Chapter 5 Political Parties. Section 1: Parties and what they do “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Vince Lombardi “Winning isn’t everything;

Chapter 5Chapter 5

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Section 1: Parties and what they Section 1: Parties and what they dodo

• ““Winning isn’t everything; it’s the Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Vince Lombardionly thing.” Vince Lombardi

What is a party?What is a party?

Political PartyPolitical Party A group or persons who seek to control A group or persons who seek to control

government through the winning of elections government through the winning of elections and the holding of public officeand the holding of public office

Generally joined together on common Generally joined together on common ideology pertaining to public policies and ideology pertaining to public policies and programsprograms

particular set of beliefs or views on social, particular set of beliefs or views on social, economic and political matterseconomic and political matters

U.S. U.S. major partiesmajor parties are more election are more election oriented than issue orientedoriented than issue oriented

What do parties do?What do parties do?

They are the major mechanisms behind They are the major mechanisms behind the development of broad policy and the development of broad policy and leadership choicesleadership choices

Vital link between people and their Vital link between people and their governmentgovernment

They bring together conflicting groupsThey bring together conflicting groups Nominating CandidatesNominating Candidates

Name candidates for public officeName candidates for public office Informing and activating supportersInforming and activating supporters

They campaign for their candidates and their They campaign for their candidates and their positionspositions

which activates citizen interest and participation in which activates citizen interest and participation in public affairspublic affairs

they “educate” the public, in order to they “educate” the public, in order to persuadepersuade

What do parties do? (Con’t)What do parties do? (Con’t) Both parties try to shape positions that will attract Both parties try to shape positions that will attract

as many voters as possibleas many voters as possible Possibly offending as few voters as possiblePossibly offending as few voters as possible

The Bonding Agent FunctionThe Bonding Agent Function Parties work to ensure that candidates are both qualified Parties work to ensure that candidates are both qualified

and of good characterand of good character GoverningGoverning

U.S. government primarily controlled by partiesU.S. government primarily controlled by parties Much of the government business is done on the basis of Much of the government business is done on the basis of

partisanshippartisanship the strong support of their party and its policy stancethe strong support of their party and its policy stance

allows separation of powers between legislative and allows separation of powers between legislative and executive branchesexecutive branches

Act as WatchdogAct as Watchdog The party out of power tends to criticize the policies and The party out of power tends to criticize the policies and

behavior of the behavior of the party in powerparty in power

Section 2: The Two party Section 2: The Two party systemsystem

Why a Two-Party System?Why a Two-Party System?

U.S. has primarily a U.S. has primarily a Two-Party SystemTwo-Party System Two major political partiesTwo major political parties

There are minor partiesThere are minor parties Political parties without wide voter supportPolitical parties without wide voter support

Multiple reasons for U.S. having two Multiple reasons for U.S. having two party systemparty system

The Historical BasisThe Historical Basis Ratification of Constitution created two political Ratification of Constitution created two political

groupsgroups Federalist and Anti-FederalistFederalist and Anti-Federalist

Framers however did not like political partiesFramers however did not like political parties The Force of TraditionThe Force of Tradition

Human institutions tend to be self-perpetuatingHuman institutions tend to be self-perpetuating TraditionTradition

Why a Two-Party System? Why a Two-Party System? (Con’t)(Con’t)

The Electoral SystemThe Electoral System Most elections in U.S. are for Most elections in U.S. are for single-single-

member districtsmember districts Where only one candidate selected for officeWhere only one candidate selected for office

Members tend to get Members tend to get pluralityplurality Largest number of votes cast for the officeLargest number of votes cast for the office People hate “wasting a vote”People hate “wasting a vote”

Republicans and Democrats work Republicans and Democrats work bipartisanbipartisan to keep other parties out of systemto keep other parties out of system

They find common ground and work togetherThey find common ground and work together Difficult for minor parties to get on all ballotsDifficult for minor parties to get on all ballots

Why a Two-Party System? Why a Two-Party System? (Con’t)(Con’t)

The American Ideological consensusThe American Ideological consensus Tend to be homogeneousTend to be homogeneous

Same ideals, same basic principles, same patterns Same ideals, same basic principles, same patterns of beliefof belief

America is however a America is however a pluralistic societypluralistic society Consisting of many cultures and groupsConsisting of many cultures and groups

However there is a However there is a consensusconsensus on on fundamental mattersfundamental matters

A general agreement among various groupsA general agreement among various groups Both Republicans and Democrats look much Both Republicans and Democrats look much

alike and tend to be moderatealike and tend to be moderate Biggest differenceBiggest difference Democrats tend to want a bigger governmentDemocrats tend to want a bigger government Republicans tend to want a smaller governmentRepublicans tend to want a smaller government

Multiparty SystemMultiparty System

Europeans have a Europeans have a multiparty systemmultiparty system in in their democraciestheir democracies

System in which several major and many System in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for and lesser parties exist, seriously compete for and actually win public officesactually win public offices

Party based on a particular interestParty based on a particular interest While it does produce broader While it does produce broader

representation, it also creates government representation, it also creates government instabilityinstability

Requires the creation of a Requires the creation of a coalitioncoalition Temporary alliance of several groups who Temporary alliance of several groups who

come together to form a working majority in come together to form a working majority in order to control a governmentorder to control a government

One-Party SystemOne-Party System

Only one party is allowed to run for Only one party is allowed to run for officeoffice

Most dictatorshipsMost dictatorships Some parts of the U.S have been a Some parts of the U.S have been a

modified modified one-party systemone-party system

One-Party SystemsOne-Party Systems

Chapter 5, Section 2Chapter 5, Section 233 4411 55

Types of One-Party Systems

Example:

Republican North and Democratic South until the

1950s.

Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins

most elections

One Party Systems where only one party is

allowed.

Example:

Dictatorships such as Stalinist Russia


Factors that can influence Factors that can influence party membership:party membership:

Party Membership PatternsParty Membership Patterns

Family Major events

Economic Status Religion

Occupation Age

Party Membership PatternsParty Membership Patterns

Membership in parties is voluntaryMembership in parties is voluntary Political parties tend to have a cross Political parties tend to have a cross

section of supportsection of support TypicallyTypically

Democrats get votes from African Americans, Democrats get votes from African Americans, Catholics, Jews and Union membersCatholics, Jews and Union members

Republicans tend to get votes from white males, Republicans tend to get votes from white males, protestants and business communityprotestants and business community

Biggest pattern based on family preferenceBiggest pattern based on family preference Nearly 2/3 of U.S. vote the way their families Nearly 2/3 of U.S. vote the way their families

votevote

Party Membership Patterns Party Membership Patterns (Con’t)(Con’t)

History determinesHistory determines Based on world events and/ or against Based on world events and/ or against

the party in powerthe party in power IncomeIncome

Higher incomes for republicansHigher incomes for republicans Lower incomes for democratsLower incomes for democrats

Other factorsOther factors Age, place of residence, level of Age, place of residence, level of

education, work environment, religioneducation, work environment, religion

Section 3: The Two party Section 3: The Two party system in American Historysystem in American History

The Nation’s First PartiesThe Nation’s First Parties

Ratification of the constitutionRatification of the constitution FederalistFederalist

wanted a stronger national governmentwanted a stronger national government appealed to financial, manufacturing and appealed to financial, manufacturing and

commercial interestscommercial interests led by Alexander Hamiltonled by Alexander Hamilton

The Nation’s First Parties The Nation’s First Parties (Con’t)(Con’t)

Anti-FederalistAnti-Federalist More sympathetic to the “Common More sympathetic to the “Common

Man”Man” Favored limited governmentFavored limited government led by Thomas Jeffersonled by Thomas Jefferson

Beginnings of the Democratic PartyBeginnings of the Democratic Party John Adams was the last federalist John Adams was the last federalist

candidatecandidate He was the He was the incumbentincumbent but was beat but was beat

by Jefferson in 1800by Jefferson in 1800 Current office holderCurrent office holder

American Parties: Four Major American Parties: Four Major ErasEras

The era of the Democrats, 1800-1860The era of the Democrats, 1800-1860 They controlled most politics till mid-1820’sThey controlled most politics till mid-1820’s Then split into Then split into factionsfactions

conflicting groupsconflicting groups split over public lands, 2nd bank of U.S., high split over public lands, 2nd bank of U.S., high

tariffs, and slaverytariffs, and slavery Andrew Jackson changed political landscapeAndrew Jackson changed political landscape

voting rights for all white malesvoting rights for all white males an increase in number of elected officesan increase in number of elected offices Spoil system: awarding government favors for Spoil system: awarding government favors for

those who supported the partythose who supported the party Civil war split DemocratsCivil war split Democrats

helped by the rise of the Whig Partyhelped by the rise of the Whig Party

American Parties: Four Major American Parties: Four Major Eras (Con’t)Eras (Con’t)

Republican Era, 1860-1932Republican Era, 1860-1932 Election of Lincoln ushered the Election of Lincoln ushered the

republicans from a third-party to a republicans from a third-party to a major partymajor party

Good economic times kept the GOP in Good economic times kept the GOP in powerpower

1896 GOP expanded it’s 1896 GOP expanded it’s electorateelectorate people eligible to votepeople eligible to vote however, Democrats went away from however, Democrats went away from

sectionalismsectionalism focus on a particular regionfocus on a particular region

American Parties: Four Major American Parties: Four Major Eras (Con’t)Eras (Con’t)

The return of the Democrats, 1932-The return of the Democrats, 1932-19681968

The Great Depression ushered in FDR to The Great Depression ushered in FDR to officeoffice

His New Deal program expanded the His New Deal program expanded the electorateelectorate for the Democrats for the Democrats

Only lasted till the pressures of Vietnam in Only lasted till the pressures of Vietnam in the mid 1960’sthe mid 1960’s

The start of a new eraThe start of a new era From Nixon to today, has been marked From Nixon to today, has been marked

with a divided-partisan governmentwith a divided-partisan government

Section 4: The Minor PartiesSection 4: The Minor Parties

Minor parties in the U.S.Minor parties in the U.S.

Vary in size and scopeVary in size and scope Ideological partiesIdeological parties

Based on a particular set of beliefsBased on a particular set of beliefs ExampleExample

socialist party, libertarian partysocialist party, libertarian party

Single issue partiesSingle issue parties names based on their issuenames based on their issue

Minor parties in the U.S. Minor parties in the U.S. (Con’t)(Con’t)

Economic Protest partiesEconomic Protest parties Demanded economic changes to the Demanded economic changes to the

Major partiesMajor parties faded demands after economics improvesfaded demands after economics improves ExampleExample

Greenback party and Populist partyGreenback party and Populist party

Splinter partiesSplinter parties Groups that split from major partiesGroups that split from major parties

normally short livednormally short lived

Why Minor parties are Why Minor parties are importantimportant

Help impact policies and bring them Help impact policies and bring them to the fore-frontto the fore-front

Also they play the “Spoiler-role”Also they play the “Spoiler-role” Minor parties tend to make clear-Minor parties tend to make clear-

cut stands on issuescut stands on issues Progressive income tax, women’s Progressive income tax, women’s

suffrage, railroad and bank regulation, suffrage, railroad and bank regulation, and old age pension plansand old age pension plans

Problem is major parties adapt to Problem is major parties adapt to minor parties platformminor parties platform

Minor Parties in the United Minor Parties in the United StatesStates


Splinter Party

Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive

Party

Economic Protest Parties

Example: The Greenback Party

Ideological Parties

Example: Libtertarian

Party

Types of Minor Parties

Single-issue Parties

Example: Free Soil Party


Minor Parties in the United StatesMinor Parties in the United States

Section 5: Party OrganizationSection 5: Party Organization

National Party MachineryNational Party Machinery

National ConventionNational Convention Considered party’s national voiceConsidered party’s national voice Meet to nominate party’s Vice Meet to nominate party’s Vice

Presidential and Presidential candidatesPresidential and Presidential candidates Today is more of a pep rallyToday is more of a pep rally

The National CommitteeThe National Committee The party’s affairs are controlled hereThe party’s affairs are controlled here Really, only works to organize National Really, only works to organize National

ConventionConvention

National Party Machinery National Party Machinery (Con’t)(Con’t)

The National ChairpersonThe National Chairperson Leader of National CommitteeLeader of National Committee

Directs the work of the party’s headquarterDirects the work of the party’s headquarter Otherwise in charge of promoting party Otherwise in charge of promoting party

unity, raising money, recruiting new voters, unity, raising money, recruiting new voters, and preparing for presidential electionsand preparing for presidential elections

The Congressional Campaign The Congressional Campaign CommitteesCommittees

In charge of getting incumbents re-electedIn charge of getting incumbents re-elected

State and Local MachineryState and Local Machinery

Organized by electoral mapOrganized by electoral map Split-up into congressional districts Split-up into congressional districts

within stateswithin states Then into wards and precinctsThen into wards and precincts WardWard: a unit into which cities are : a unit into which cities are

often divided for election of city often divided for election of city council memberscouncil members

PrecinctPrecinct: voters in each report to one : voters in each report to one polling placepolling place

State and Local Party State and Local Party Machinery Machinery


State and local party organization State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually varies from State to State, but usually

follow the general principles below.follow the general principles below.

The Future of the Major The Future of the Major PartiesParties

Split-ticket votingSplit-ticket voting Voting for candidates of different Voting for candidates of different

parties for different offices at the same parties for different offices at the same timetime

The Future of Major PartiesThe Future of Major Parties

For votersFor voters : : More people are unwilling More people are unwilling

to label themselves as to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Democrats” or “Republicans”“Republicans”

Split-ticket voting—voting Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different for candidates of different parties for different offices parties for different offices at the same election at the same election

Chapter 5, Section 5Chapter 5, Section 5

For candidates:For candidates: Structural changes have increased Structural changes have increased

conflict and disorganization within conflict and disorganization within partiesparties

Changes in the technology of Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have television and the Internet, have made candidates more made candidates more independent of the party independent of the party organizationorganization

The growth of single-issue The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates organizations provides candidates with another source of financial with another source of financial supportsupport

Weakened connections to political parties:


Documents

Chapter 5 Political Parties. Section 1: Parties and what they do “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Vince Lombardi “Winning isn’t everything;