitive than Senate/PresidentFewer votersCommunicate directly with constituentsBlame problems on others in House

Election is nationalCoattail Effect (not as much effect lately)President takes responsibility for problems in government

Road to PresidencyRoad to PresidencyDeciding to Announce – political and

financial supportPresidential Primaries (choosing

delegates to go to convention)◦Iowa◦New Hampshire◦Frontloading – early primaries more

important than later primaries

The Conventions◦Held in summer◦Create party platform◦Formally announce Party candidate

for PresidentCampaigning and General

Election◦Two candidates face each other◦Presidential debates

Campaign and Election Campaign and Election ReformReformCampaign Spending

◦1976 Amendments Create Federal Election Commission No cash donations over $100 No foreign donations Limit individual contributions Corporations can establish PACs; limited

contributions Federal matching funds

◦Buckley v. Valeo Cannot limit personal $$ for personal

campaign

Soft Money criticized -funds not specified for candidates campaigns, but for “party building” activities - $$ gets to campaigns anyway thus…….

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, 2002◦Banned soft $$ to national parties◦Curb use of campaign ads by outside

interest groups

Honest leadership and Open Government Act 2007 Increase public disclosure regarding

lobbying and campaign fundingMust name lobbyists that “Bundle”

contributions Combining of individual campaign funds organized

by a lobbyist for the benefit of a national candidate

Bundling gains undue influence over candidate once elected

Problems in 2000 ElectionProblems in 2000 ElectionFlorida

◦Problems with recounts◦Spotlight on local control of voting

process◦“Intent to vote” is interpreted

differently in each county/precinct

527s in 2004527s in 2004Tax code makes the tax exemptWealthy donors benefit

◦America Coming Together◦Swift Boat Veterans

2004-2008 Changes in 2004-2008 Changes in ElectionsElectionsHelp America Vote Act

◦$$ for updating voting equipmentNew Voting Procedures

◦Early voting ◦Same day registration◦Absentee balloting

Critical Realigning Critical Realigning ElectionsElectionsSignificant change in the way large

groups votes; shift support from 1party to another; issue changes◦1860

Whigs collapse over slavery◦1896

Economics; farmers v. eastern laborers◦ 1932

Economic issues – farmers, urban workers, northern blacks, southern whites& Jewish voters support democrats

Interest GroupsInterest GroupsGroup of people who enter

political process to achieve shared goals

Exist outside structure of government

Parties v. Interest groupsParties v. Interest groupsParties – influence through

electoral process, run candidatesInterest groups support

candidates but do not run one of their own

Parties – broad spectrum of policies; Interest groups support 1 or a few related policies

PACS & 527sPACS & 527sPACS –Political Arm of interest

groups◦Raise $$◦Contribute to candidates

527s◦Influence nomination, election,

appointment, or defeat of a candidate◦Not regulated by FEC

Theories of Interest Groups Theories of Interest Groups PoliticsPoliticsElitist Theory

◦A few interest groups have power – corporate interests

Pluralist Theory◦Interest groups benefit US

Linkage One group is not all powerful Those weak in one source are strong in

anotherHyperpluralist

◦Too many groups◦Political chaos

Growth of Interest GroupsGrowth of Interest GroupsTypes

◦Broad based – National Association of Manufacurers

◦Specific – American Crick growers◦Economic

Types of membershipsTypes of membershipsInstitutional

◦Business or corporation◦Universities◦City Governemntents

Individual Interests◦Afl-CIO◦NAACP◦NOW

Types of Interest GroupsTypes of Interest GroupsEconomic

◦Profits, prices, higher wages Labor Unions – Union Shop (new employees

must join union) Agricultural Groups Business Groups Professional Groups – various occupations

Consumer and Public Interest◦Public Interest Groups (PIRGS)

League of Women voters◦Environmental groups – Sierra Club

w can my one, little vote

Equality and Justice Interests, little vote◦NAACP◦NOW

How they workHow they workLobbying – influence government

policies◦Contact, meetings, lunches, committee

hearingsElectioneering

◦Get and keep people in office◦Use of PACs

Litigation (lawsuits)◦Amicus curiae briefs◦Class action suits

Appealing to public – ad campaigns

Rating GamesRating GamesRating members of Congress in

terms of amount of support they give to legislation that is favorable to interest group

Where does the $$ come Where does the $$ come from?from?Foundation grants

◦Funds from wealthy families/corporations for philanthropy

Federal Grants◦Given to support projects the interest

group supportsDirect Solicitation

◦Direct mail for $$How can my one, little vote make a

difference?

Effective interest groups◦Size

Smaller is better Free rider – so many members = few

doing work all getting benefits◦Intensity

Single issue is most intense◦Financial Resources

Successful fundraising

Revolving doorRevolving doorGovernment officials quit political

jobs to work as lobbyists or consultants for special interests

Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995◦Try to limit revolving door◦Must disclose lobbying activities

intended to influence government◦Fines and prison for violations

Review questions!