Political Parties

Political Party Definition – a

group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding public office.

What Political Parties Do -

Nominate candidates Inform the people and stimulate

interest and participation Governmental responsibilities Watchdog function Provide a Label Organization of recruiting candidates

Two Party System – A Rarity

Reasons Historical tradition

Federalists and Antifederalists Comfort Level (we like it)

Force of tradition Established and continues State laws made by the two

party to keep others out Electoral College system

Winner take all elections

Advantages and disadvantages?

Two Party System Found in representative democracies Often moderate to gain votes Majority view – unity Stable Opposition power to be the “watchdog” Issues can overlap both parties U.S. – Democrats and Republicans Great Britain – Labour and

Conservatives

Political Party Types

Multiparty system Strong on Issues Absence of a unified

majority Coalitions must be

formed to pass legislation

Unstable at times Hiltler and Mussolini

gained power during troubled times

One Party system Found in

dictatorships Doesn’t represent

the people’s views Can’t be replaced

through the political process

Use of propaganda and terror

Democrats and

Republicans

Republicans Favor free enterprise over government in

solving problems. Want to reduce the size of government Maintain the status quo Upper and middle class support Business oriented – deregulation Strong defense program State’s rights Low taxes

Democrats Seek changes Want to expand the size of

government Favor government for solving problems Social programs over defense Support of lower income, labor unions,

ethnic & racial minorities, women Middle and lower class support More control and regulation

Minor Parties – Spoilers or Issues Splinter Parties

Bull Moose or Dixiecrats Single-Issue Parties

Free Soil Party Economic Protest Parties

Disgust with how the major parties are handling things

Populist Ideological beliefs (most enduring)

Socialists or Communists

Organization of Political Parties

President’s also the Political Party leader

No Chain of Command from National, State and Local level Each level tries to cooperate

Federalism Highly Decentralized

Fragmented, Factions Internal Squabbling More candidates than positions

What is the future of the Major Parties?

Decreasing in power and influence Becoming more decisive in some areas and

blurring the lines in others… Party identification decreasing Split ticket voting Change in methods in Campaigning Move away from caucuses to primaries Elections chose candidates not party

leaders Political machine of the late 19th and early

20th century Single issue organizations

PAC’s

National Party Machine

National Chairperson 4 year term

National Committee Raise Money National Convention

Congressional Campaign Committee RNC moves to bureaucratic structure; a well-financed party

devoted to electing its candidates DNC and RNC send money to state parties, to sidestep

federal spending limits Democrats remain a collection of feuding factions

Will Howard Dean make a difference?

The National Chairperson

Head of the national committee. Directs the work of the party’s

headquarters and its staff in Washington.

Goals include: raising money, recruiting new voters, and preparing for the next presidential season.

National conventions National committee sets time and

place; issues call setting number of delegates for each state

Democrat formula rewards large states; and Republican rewards loyal states

Conventions today only ratify choices made in primaries

Adopts party rules. Write a platform for the

candidate.

The Congressional Campaign Committees. These committees work to reelect

incumbent office holders. These members are chosen by their

colleagues.

State and Local Party Machinery How are states set up? Ward: unit in which cities are

divided for the election of city council members

Precinct: Divides up where people can vote.

Decline in Major Parties

People will not identify themselves as Rep. Or Dem.

Split-Ticket Voting Campaign finance laws leading to

disorganization Technology in gaining voters Single issue organizations

Hierarchy

National LevelState Organization

Local Ward

Precinct

Types of Political Parties Personality Party

Dynamic leader Party dissolves when the leader leaves

or loses strength Ross Perot – Reform Party

Principle Party Issue oriented- last longer than

personality party What is right

Right to life – flat tax

Party of Power 2 party system – works in the system Compromises to get elected

IssuesDemocrats Issue Republicans

Death Penalty

Federal Health Care

Rt to Bear Arms

Abortion

Voucher System

Defense Spending

Affirmative action