Chapter 5Political Parties

“A party of order or stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary

elements of a healthy state of political life.” ~ John Stuart Mill

The Two-Party System

(Major) Party- a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office(s).◦ Republicans ◦ Democrats

(Minor) Party- one of the many political parties without wide voter support.◦ Green Party ◦ Prohibition Party

Two-Party System

Where in a typical political election, two major parties dominate American politics.

A number of factors explain why America has had and continues to have a two-party system.

Two-Party System

Framers of the Constitution were opposed to political parties.◦ Federalist No. 10: One can either destroy the

factions, or somehow, control its outcomes.◦ Bi-partisan system still follows Madison’s

“multiple” faction government.◦ Federalist No. 14: “Big Tent” involves inviting

multiple factions/spheres of thought into the Big Tent

◦ A means of controlling the “mob mentality”

The Historical Basis

Started with the Federalists and Anti-Federalist◦ More Americans except the idea of a two-party

system because there has always been one◦ James Madison said that a larger Republic is

better, as to increase the number of factions, and to distribute power No one party can overpower the system… or can

they?

The Force of Tradition

Single-member districts: Electoral process in which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office

Plurality: The winning candidate who receives a the largest number of votes cast for an office ◦ The plurality does NOT have to be the majority

Bipartisan: The two major political parties find common ground and work Together

The Electoral System

The American people over time have shared many of the same ideals, same basic principles, and same patterns of belief

Pluralistic Society: One consisting of several distinct cultures and groups◦ The United States is the “melting pot” of the

world

Federalist Paper No. 55◦ Argues that a smaller assembly is better for the

country. More likely to get things RATIFIED◦ However, this is contradictory to the People’s

Voice

The American Ideological Consensus

Consensus: A general agreement◦ Not always so in American society1. American Civil War2. Great Depression3. Vietnam Era4. Persian Gulf War II (Afghanistan and Iraq)5. Party Polarity (Republicans v. Democrats)

American Ideological Consensus

Third Party?

A system in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win public office(s).

Based around particular interests, including:◦ Economic class◦ Religious beliefs◦ Sectional attachment◦ Political ideology

Creates a broader and more diverse representation of electorates.

Multiparty Systems

One-party Systems A political system in which only one party

exists. Falls under a dictatorship in many nations. Within the United States, a modified one-

party system is prevalent in certain regions of the country.

Post Civil War Elections:◦ Republican party = New England & Midwest◦ Democrats = South

Federalist No. 10 & 51 Both majority and minority factions are

brought up, and Madison believes that the majority factions are the most dangerous.

Using the liberties of citizens can bring down a Democracy.

Factions- conflicting groups

The Two-Party System in America

Election of 1800◦ “The Great Revolution” signified the transfer of

political powers from one political party to another

◦ The incumbent Federalist president, John Adams, was defeated by Republican Thomas Jefferson Incumbent- current office holder

Since then, there have been 4 major periods of political party dominance.

First Political Parties

Era of the Democrats (1800-1860) Although called Republicans, the

Democratic-Republicans can be compared to the Democratic Party of today.

Ran unopposed in national politics up to 1830.◦ Split up into factions with the introduction of the

Andrew Jackson administration◦ National Republicans (Whigs) vs. Democrats

American Parties

Era of the Republicans (1860-1932) Republican dominance started in 1860 with

the election of President Lincoln. Only political party to jump from 3rd party to

major party status Electorate- the people eligible to vote. Sectionalism- the devotion toward interests

of one section of the country or population

American Parties

The New Democratic Era (1932-1968) The Great Depression brought the election

of a new American leader, FDR Democrats held the national government up

to the Vietnam War◦ Richard Nixon’s second attempt for the

presidency proved successful for a short-term Republican reign

American Parties

Era of Division (1968-current) New points of interest have created a rift

between the public’s concern and that of the political parties’ agendas

American Parties

The Minor Parties

Ron Paul Ralph Nader

There are MANY neglected third parties that field a presidential candidate◦ Constitution Party◦ Green Party of the U.S.◦ Communist Party◦ Libertarian Party◦ America First Party◦ Freedom Socialist Party◦ Reform Party◦ Prohibition Party◦ American Nazi Party◦ And Many More…

Minority Parties in the U.S.

1. Ideological Parties Parties based on a particular set of beliefs-a

comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters.◦ Have seldom been able to win many votes◦ Libertarian Party- focuses on the individual◦ Communist Party- focuses on the well-being of the

society

4 Types of Minor Parties

2. Single-Issue Parties Parties that focus on only one public-policy

matter◦ Most of these parties fade into history, with the

issue they stood for.◦ The two major parties may address their key

issue, as one of their own.◦ Usually found in the minor party name.

Prohibition Party (Founded 1869) U.S. Marijuana Party (Founded 2002)

4 Types of Minor Parties

3. Economic Protest Parties Parties rooted in periods of economic

discontent. ◦ There is no clear-cut ideological base◦ A disgust toward the two major parties

Occupy Wall Street◦ Most often, they have been sectional parties

Drawing strength from the South & West◦ Greenback Party (1876-1884)◦ Populist Party (1890s)

4 Types of Minor Parties

4. Splinter Parties Parties that have split away from one of the

major political parties◦ Most of the more important 3rd parties have been

splinter parties◦ Form around a strong personality-an individual◦ These parties usually collapse when the individual

steps down Bull Moose Progressive Party Progressive Party

(1912) Green Party with Ralph Nader

4 Types of Minor Parties

Third-party candidacy can act as a “spoiler role” in a close election.◦ Theodore Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party took away

votes from the Republican candidate in the 1912 election

Minor parties act as the critics (bring attention to wrong doing) and innovators (new ideas are co-opted by major parties) for political issues

Why Minority Parties are Important

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dd2-OAgn8Q&feature=related

Effects of Third Party

Party Organization

Each major American political party builds its structure from four basic elements:

1. The National Convention2. The National Committee3. The National Chairperson4. The Congressional Campaign

National Party Machinery

State party foundations are set by State law:1. State Organization- chairperson and the

State Central Committee2. Local Organization- follow the electoral map

of a State◦ Ward: a unit into which cities are often divided for

the election of city council members◦ Precinct: the smallest unit of election

administration◦ Polling Place: voting locations within the precinct

State & Local Party Machinery

1. Nominating Candidates2. Informing & Activating Supporters: shared

with news media & interest groups3. Bonding Agent: tries to pick qualified

candidates with good moral character4. Watch Dog: party out of power watches party

in power (holds the White House)5. Governing: office holders, executive

appointments, etc…basis for conducting government, provides channels for the Exec/Leg branches to work together

Roles of the Major Parties

*Sharp drop in number of voters who classify themselves as Republican or Democrat

Rise in Independents/Minor Parties*Split-Ticket Voting: voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election

A true system with bipartisan behaviors – issue voting

*Straight – ticket Voting: voting for all the candidates in one party

* Coattail Effect: Strong candidate helps to attract voters to other lesser candidates in the same party

Reasons for Party Decline

Qualifications set by the States (5 limitations by Constitution):

* Sufferage: the right to vote15th Amendment: removed race/color19th Amendment: removed sex/gender23rd Amendment: DC right to vote24th Amendment: eliminated poll taxes26th Amendment: 18 yr olds can vote

Voting Rights Act of 1965: removed literacy tests, gave Federal government more power to enforce 15th amendment being ignored by the states

National Voter Registration Act 1993 (Motor Voter Act):Allowed people to register to vote by mail, @ time of license renewal/application, with registration forms found in public assistance offices

Voter Qualifications:

OPEN PRIMARY: any qualified voter may vote CLOSED PRIMARY: only declared party members may voteCAUCUS/ CONVENTION: groups of like-minded people who meet to sect candidates for electionGENERAL ELECTION: all or most memebers of a given political body are up for election

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS: private organizations trying to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of its members – to shape public policy

PAC’s: Political Action Committes – political arms of special interest groups, lobbyists

HARD MONEY: $$ contributed directly to the candidate, subject to regulation ($2400 ind/ $5000 org)SOFT MONEY:$$ contributed to the political party by large donors, unregulated