Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and politics? What is a political party?...

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?• What is a political party?• What are the functions of political

parties in American government and politics?

• ?• ?• ?• How have political parties grown

weaker?

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?

FOUR PHASES POLITICAL PARTIES• Founding• Jacksonian Era• Civil War – Sectionalism• Era of Reform

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?

• What two (2) factions emerged in the Republican party during the Era of Reform? (turn of last century)

• What reforms did the Progressives push for in regard to political parties and elections?

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?

• What reforms did the Progressives push for in regard to political parties and elections?

• Party issued ballots to government issued ballots• Registration requirements• Primary elections• Non-partisan elections• No party-business alliances• Civil Service reform• Initiative and referendum elections

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?

• How did Progressive era reforms affect political parties and elections?•Reduces worst forms of corruption•Reduced influence of political machines party bosses•Weaken political parties (in general)•Reduced voter fraud•Reduced voter turnout

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?

• How do political parties of the 20th century (and today) compare to U.S. political parties in the 19th century?

• What effect did Progressive Era reform have on political parties? What was the purpose of these reforms?

• What evidence is there that political parties in the U.S. have continued to weaken since 1960?

Aim: How do political parties influence U.S. government and

politics?

• Party Strength and Democratic Party (Abstract – see handout)

• Cleavages and Continuity in Two-party system

POLITICAL PARTIES

• Why has there been such continuity with the two-party system in the United States?

• What role do minor or third parties play in the United States?

• Some believe it is almost always irrational to vote for a party other than the the two major ones.

• What would a voter gain by voting for Nader in 2000 because he felt the Democratic candidate was insufficiently liberal? (or voting for a “Buchanan” if the Republican candidate was insufficiently conservative?)

POLITICAL PARTIES

NATIONAL PARTY STRUCTURE (note similarities)

• National Convention• National Committee (DNC or

RNC)• National Chairman (elected by

Committee)• Congressional Campaign

Committees

POLITICAL PARTIES

•What is the role of the National Convention?

• Nominates the Presidential candidate

• Votes on Party’s platform• Place where delegates come

together every 4 years to ratify choices already made by activists and primaries

POLITICAL PARTIES

•What is the role of the National Committees? (DNC/RNC)

• Develop Party’s platform• Plan for the next Convention• Recruit/field candidates• FUNDRAISE, FUNDRAISE, FUNDRAISE

POLITICAL PARTIESWhat are the differences between the

two National parties?• Late 1960s – early 1970s, Republicans become well-

financed, highly staffed organization• Devoted to recruiting strong candidates• Direct mail• Bureaucratized• MEANWHILE, the Democrats become further

FACTIONALIZED• For example, intra-party democracy pursued• After a string of losses (Presidential contests and

Congress) –Democrats start to emulate Republicans (in terms of National Party strategies/fundraising)

READING FOR “ABSTRACT THEME A”• SUMMARIZE• What is more important – “principle” or

“winning elections”?• Is it more important for the party to

represent its memberships’ interest or win elections?

• Is moving to the political “center” to win elections the equivalent of “selling out”?...is it deceitful?

• How has this conflict been resolved?

POLITICAL PARTIES

Panel Discussion

RESOLVED: that it is better to adhere to one’s principles than compromise in order to win elections.

Provide arguments to either defend or refute the resolution.

POLITICAL PARTIES

•Why does America have a two-party system? (most democracies are multi-party)

•What are super delegates? What role do they play at the National Convention?

POLITICAL PARTIES

•What has happened to the strength of party bosses in recent years?

•What role does the increasing importance of primaries play in relation to the “boss” system at conventions?