Political Parties Iii

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

What is the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats?

Why are political parties important in a democracy?Why does the US only have two viable parties?

Voter BehaviorVoter Behavior

Political SocializationPolitical Socialization Source of political beliefs and attitudes

Family and the Social Environment Education Peers Leaders’ Influence Media Political events

Example:– The Great Depression – 60’s and the Vietnam War Era

What are political parties? What are political parties?

Definition Political party is an

organization that seeks to attain political power within a government

Usually by participating in electoral campaigns.

Parties often support a certain ideology

Subgroups interests are integrated

George WashingtonGeorge Washington

“Baneful effects of the spirit of party.”

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

Says nothing about political parties. Why?

Founding fathers felt parties were wicked and corrupt.

Did not want parties to control politics.

Did not want to pervade the entire country and create factions.

Institutional Constraints on Political Parties

Institutional Constraints on Political Parties

Structure and Strength of Parties: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Presidential or Parliamentary System Laws and Constitution

Theory: Lipset and RokkanTheory: Lipset and Rokkan

Theory on Political Cleavages Parties that were formed in the aftermath of political,

religious, and economic revolutions are frozen. State vs. Church Worker vs. Owner Land vs. Industry Center vs. Periphery (Fed vs. State)

These have and will continue to exist in the political arena despite new issues and challenges.

Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology

Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology

Republican Party (GOP)- Considered the more

socially conservative and economically neoliberal.

Laissez-Faire Economics Party Chairman- Ken

Mehlman Democratic Party-

Considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist.

Party Chairman- Howard Dean

US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)


American Revolution

Federalist•Founded by Hamilton

Anti federalist•Founded by Jefferson

Jackson split into a Democratic party

Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs



Federalist and Ant federalist Before the adoption of the Constitution, groups formed around

either supporting or opposing its ratification. Significance of parties grew in the second presidential election.

Transformation of nascent party platforms Federalist-

Commercial Interest Strong Federal Government

Anti-federalist became Republicans (Democratic-Republicans) Artisans and farmers States rights

US Parties: The Feel Good EraUS Parties: The Feel Good Era

Consolidation of US Government

Republicans

Jackson split into a Democratic party

Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs

The Era of Feel GoodThe Era of Feel Good

Transformation of two party system Most people votes Republican. Virtual collapse of the Federalist party by

1816 No opposition party, so internal fighting.

Republican Platform Still opposed federalist ideas of big central

govt, but the US govt acquired Lo. And Fl. Established national bank

US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

Prelude to Civil War

Democrats: JacksonWhig party (National Republicans )

Southern Whigs ceased to exist (dealigned)

Lincoln’s Republican party:Northern Whigs realigned, and united with antislavery Democrats

and radical antislavery Free Soil party

Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

Republican Split The “era of personal politics” created faction in

Republican party, Adams altered the name to National Republicans.

Later became the Whigs. Jackson formed the Democratic Party

Platforms Whigs

Federal spending on infrastructure Democrats

Personal Liberty Opportunity for the common man (only white man)

US Parties: Third Party System: Civil War and Post Civil War

(1854–1896)

US Parties: Third Party System: Civil War and Post Civil War

(1854–1896)

Slavery split parties Whigs split

Realignment- Northern industrialist merged with antislavery democrats and Free Soil party to form the Modern Republican Party (anti-slavery party)

Dealignment- Southern Planters felt that a strong federal govt could also free slaves, so party cease to exist

US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)


Post Civil War

Democrats

•Dominated the white south for decades

Republicans

•Protestant curriculum•Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol



Stronger Republicans Strong federal government to promote business and

economic growth. Impose evangelical Protestant morals on society. Republican merged urban dwellers

Southern Democrats After Civil War, white southern feared that strong

Republicans will make them treats blacks fairly. Democrats merge Populist party

US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)


Industrial Revolution

Democrats Republicans

1912 split : T. Roosevelt ran on the Bull Moose Ticket



Republican split Teddy Roosevelt created splinter party (Bull Moose

Party) Split the Republican Vote, so Wilson was able to win

Wilson’s Democrats Radical Change Govt. manipulation of the economy Progressive philosophy except for African Americans.

New Deal/Fifth Party System (1932–1964)


Depression and New Deal

Democrats Republicans

60’sDemocrats split from economic

and social Conservatives in south into republican base

60’ssocial progressives African

Americans remained Democrats



Democrats greater transformation Major intervention in the economy New Deal relief available to both whites and

blacks

Republicans Little government intervention Let private groups help

Function of Political Parties

Function of Political Parties

To mobilize the public in an organization Organize and run elections Recruit Candidates (strategy: TO WIN) Presenting alternative policies Accepting responsibility for the operation

of govt. (advocating party agenda) Acting as opposition to party in power

Soft Money Raised by Parties, 1993-2002

Soft Money Raised by Parties, 1993-2002

Parties: Party Structure Parties: Party Structure National Level

Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee

State level Governor controls State Conventions State party chairperson Party Boss

Local Level (Grassroots) County Committee County Chairperson District Leaders Precinct or ward captains Party Workers

Primary ElectionsPrimary Elections

Candidates official nomination process All parties will select their candidate for the

general election Presidential, Gubernatorial, Congressional, Senate

candidates Any contested seat within party

Front-Loading: State determines the date for its primary (NH) or

caucus (IW) Early primaries are more influential

– States compete to schedule their primaries as early as possible

Parties in ActionParties in Action

Meetings Quadrennial Nominate presidential

candidate Reveals party platform Introduces new and upcoming

stars Establishes party momentum

Government Provides funding for

candidates Whips legislators

Finances Fund raising

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

Accountability to the VotersAccountability to the Voters

Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

Viable third parties

Role of the CitizenRole of the Citizen

QuizQuiz

How did Josh keep party members in line with the party’s platform and agenda?

QuizQuiz

Why are political parties essential to Democracy? And what tools do parties use to satisfy their members?

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

News & Politics

Political Parties Iii