Political Parties

Just what is a political party?

Can you name 4 political parties?

Where would you place these parties on the political spectrum?

What is a Party?•A political party is a group of people

who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office.•The two major parties in American

politics are the Republican and Democratic parties.

•Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented. The

American parties are election-oriented.

What do Parties Do? Nominate—Recruit, choose, and

present candidates for public office. Inform and Activate Supporters—

Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates.

Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.

As you reflect on your research on Minor Parties,

Please 1.Describe the Party, 2.Compare the Party to something else, and

3.finally argue for or against the party….

For Example…If I studied the Communist Party…I would say: The Communist Party is a party that believes in the revolution of the working class into a classless society where all workers unite. It could be compared to anarchy because they believe that no one should be the leader of a society. Finally, I argue that the Communist Party is a positive force for democracy because they believe everyone is given a fair and equal chance and all resources are equally divided among the people.

Questions to consider…

Who is the barber?

Why do the perceptions of the mom and dad differ?

Do these perceptions match today’s reality?

Different Manifestations of Party:The Party As…

A Label… An electorate… An organization… A set of leaders

(run government)

Ahnold says“wote weepub-lican!”

President Hillary…I like that!

Parties areon themarch!

Why is there a two Party System?

The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.

The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

Additional reasons for two Party System…

Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States.

Factors that influence Party Membership

Family Major events

Economic Status Religion

Occupation Age

The First Political Parties

Federalists Led by Alexander

Hamilton Represented wealthy

and upper-class interests

Favored strong executive leadership and liberal interpretation of the Constitution

Anti-Federalists Led by Thomas

Jefferson Represented the

“common man” Favored Congress as

the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

Party Systems One-Party; totalitarian, undemocratic Bi-party; less choice, lots of stability Multi-party; more choice, less stability

Problem of coalition government US and England = Bi-party Italy and Israel = Multi-party

Presidential Election Process and Third Parties

1. Who is Ross Perot?

2. What challenges do third parties face in the electoral process?

3. How does the media impact presidential elections?

4. Do you agree or disagree that Americans are an overindulged people? Why??

History of American Parties

The FoundingFounders disliked factionalism

First organized party was the followers of Jefferson, Republicans (not like they are defined today, more our present day Democratic party)

Followers of Hamilton kept the name Federalists

The Era of the Democrats

1800—1860 Democrats dominate all but two presidential

elections. The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines

by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents. The Republican Party is founded in 1854 on

the basis of clear cut opposition to slavery. Democratic party split because of the issue.

Economic Realignment1896

Realignment-lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties

Depression hit farmers in the Midwest and the South

Prices paid to farmers was declining Led to the development of the

Green backers and the Populists (Economic Protest Parties)

History Continued…

The Era of the Republicans, 1860—1932Republicans dominate all but

four presidential elections.The Civil War disabled the

Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.

Party Realignment or Critical Elections

Alternation of one party dominance to the other party

Critical Elections-sharp, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one of both parties

The issues that separate the parties change and so do the party supporters

5 critical realignments in history (1800, 1828, 1860, 1896, 1932) Critical realignment for the Republicans in ’94?

Or party dealignment (due to weakened PP’s)?

The Third Era

The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968Democrats dominate all but

two presidential elections.Democrat Franklin D.

Roosevelt is elected President four times.

The New Deal takes off!

What is the current party situation?

Factionalize within selves-distribute power and loose elections

Initiative and Referendum take away power of party and bring more power to the people

Dems have become more liberal Repubs have become more conservative Primaries especially to secure the

“regulars” Aim toward the middle during the general

elections

Minor Parties in the United States

Splinter Party

Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive

Party-against patronage system

Economic Protest Parties

Example: The Greenback Party-

against gov’t regulation of $

Ideological Parties

Example: Libertarian

Party-rights of the individual

Types of Minor Parties

Single-issue Parties

Example: Free Soil Party-eliminate slavery

Why are Minor Parties important?

Minor parties play several important roles:“Spoiler Role”

CriticInnovator

The Decentralized Nature of the Parties

Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented.

Why?

Minor Parties in the United StatesMinor Parties in the United States

Reasons for Party Decline

Mistrust of Government Independents (Divided Government) Split Ticket Voting “Open” Primaries Technology End of Patronage All of the above leads to… Electoral Independence!!

The Rise of Independent Voters…

Mistrust of Government

Gerrymander

Done EVERY ten yearsand controlled by State Legislatures…that are controlledby…You guessed it, a POLITICAL PARTY!

How does the U.S. Compare to Europe?

In Europe people pay dues and go to meetings US vote with party representation No primary system in Europe-party leaders put

you on the ballot No parliamentary system in U.S. No federalism in Europe Majority in Europe to win election-will keep having

run-off elections to determine a winner Plurality in U.S. to win election (winner take all)

Party Platform Differences

The Political Parties are NOT the same. They are supported by different types of people who feel differently on issues. Bills in Congress reflect party-line voting at least 90% of the time! If there wasn’t a “dimes worth of difference” between the parties, this would not be the case.

What is a Political Platform?

States the main ideas of the party

Explains why it was started, stance on main issues and current agenda

State and Local Party Machinery

State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually follow the general principles below.

The Three Components of the Party

The Party in the Electorate

Those who always or almost always vote

for party candidates.

The Party Organization:

Those who run and control the party

machinery.

Party Components

The Party in Government

Those who hold office in the government.

More on the Future…

For candidates: Structural changes have increased conflict

and disorganization within parties Changes in the technology of

campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization

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

To summarize the info we learned today…

Create a one sentence summary using the following prompt….

A___________is a kind of______________

that__________________.

___________happens because________________.