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Political PartiesPolitical Parties
Chapter 8
On Political Parties…On Political Parties…
Jefferson: “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”
E.E. Schattschneider: “…political parties created democracy…and democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the parties.”
The Meaning of PartyThe Meaning of Party
Political Party:– A team of men and women seeking to control
government by winning elections
Parties can be thought of in three parts:– Party in the electorate (voters)– Party as an organization (local and national)– Party in government (elected officials)
The Meaning of PartyThe Meaning of Party
Tasks of the Parties– Linkage Institution: The channels through which
people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.
– Parties Pick Candidates– Parties Run Campaigns– Parties provide political identity– Parties Articulate and Endorse Policies– Parties Coordinate Policymaking
Figure 8.1
The Meaning of PartyThe Meaning of Party
The Downs Model: Most voters are moderate so…
Downs ModelDowns Model
The wise party selects policies that are widely favored (moderate).
Both parties stay in the middle on most issues
But they also try to show how they differ2/3 of the population believes there is a
difference between the D’s and the R’s
The Party in the Electorate The Party in the Electorate (Voters)(Voters)
Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.
Ticket-splitting:– Voting with one party for one office and with
another party for other offices.– Ticket-splitting has become the norm in
American voting behavior.
The Party in the ElectorateThe Party in the Electorate
The Party Organizations (local The Party Organizations (local and national government)and national government)
These are the people that work for the party. Local Parties
– Party Machines: Corrupt local interests that controlled city politics prior to 1930’s
– Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines to maintain power.
– Grassroots Movements: Local, citizen-driven action taken to address a hot issue (Em-X bus line, for example)
The Party OrganizationsThe Party Organizations
States: Holding elections is an important state-level task– Closed primaries: voters must be registered with their
party in advance and can only vote for that party– Open primaries: voters decide on election day which
party to participate in, and then only that party– Blanket primaries: voters get a list of all candidates and
can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label
The Party OrganizationsThe Party Organizations
The National Party Organizations– Write the party platform, holds the national
convention– National Convention: The meeting of party
delegates to choose a presidential ticket and platform.
– National Committee: Keeps the party operating between conventions.
– National Chairperson: Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party.
The Party in Government: The Party in Government: Elected Office HoldersElected Office Holders
These are the party members actually elected to government.
Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help.
Coalition:– A group of individuals with a common interest upon
which every political party depends.– Farm / Ag states; black caucus; religious right; labor
unions…
Party Eras in American HistoryParty Eras in American History Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.2)
Party Eras inParty Eras inAmerican HistoryAmerican History
Party Eras– Historical periods in which a majority of votes support
the party in power.
Critical Election– An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new
coalitions emerge.
Party Realignment– The displacement of the majority party by the minority
party, usually during a critical election.
Party Eras inParty Eras inAmerican HistoryAmerican History
1796-1824: The First Party System– Madison warned of “factions”– First party were the Federalists
1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs– Modern party founded by Jackson– Whigs formed mainly in opposition to
Democrats
Party Eras inParty Eras inAmerican HistoryAmerican History
1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras– Republicans rose as the antislavery party– 1896 election revolved around the gold
standard
1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition– Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban
working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners
Party Eras in American HistoryParty Eras in American History
1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government– Party dealignment - disengagement of people
from parties; increase in independents– Party neutrality - people are indifferent towards
the two parties
Party Eras in American HistoryParty Eras in American History
Partisan Control of State Governments: 2005 (Figure 8.3)
VO Key: Theory of Critical VO Key: Theory of Critical ElectionsElections
Read handout describing Key’s thoughts and definitions
Consider the following elections. By Key’s definitions, which were they? Defend your answer.
Reagan v. Carter, 1980Clinton v. Bush, 1992Obama v. McCain, 2008
Third/Minor PartiesThird/Minor Parties
As you watch the film clip…What do most third parties have in
common? Why don’t they win elections?What effects do they have on American
politics (+ / -)?
Third Parties: Their Impact on Third Parties: Their Impact on American PoliticsAmerican Politics
Political parties other than Democrat or Republican
Rarely win electionsThird parties bring new groups and ideas
into politicsTwo-party system discourages extreme
views
Third Parties: Their Impact on Third Parties: Their Impact on American PoliticsAmerican Politics
Winner-take-all system:– Legislative seats awarded only to first place
finishers.Proportional Representation:
– Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party - more votes, more seats
Coalition Government:– Two or more parties join to run government
Understanding Political Understanding Political PartiesParties
Is the Party Over?– Political parties are no longer the chief source
of information for voters– State and national party organizations are
getting stronger– Majority of people still identify with a party,
but still split their tickets– Parties will continue to be around