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Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006
Lecture 6: Political Parties
Dynamics of Democracy, Ch. 9
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006
9-1 What Is a Political Party?
• A political party is a coalition of people seeking to control the government by contesting elections and winning office.
• The core of a political party's purpose, and the basis on which most scholars define parties, is their role as electoral organizations.
• In the US, parties are usually NOT ideological
• Since 1980, Republicans have become more conservative and Democrats more liberal.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006
Parties link people and governments by providing:
Political Parties
• Organization
• Information
• Party ID as heuristic: guide to policy preferences of candidates even if voters lack detailed information
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Functions of Parties
• Recruit candidates
• Nominate candidates
• Mobilize voters
• Contest elections
• Form governments
• Coordinate policy across independent units of government
• Provide accountability
• Build legislative majorities
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Three Levels of Parties in US
• Party in the electorate: party identifiers (not members)
• Party organization: national and state chairs, convention delegates, precinct captains
• Party in the legislature: Speaker, Majority and Minority Leaders, whips, campaign committees
• The three levels may NOT be coordinated or consistent in policy views. Convention delegates are much more ideological than voters.
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Direct Primary
ClosedPrimary
OpenPrimary
BlanketPrimary
Methods of Nominating Candidates: Varies by State
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An election in which voters and not party leaders
directly choose a party's nominees for political
office.
Direct Primary
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A direct primary in which voters may choose which
party primary they will vote in on Election Day
OpenPrimary
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A direct primary in which voters must register their party affiliations before
Election Day. Preferred by parties to prevent strategic
voting.
ClosedPrimary
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Strategic Voting
• Vote to influence election outcome
• May vote AGAINST personal preference or ideology
• Examples:
1. Republicans vote in Democratic primary to select the weaker candidate, so that the Republican candidate will have a better chance in the regular election.
2. Member of Congress votes FOR a bill s/he opposes, to be eligible to serve on the Conference Committee and change the bill there.
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A direct primary in which voters may cast ballots for
candidates of any party, but may only vote once for each office. Gives parties minimal
control over candidates.
BlanketPrimary
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Spatial Model of Elections
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Ethics vs. Strategic Voting Dilemmas
• 1. Candidates should run on their deeply-held personal beliefs and values regardless of what voters think.
• 2. Candidates should change their policy positions in order to attract votes.
• 3. Once elected, should officials follow their campaign promises, or their true values?
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Third-Party Challenge
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Single Member Plurality Electoral System
A system in which each district elects a single member as its representative;
the winner in each district is the candidate who receives a plurality of
the vote.
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Proportional Representation System
A system in which legislators are elected at large and each party wins legislative seats in proportion to the
number of votes it receives.
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Voting in the Electoral College
• In most states, the plurality winner gets ALL the electoral votes: Winner-Take All rule. Maximizes state influence in the campaign and Electoral College.
• In Maine and Nebraska, electoral votes are awarded in proportion to the popular vote. Better representation of voter preferences.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006
9-3a First Party System
1796–1824
Federalists
• Led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams
• Sought a strong central government
Democrat-Republicans
• Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
• Sought a weak federal government
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9-3b Second Party System
1828–1856
Democrats
• Led by Andrew Jackson
• Used party organization to mobilize voters
• Used new convention system
Whigs
• Built a coalition of Northern Industrialists and rich Southerners
• Led by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay at times
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• Most Democrats were from the South
• Fought many close elections with the Republicans
Republicans
• Sought to give a clear anti-slavery choice
• Abraham Lincoln won the White House in 1860
9-3c Third Party System
1860–1892
Democrats
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• Cleveland in office during 1893 depression
• William Jennings Bryan, running on populist platform was nominee
• Blamed Democrats for economic problems
• Nominated McKinley
• Roosevelt ran as a progressive Republican
• Dominated the White House during this time
9-3d Fourth Party System
1896–1928
Democrats Republicans
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• Roosevelt launches New Deal
• Southerners remained loyal
• Upper and middle class moved towards Republicans
• Made election inroads during the 1960s
Democrats Republicans
9-3e Fifth Party System 1932–1980s
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Republican Realignment?
• Growing strength of Republicans in the South
• Strong majority for Ronald Reagan in 1980
• More younger voters identify as Republicans
• Republican take-over of both houses of Congress in 1994
• Republican president elected in 2000 (?) and 2004
• Strong party voting by Republicans in Congress
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Signs of Party Dealignment?
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Party Organization Hierarchy
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Why are third parties so weak in the US?
1. Electoral College and winner-take-all rules
2. No proportional representation
3. Major parties make it difficult for 3rd parties to qualify for state ballots
4. Can still influence election outcomes:
Votes for Ralph Nader in 2000 gave Florida to Bush
Major parties may adopt popular 3rd party ideas
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