American Government and Organization PS1301 Wednesday, 19 November

What do Parties do? Contest elections Propagandize ideology Form Governments

Consequence of Party Action Organization organize people by bring people under one tent. organize people by bring people under one tent. Provide information, propagandize party ideology for the average citizen they simplify the political world for the average citizen they simplify the political world Parties recruit candidates (more commonly, politicians are self-starters) But candidates need the party label to get elected. (more commonly, politicians are self-starters) But candidates need the party label to get elected. Contest elections Parties mobilize the electorate Parties mobilize the electorate

Consequences of Party Action Form governments Form organizations: committee/party leadership -inter-branch coalitions: between executive and leg.; senate/house -inter-branch coalitions: between executive and leg.; senate/house legislatures of 49 states and the US Congress are organized along party lines. legislatures of 49 states and the US Congress are organized along party lines. Provide accountability provide a set of people to reward or blame provide a set of people to reward or blame Dispersal of power destroys political responsibility Dispersal of power destroys political responsibility

Two Party System Encourages parties to converge toward the “median voter”. Parties adopt moderate platforms to appeal to the broadest possible audience Difficult for voters to recognize differences

Example of Spatial Competition Median Voter Party A Party B Party C Number of Voters

Disadvantages with Having Only Two Parties Normative concerns (what is lost) Fairness Should 50% of participating voters make govt.? Should incumbent parties draw districts? Should 50% of participating voters make govt.? Should incumbent parties draw districts?Trust If voters are not aligned with major party, and their vote is “wasted” on a third party, will they trust government? If voters are not aligned with major party, and their vote is “wasted” on a third party, will they trust government?Participation US has one of the lowest rates of participation US has one of the lowest rates of participation Why show up if vote will be wasted? Why show up if vote will be wasted?

Advantages of Two Party System Stability Multi-party democracy said to be unstable Multi-party democracy said to be unstable Must form coalition governments Must form coalition governments Evidence is that coalition governments are less stable than single party government Evidence is that coalition governments are less stable than single party government Illusion of Majority Rule Accountability “responsible party” thesis “responsible party” thesis

How Could a Third US Party Form? Institutional Change Prospects slim for US Congress to act Prospects slim for US Congress to act State Legislatures State Legislatures Citizen’s initiative Citizen’s initiative Major split in existing party Rise of regional conflict

Should Parties be Strengthened? Strong parties would: Promote party discipline Promote party discipline Provision of a clear choice Provision of a clear choice Concentration of power in hands of winning party Concentration of power in hands of winning party

How Can Parties be Strengthened? Campaign Finance Reform Allow soft money? Allow soft money? Limit contributions from interest groups… Limit contributions from interest groups… Reform primary system Closed primaries Closed primaries

The Media Media as linkage institution Most people get their information from the media Most people get their information from the media Media Systems Structure, financing AudiencesCoverage Politicians and the Media Media Effects

News Media Use by Age Group

Other Media Use by Age Group

Non traditional Media Use by Age Group

Nature of Media Coverage If it bleeds it leads Focus on horse race