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Political PartiesDEMOCRACY &

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6.4 Political Party BasicsPolitical Parties

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» An organized group of individuals who seek to win elections in order to control government and shape public policy

Parties develop political “platforms”.

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WHAT ARE POLITICAL PARTIES? ULTIMATE GOAL?

6.4 Basics of Political Parties

6.4 Constitution Are Political Parties included in the

Constitution?

Political parties are not included in the Constitution…

Did the Framers expect parties to develop?

Washington, Madison, and others warned against “the spirit of [political] parties”

The Framers believed something like today’s political parties were inevitable

○ Rigid Two-party system?

Though not mentioned in the Constitution, political parties are an essential feature of modern government.

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Shape almost all aspects of government today In Congress, the party in power (majority) largely sets the agenda

and thus shapes public policy.

Parties promote democracy: Help define and focus the issues for the voters Gives some predictability to the candidates

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6.4 Importance

Provide checks and balances:

The minority party = watch dog○ Criticize… offer alternative policies / solutions

○ Democrats = War in Iraq○ Republicans = national debt and the size &

scope of government.

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6.4 Importance

6.5 Development & Organization of U.S. Parties

Political Parties

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6.5 Development & Organization of Parties

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5a When did political parties first develop?

Early… Two opposing parties, the Federalists and the Jeffersonian-Republicans in election of 1800

5a How did our current two-party system start?

Today’s Democratic party was organized under the leadership Andrew Jackson in the 1820’s

The Republicans ran their first presidential candidate, Abraham Lincoln, in 1860

6.5b Weakness of Modern U.S. Parties

US Europe

Weak – relative to their European counter parts & relative to their own power in the past Rise of Independent voters –

decline in voter loyalty to the party Split – ticket voting Primary Elections - Do not control

nominations as they once did - Candidates don’t have to be loyal to the party – Progressive Reforms

State and local parties are independent from the national party

Relatively Strong European Parties control who

gets nominated … … thus candidates must be

loyal to the party

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RNC Republican National

Committee RNC chair

DNC Democratic National

Committee DNC chair

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6.5c Organization

Each party organizes a national convention.

Purpose? Formal selection of the parties

presidential candidate by pledged delegates

Develop the party platform

Where? (Swing States)

Republicans 2016 – Cleveland OH Democrats 2016 – New York (?)

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6.5c Organization

6.6 Balance of PowerParties

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» The Fight for Majority Control :

2001 - ○ Jim Jeffords breaks from the Republican party○ 2002 - brings power back to the Republicans

2006 - ○ Democrats win back both the House and Senate

2008 – ○ Democrats gain more seats in Congress & elect a president!!

2010 – ○ Republicans take back the House

2014 –○ Republicans take the majority in the Senate, up their majority in the House

» Party Resurgence (CNN, 2008)

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6.5d Balance of Power

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2004-2006

6.5 Balance of Power

Post 2006 House

202 R

233 D

Post 2006 Senate:

49 R

51 D

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6.5 Balance of Power - 2006

Pre 2010 House Balance:

255 D’s178 R’s2 vacancies

Senate Balance59 D’s41 R’s

Post 2010 House Balance:

Senate Balance:

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Clerk of the House

6.5 Balance of Power - 2010

6.5f Critical Elections / Realignment

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Realignment For Dummies (HH)

6. 6 THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM

POLITICAL PARTIES

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» Party systems: One Party Two Party Multiparty

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6.6a The Two-Party System

Multiparty System - UK

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House of Commons – Coalition Government

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Why does the U.S. have a two-party system?

U.S. has single-member districts & winner-take-all system

○ This is sometimes referred to as “First past the post”

○ In contrast: Europe = Proportional System

○ Ross Perot won 19% of the popular vote in 1992, but won NO electoral votes.

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6.6a The Two-Party System

Why two-party system cont.

Legal & political barriers for third-party candidates:

○ Ballot access ….. Wasted vote principle

○ Two major parties are institutionalized

Brand Name ……. Raising money

No charismatic third party leaders or platforms

○ Third parties tend to be more extreme

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6.6 The Two-Party System

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6.7 THIRD PARTIESROLE OF

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» 7a Third Parties defined … Any party other than the two major parties What are the major types of Third Parties in

U.S.?○ Single issue ……Ideological …….Splinter

» 7a-b What effect do third parties have? Potentially swing elections…

○ Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose party (1912)○ Ralph Nader and the Green party (2000)

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6.7a-b Third Parties

6.7b Notable Third Party Candidates Ralph Nader = Green Party

Ross Perot = Reform Party

Politics 1

Light Party

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6.7c Is it time to end the two party system? Dealignment and the rise of the

Independent (non affiliated)t Voter

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6.8 ElectionsElections

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Primary elections / season Open v Close Primary Caucus v. Direct Primary Super Tuesday

General elections / season Mid term election Presidential election

Party convention Delegates Incumbent Inauguration

6.8a ELECTIONS - TIMELINE

6.8b Election Cycles Presidential Elections

Primary Season (CNN 2012) General Season Voter Turnout? Campaign Strategy?

Mid Term Elections Primary Season General Season Voter Turnout? Campaign Strategy?

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Presidential v Midterm Turnout Elections

Primary Election Turnout

2008 Primaries

Jason Chaffetz unseated incumbent Chris Cannon in the 2008 Utah primaries

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2010 Primaries Incumbent Bob Bennett was

unseated by Mike Lee at the 2010 Utah Republican convention

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In-Depth – Party Coalitions Party Factions Both Democrats and Republicans

have developed factionsTea partyBlue Dog Democrats

Fiscal Crisis …○ Cliffhanger (Frontline)

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