what purpose do they serve? political parties in america

What purpose do they serve?What purpose do they serve?

Political Parties in AmericaPolitical Parties in America

What is a Political Party?What is a Political Party?

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label (party identification) by which they are known to the electorate

Group who seek to control government by winning elections

Act as a “mini-corporation”

State Parties different from National

Idaho Republican Party may have different platform than the National Republican Party

Platform: How a party stands on issues

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label (party identification) by which they are known to the electorate

Group who seek to control government by winning elections

Act as a “mini-corporation”

State Parties different from National

Idaho Republican Party may have different platform than the National Republican Party

Platform: How a party stands on issues

Political PartyAn organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so

that its positions and philosophy become public policy

Political PartyAn organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so

that its positions and philosophy become public policy

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.,Publishing as Longman

Party SystemsParty Systems

Multiparty

Coalition government is necessary

Minor parties have an incentive to persevere

Proportional representation

Governments tend toward instability

Two party

• Winner-takes-all system

• “Wasted vote” syndrome discourages minor parties

• Government tends toward stability

• Policy change is incremental

Why a Two-Party System?Why a Two-Party System?The Historical Basis. The nation started out with

two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.

The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties.

Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters.

The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.

The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties.

Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters.

Political Party MembershipPolitical Party MembershipThe two dominant parties are divided into state, local,

and national partiesVoters may become members of a party when they

register to voteSome states require party registration at the time of

voter registration (ex: Alabama does not)Party membership involves no duties or obligations

beyond votingWhat are some reasons for becoming an active member

of a political party?If you have to declare party membership, do you know

which party you would declare?What are your reasons for choosing the party you

chose?

The two dominant parties are divided into state, local, and national parties

Voters may become members of a party when they register to voteSome states require party registration at the time of

voter registration (ex: Alabama does not)Party membership involves no duties or obligations

beyond votingWhat are some reasons for becoming an active member

of a political party?If you have to declare party membership, do you know

which party you would declare?What are your reasons for choosing the party you

chose?


What Do Parties Do?What Do Parties Do?

Unify the Electorate

Help Organize Government

Translate Preferences into Policy

Provide Loyal Opposition

Organize the Competition


Nominate CandidatesNominate Candidates

Caucus: A meeting of local party members to

choose party officials or candidates for public

office and to decide the platform

Hillary Rodham Clinton; contender for

the Democratic presidential

nomination in 2008

Recruit & select who they want to represent them

Recruit & select who they want to represent them

“Bonding Agent”“Bonding Agent”

Ensures good performance of its candidatesIf a government official does a bad job

it is a reflection of the political party.

Ensures good performance of its candidatesIf a government official does a bad job

it is a reflection of the political party.

GoverningGoverning

Officials are usually chosen on the basis of party membership.

Officials are usually chosen on the basis of party membership.

Acting as a “Watchdog”Acting as a “Watchdog”

Usually an action of the party not in power.

Criticizes policies and behaviors of the party in power.

Republicans criticizing Obama’s Health Care Plan

Usually an action of the party not in power.

Criticizes policies and behaviors of the party in power.

Republicans criticizing Obama’s Health Care Plan

PatronagePatronage

Political parties dispense patronage

It is the granting of political favors or political positions in return for financial compensation/ campaign donations, etc

Political parties dispense patronage

It is the granting of political favors or political positions in return for financial compensation/ campaign donations, etc

Offer New & Fresh IdeasOffer New & Fresh Ideas

Parties encourage compromise and adopt moderate policies with mass appeal

Parties encourage compromise and adopt moderate policies with mass appeal

Informing and Activating Supporters

Informing and Activating Supporters

Try to sway people to change opinionsEducate/Inspire voters on issuesBring important issues to the attention

of the publicPublish the party’s position on these

issuesHelp form public opinion

Try to sway people to change opinionsEducate/Inspire voters on issuesBring important issues to the attention

of the publicPublish the party’s position on these

issuesHelp form public opinion


The 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 Elections: Into the New Century

The 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 Elections: Into the New Century

2000: 50-50 partisan tie in the Senate, slim Republican majority in House and contested presidential vote count

2002: President’s party gained seats in the House and Senate 2004: Bush reelected and his party picked up seats in Senate and

House 2006: Democrats win majority in both House and Senate 2008: Democrats increase majority in House and Senate, and win the

presidency

2000: 50-50 partisan tie in the Senate, slim Republican majority in House and contested presidential vote count

2002: President’s party gained seats in the House and Senate 2004: Bush reelected and his party picked up seats in Senate and

House 2006: Democrats win majority in both House and Senate 2008: Democrats increase majority in House and Senate, and win the

presidency


Parties as InstitutionsParties as Institutions

National party leadership

Party platforms

Parties at the state and local levels

National party leadership

Party platforms

Parties at the state and local levels


Important Differences in What Democratic and Republican Parties Stand For, 1984-2004

Important Differences in What Democratic and Republican Parties Stand For, 1984-2004


Parties In GovernmentParties In Government

In the executive branch

In the legislative branch

In the judicial branch

At the state and local levels

In the executive branch

In the legislative branch

In the judicial branch

At the state and local levels


Parties in the ElectorateParties in the Electorate

Party Registration

The act of declaring party affiliation;

required by some states when

registering to vote

Party Activists

Party Regulars

Candidate Activists

Issue Activists


Party IdentificationParty Identification

what purpose do they serve? political parties in america

Documents

party registration

political party membership

party officials

party winner

issues political party

political parties

public policy political

label party identification