Chapter 5Chapter 5
Political PartiesPolitical Parties
Section 1: Parties and what they Section 1: Parties and what they dodo
• ““Winning isn’t everything; it’s the Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Vince Lombardionly thing.” Vince Lombardi
What is a party?What is a party?
Political PartyPolitical Party A group or persons who seek to control A group or persons who seek to control
government through the winning of elections government through the winning of elections and the holding of public officeand the holding of public office
Generally joined together on common Generally joined together on common ideology pertaining to public policies and ideology pertaining to public policies and programsprograms
particular set of beliefs or views on social, particular set of beliefs or views on social, economic and political matterseconomic and political matters
U.S. U.S. major partiesmajor parties are more election are more election oriented than issue orientedoriented than issue oriented
What do parties do?What do parties do?
They are the major mechanisms behind They are the major mechanisms behind the development of broad policy and the development of broad policy and leadership choicesleadership choices
Vital link between people and their Vital link between people and their governmentgovernment
They bring together conflicting groupsThey bring together conflicting groups Nominating CandidatesNominating Candidates
Name candidates for public officeName candidates for public office Informing and activating supportersInforming and activating supporters
They campaign for their candidates and their They campaign for their candidates and their positionspositions
which activates citizen interest and participation in which activates citizen interest and participation in public affairspublic affairs
they “educate” the public, in order to they “educate” the public, in order to persuadepersuade
What do parties do? (Con’t)What do parties do? (Con’t) Both parties try to shape positions that will attract Both parties try to shape positions that will attract
as many voters as possibleas many voters as possible Possibly offending as few voters as possiblePossibly offending as few voters as possible
The Bonding Agent FunctionThe Bonding Agent Function Parties work to ensure that candidates are both qualified Parties work to ensure that candidates are both qualified
and of good characterand of good character GoverningGoverning
U.S. government primarily controlled by partiesU.S. government primarily controlled by parties Much of the government business is done on the basis of Much of the government business is done on the basis of
partisanshippartisanship the strong support of their party and its policy stancethe strong support of their party and its policy stance
allows separation of powers between legislative and allows separation of powers between legislative and executive branchesexecutive branches
Act as WatchdogAct as Watchdog The party out of power tends to criticize the policies and The party out of power tends to criticize the policies and
behavior of the behavior of the party in powerparty in power
Section 2: The Two party Section 2: The Two party systemsystem
Why a Two-Party System?Why a Two-Party System?
U.S. has primarily a U.S. has primarily a Two-Party SystemTwo-Party System Two major political partiesTwo major political parties
There are minor partiesThere are minor parties Political parties without wide voter supportPolitical parties without wide voter support
Multiple reasons for U.S. having two Multiple reasons for U.S. having two party systemparty system
The Historical BasisThe Historical Basis Ratification of Constitution created two political Ratification of Constitution created two political
groupsgroups Federalist and Anti-FederalistFederalist and Anti-Federalist
Framers however did not like political partiesFramers however did not like political parties The Force of TraditionThe Force of Tradition
Human institutions tend to be self-perpetuatingHuman institutions tend to be self-perpetuating TraditionTradition
Why a Two-Party System? Why a Two-Party System? (Con’t)(Con’t)
The Electoral SystemThe Electoral System Most elections in U.S. are for Most elections in U.S. are for single-single-
member districtsmember districts Where only one candidate selected for officeWhere only one candidate selected for office
Members tend to get Members tend to get pluralityplurality Largest number of votes cast for the officeLargest number of votes cast for the office People hate “wasting a vote”People hate “wasting a vote”
Republicans and Democrats work Republicans and Democrats work bipartisanbipartisan to keep other parties out of systemto keep other parties out of system
They find common ground and work togetherThey find common ground and work together Difficult for minor parties to get on all ballotsDifficult for minor parties to get on all ballots
Why a Two-Party System? Why a Two-Party System? (Con’t)(Con’t)
The American Ideological consensusThe American Ideological consensus Tend to be homogeneousTend to be homogeneous
Same ideals, same basic principles, same patterns Same ideals, same basic principles, same patterns of beliefof belief
America is however a America is however a pluralistic societypluralistic society Consisting of many cultures and groupsConsisting of many cultures and groups
However there is a However there is a consensusconsensus on on fundamental mattersfundamental matters
A general agreement among various groupsA general agreement among various groups Both Republicans and Democrats look much Both Republicans and Democrats look much
alike and tend to be moderatealike and tend to be moderate Biggest differenceBiggest difference Democrats tend to want a bigger governmentDemocrats tend to want a bigger government Republicans tend to want a smaller governmentRepublicans tend to want a smaller government
Multiparty SystemMultiparty System
Europeans have a Europeans have a multiparty systemmultiparty system in in their democraciestheir democracies
System in which several major and many System in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for and lesser parties exist, seriously compete for and actually win public officesactually win public offices
Party based on a particular interestParty based on a particular interest While it does produce broader While it does produce broader
representation, it also creates government representation, it also creates government instabilityinstability
Requires the creation of a Requires the creation of a coalitioncoalition Temporary alliance of several groups who Temporary alliance of several groups who
come together to form a working majority in come together to form a working majority in order to control a governmentorder to control a government
One-Party SystemOne-Party System
Only one party is allowed to run for Only one party is allowed to run for officeoffice
Most dictatorshipsMost dictatorships Some parts of the U.S have been a Some parts of the U.S have been a
modified modified one-party systemone-party system
One-Party SystemsOne-Party Systems
Chapter 5, Section 2Chapter 5, Section 233 4411 55
Types of One-Party Systems
Example:
Republican North and Democratic South until the
1950s.
Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins
most elections
One Party Systems where only one party is
allowed.
Example:
Dictatorships such as Stalinist Russia
Chapter 5, Section 2Chapter 5, Section 233 4411 55
Factors that can influence Factors that can influence party membership:party membership:
Party Membership PatternsParty Membership Patterns
Family Major events
Economic Status Religion
Occupation Age
Party Membership PatternsParty Membership Patterns
Membership in parties is voluntaryMembership in parties is voluntary Political parties tend to have a cross Political parties tend to have a cross
section of supportsection of support TypicallyTypically
Democrats get votes from African Americans, Democrats get votes from African Americans, Catholics, Jews and Union membersCatholics, Jews and Union members
Republicans tend to get votes from white males, Republicans tend to get votes from white males, protestants and business communityprotestants and business community
Biggest pattern based on family preferenceBiggest pattern based on family preference Nearly 2/3 of U.S. vote the way their families Nearly 2/3 of U.S. vote the way their families
votevote
Party Membership Patterns Party Membership Patterns (Con’t)(Con’t)
History determinesHistory determines Based on world events and/ or against Based on world events and/ or against
the party in powerthe party in power IncomeIncome
Higher incomes for republicansHigher incomes for republicans Lower incomes for democratsLower incomes for democrats
Other factorsOther factors Age, place of residence, level of Age, place of residence, level of
education, work environment, religioneducation, work environment, religion
Section 3: The Two party Section 3: The Two party system in American Historysystem in American History
The Nation’s First PartiesThe Nation’s First Parties
Ratification of the constitutionRatification of the constitution FederalistFederalist
wanted a stronger national governmentwanted a stronger national government appealed to financial, manufacturing and appealed to financial, manufacturing and
commercial interestscommercial interests led by Alexander Hamiltonled by Alexander Hamilton
The Nation’s First Parties The Nation’s First Parties (Con’t)(Con’t)
Anti-FederalistAnti-Federalist More sympathetic to the “Common More sympathetic to the “Common
Man”Man” Favored limited governmentFavored limited government led by Thomas Jeffersonled by Thomas Jefferson
Beginnings of the Democratic PartyBeginnings of the Democratic Party John Adams was the last federalist John Adams was the last federalist
candidatecandidate He was the He was the incumbentincumbent but was beat but was beat
by Jefferson in 1800by Jefferson in 1800 Current office holderCurrent office holder
American Parties: Four Major American Parties: Four Major ErasEras
The era of the Democrats, 1800-1860The era of the Democrats, 1800-1860 They controlled most politics till mid-1820’sThey controlled most politics till mid-1820’s Then split into Then split into factionsfactions
conflicting groupsconflicting groups split over public lands, 2nd bank of U.S., high split over public lands, 2nd bank of U.S., high
tariffs, and slaverytariffs, and slavery Andrew Jackson changed political landscapeAndrew Jackson changed political landscape
voting rights for all white malesvoting rights for all white males an increase in number of elected officesan increase in number of elected offices Spoil system: awarding government favors for Spoil system: awarding government favors for
those who supported the partythose who supported the party Civil war split DemocratsCivil war split Democrats
helped by the rise of the Whig Partyhelped by the rise of the Whig Party
American Parties: Four Major American Parties: Four Major Eras (Con’t)Eras (Con’t)
Republican Era, 1860-1932Republican Era, 1860-1932 Election of Lincoln ushered the Election of Lincoln ushered the
republicans from a third-party to a republicans from a third-party to a major partymajor party
Good economic times kept the GOP in Good economic times kept the GOP in powerpower
1896 GOP expanded it’s 1896 GOP expanded it’s electorateelectorate people eligible to votepeople eligible to vote however, Democrats went away from however, Democrats went away from
sectionalismsectionalism focus on a particular regionfocus on a particular region
American Parties: Four Major American Parties: Four Major Eras (Con’t)Eras (Con’t)
The return of the Democrats, 1932-The return of the Democrats, 1932-19681968
The Great Depression ushered in FDR to The Great Depression ushered in FDR to officeoffice
His New Deal program expanded the His New Deal program expanded the electorateelectorate for the Democrats for the Democrats
Only lasted till the pressures of Vietnam in Only lasted till the pressures of Vietnam in the mid 1960’sthe mid 1960’s
The start of a new eraThe start of a new era From Nixon to today, has been marked From Nixon to today, has been marked
with a divided-partisan governmentwith a divided-partisan government
Section 4: The Minor PartiesSection 4: The Minor Parties
Minor parties in the U.S.Minor parties in the U.S.
Vary in size and scopeVary in size and scope Ideological partiesIdeological parties
Based on a particular set of beliefsBased on a particular set of beliefs ExampleExample
socialist party, libertarian partysocialist party, libertarian party
Single issue partiesSingle issue parties names based on their issuenames based on their issue
Minor parties in the U.S. Minor parties in the U.S. (Con’t)(Con’t)
Economic Protest partiesEconomic Protest parties Demanded economic changes to the Demanded economic changes to the
Major partiesMajor parties faded demands after economics improvesfaded demands after economics improves ExampleExample
Greenback party and Populist partyGreenback party and Populist party
Splinter partiesSplinter parties Groups that split from major partiesGroups that split from major parties
normally short livednormally short lived
Why Minor parties are Why Minor parties are importantimportant
Help impact policies and bring them Help impact policies and bring them to the fore-frontto the fore-front
Also they play the “Spoiler-role”Also they play the “Spoiler-role” Minor parties tend to make clear-Minor parties tend to make clear-
cut stands on issuescut stands on issues Progressive income tax, women’s Progressive income tax, women’s
suffrage, railroad and bank regulation, suffrage, railroad and bank regulation, and old age pension plansand old age pension plans
Problem is major parties adapt to Problem is major parties adapt to minor parties platformminor parties platform
Minor Parties in the United Minor Parties in the United StatesStates
Chapter 5, Section 4Chapter 5, Section 422 3311 55
Splinter Party
Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive
Party
Economic Protest Parties
Example: The Greenback Party
Ideological Parties
Example: Libtertarian
Party
Types of Minor Parties
Single-issue Parties
Example: Free Soil Party
Chapter 5, Section 4Chapter 5, Section 422 3311 55
Minor Parties in the United StatesMinor Parties in the United States
Section 5: Party OrganizationSection 5: Party Organization
National Party MachineryNational Party Machinery
National ConventionNational Convention Considered party’s national voiceConsidered party’s national voice Meet to nominate party’s Vice Meet to nominate party’s Vice
Presidential and Presidential candidatesPresidential and Presidential candidates Today is more of a pep rallyToday is more of a pep rally
The National CommitteeThe National Committee The party’s affairs are controlled hereThe party’s affairs are controlled here Really, only works to organize National Really, only works to organize National
ConventionConvention
National Party Machinery National Party Machinery (Con’t)(Con’t)
The National ChairpersonThe National Chairperson Leader of National CommitteeLeader of National Committee
Directs the work of the party’s headquarterDirects the work of the party’s headquarter Otherwise in charge of promoting party Otherwise in charge of promoting party
unity, raising money, recruiting new voters, unity, raising money, recruiting new voters, and preparing for presidential electionsand preparing for presidential elections
The Congressional Campaign The Congressional Campaign CommitteesCommittees
In charge of getting incumbents re-electedIn charge of getting incumbents re-elected
State and Local MachineryState and Local Machinery
Organized by electoral mapOrganized by electoral map Split-up into congressional districts Split-up into congressional districts
within stateswithin states Then into wards and precinctsThen into wards and precincts WardWard: a unit into which cities are : a unit into which cities are
often divided for election of city often divided for election of city council memberscouncil members
PrecinctPrecinct: voters in each report to one : voters in each report to one polling placepolling place
State and Local Party State and Local Party Machinery Machinery
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State and local party organization State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually varies from State to State, but usually
follow the general principles below.follow the general principles below.
The Future of the Major The Future of the Major PartiesParties
Split-ticket votingSplit-ticket voting Voting for candidates of different Voting for candidates of different
parties for different offices at the same parties for different offices at the same timetime
The Future of Major PartiesThe Future of Major Parties
For votersFor voters : : More people are unwilling More people are unwilling
to label themselves as to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Democrats” or “Republicans”“Republicans”
Split-ticket voting—voting Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different for candidates of different parties for different offices parties for different offices at the same election at the same election
Chapter 5, Section 5Chapter 5, Section 5
For candidates:For candidates: Structural changes have increased Structural changes have increased
conflict and disorganization within conflict and disorganization within partiesparties
Changes in the technology of Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have television and the Internet, have made candidates more made candidates more independent of the party independent of the party organizationorganization
The growth of single-issue The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates organizations provides candidates with another source of financial with another source of financial supportsupport
Weakened connections to political parties:
Chapter 5, Section 5Chapter 5, Section 522 4411 33