chapter 5 political parties
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Chapter 5 Political Parties. The Two-Party System. “A party of order or stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary elements of a healthy state of political life.” ~ John Stuart Mill. Two-Party System . - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Chapter 5Political Parties
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“A party of order or stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary
elements of a healthy state of political life.” ~ John Stuart Mill
The Two-Party System
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(Major) Party- a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office(s).◦ Republicans ◦ Democrats
(Minor) Party- one of the many political parties without wide voter support.◦ Green Party ◦ Prohibition Party
Two-Party System
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Where in a typical political election, two major parties dominate American politics.
A number of factors explain why America has had and continues to have a two-party system.
Two-Party System
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Started with the Federalists and Anti-Federalist◦ More Americans except the idea of a two-party
system because there has always been one◦ James Madison said that a larger Republic is
better, as to increase the number of factions, and to distribute power No one party can overpower the system… or can
they?
The Force of Tradition
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Single-member districts: Electoral process in which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
Plurality: The winning candidate who receives a the largest number of votes cast for an office ◦ The plurality does NOT have to be the majority
Bipartisan: The two major political parties find common ground and work Together
The Electoral System
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The American people over time have shared many of the same ideals, same basic principles, and same patterns of belief
Pluralistic Society: One consisting of several distinct cultures and groups◦ The United States is the “melting pot” of the
world
Federalist Paper No. 55◦ Argues that a smaller assembly is better for the
country. More likely to get things RATIFIED◦ However, this is contradictory to the People’s
Voice
The American Ideological Consensus
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Consensus: A general agreement◦ Not always so in American society1. American Civil War2. Great Depression3. Vietnam Era4. Persian Gulf War II (Afghanistan and Iraq)5. Party Polarity (Republicans v. Democrats)
American Ideological Consensus
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Third Party?
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A system in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win public office(s).
Based around particular interests, including:◦ Economic class◦ Religious beliefs◦ Sectional attachment◦ Political ideology
Creates a broader and more diverse representation of electorates.
Multiparty Systems
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One-party Systems A political system in which only one
party exists. Falls under a dictatorship in many nations. Within the United States, a modified one-
party system is prevalent in certain regions of the country.
Post Civil War Elections:◦ Republican party = New England & Midwest◦ Democrats = South
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Federalist No. 10 & 51 Both majority and minority factions are
brought up, and Madison believes that the majority factions are the most dangerous.
Using the liberties of citizens can bring down a Democracy.
Factions- conflicting groups
The Two-Party System in America
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Election of 1800◦ “The Great Revolution” signified the transfer of
political powers from one political party to another
◦ The incumbent Federalist president, John Adams, was defeated by Republican Thomas Jefferson Incumbent- current office holder
Since then, there have been 4 major periods of political party dominance.
First Political Parties
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Era of the Democrats (1800-1860) Although called Republicans, the
Democratic-Republicans can be compared to the Democratic Party of today.
Ran unopposed in national politics up to 1830.◦ Split up into factions with the introduction of the
Andrew Jackson administration◦ National Republicans (Whigs) vs. Democrats
American Parties
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Era of the Republicans (1860-1932) Republican dominance started in 1860 with
the election of President Lincoln. Only political party to jump from 3rd party to
major party status Electorate- the people eligible to vote. Sectionalism- the devotion toward
interests of one section of the country or population
American Parties
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The New Democratic Era (1932-1968) The Great Depression brought the election
of a new American leader, FDR Democrats held the national government up
to the Vietnam War◦ Richard Nixon’s second attempt for the
presidency proved successful for a short-term Republican reign
American Parties
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Era of Division (1968-current) New points of interest have created a rift
between the public’s concern and that of the political parties’ agendas
American Parties
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The Minor Parties
Ron Paul Ralph Nader
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There are MANY neglected third parties that field a presidential candidate◦ Constitution Party◦ Green Party of the U.S.◦ Communist Party◦ Libertarian Party◦ America First Party◦ Freedom Socialist Party◦ Reform Party◦ Prohibition Party◦ American Nazi Party◦ And Many More…
Minority Parties in the U.S.
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1. Ideological Parties Parties based on a particular set of beliefs-a
comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters.◦ Have seldom been able to win many votes◦ Libertarian Party- focuses on the individual◦ Communist Party- focuses on the well-being of the
society
4 Types of Minor Parties
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2. Single-Issue Parties Parties that focus on only one public-policy
matter◦ Most of these parties fade into history, with the issue
they stood for.◦ The two major parties may address their key issue,
as one of their own.◦ Usually found in the minor party name.
Prohibition Party (Founded 1869) U.S. Marijuana Party (Founded 2002)
4 Types of Minor Parties
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3. Economic Protest Parties Parties rooted in periods of economic
discontent. ◦ There is no clear-cut ideological base◦ A disgust toward the two major parties
Occupy Wall Street◦ Most often, they have been sectional parties
Drawing strength from the South & West◦ Greenback Party (1876-1884)◦ Populist Party (1890s)
4 Types of Minor Parties
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4. Splinter Parties Parties that have split away from one of the
major political parties◦ Most of the more important 3rd parties have been
splinter parties◦ Form around a strong personality-an individual◦ These parties usually collapse when the individual
steps down Bull Moose Progressive Party Progressive Party
(1912) Green Party with Ralph Nader
4 Types of Minor Parties
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Third-party candidacy can act as a “spoiler role” in a close election.◦ Theodore Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party took away
votes from the Republican candidate in the 1912 election
Minor parties act as the “critics “ (bring attention to wrong doing) and “innovators” (new ideas are co-opted by major parties) for political issues
Why Minority Parties are Important
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dd2-OAgn8Q&feature=related
Effects of Third Party
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Party Organization
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Each major American political party builds its structure from four basic elements:
1. The National Convention2. The National Committee3. The National Chairperson4. The Congressional Campaign
National Party Machinery
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State party foundations are set by State law:1. State Organization- chairperson and the
State Central Committee2. Local Organization- follow the electoral map
of a State◦ Ward: a unit into which cities are often divided for
the election of city council members◦ Precinct: the smallest unit of election
administration◦ Polling Place: voting locations within the precinct
State & Local Party Machinery
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1. Nominating Candidates2. Informing & Activating Supporters:
shared with news media & interest groups3. Bonding Agent: tries to pick qualified
candidates with good moral character4. Watch Dog: party out of power watches
party in power (holds the White House)5. Governing: office holders, executive
appointments, etc…basis for conducting government, provides channels for the Exec/Leg branches to work together
Roles of the Major Parties
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*Sharp drop in number of voters who classify themselves as Republican or Democrat
Rise in Independents/Minor Parties*Split-Ticket Voting: voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election
A true system with bipartisan behaviors – issue voting
*Straight – ticket Voting: voting for all the candidates in one party
* Coattail Effect: Strong candidate helps to attract voters to other lesser candidates in the same party
Reasons for Party Decline
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Qualifications set by the States (5 limitations by Constitution):
* Sufferage: the right to vote15th Amendment: removed race/color19th Amendment: removed sex/gender23rd Amendment: DC right to vote24th Amendment: eliminated poll taxes26th Amendment: 18 yr olds can vote
Voting Rights Act of 1965: removed literacy tests, gave Federal government more power to enforce 15th amendment being ignored by the states
National Voter Registration Act 1993 (Motor Voter Act):Allowed people to register to vote by mail, @ time of license renewal/application, with registration forms found in public assistance offices
Voter Qualifications:
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OPEN PRIMARY: any qualified voter may vote CLOSED PRIMARY: only declared party members may voteCAUCUS/ CONVENTION: groups of like-minded people who meet to select candidates for electionGENERAL ELECTION: all or most members of a given political body are up for election
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS: private organizations trying to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of its members – to shape public policy
PAC’s: Political Action Committees – political arms of special interest groups, lobbyists
HARD MONEY: $$ contributed directly to the candidate, subject to regulation ($2400 - person/ $No regulation- organization)SOFT MONEY:$$ contributed to the political party by large donors, unregulated