National and State Party structure

Parties exist at many levels National (alive and well) National (alive and well) State State Local (party machines have died) Local (party machines have died) At each of these levels, there is still an element of party loyalty At each of these levels, there is still an element of party loyalty The levels operate independently of each other The levels operate independently of each other Do you think parties are more or less organized today than they used to be? Why does this matter? Do you think parties are more or less organized today than they used to be? Why does this matter?

The National Convention Were developed as a reform to the party caucuses…Why? Were developed as a reform to the party caucuses…Why? Party meets every four years to: Party meets every four years to: Decide on platform Decide on platform Unite party Unite party Nominate candidates Nominate candidates *Between conventions, party affairs are managed by a national committee made up of delegates from each state and territory DELEGATES do these things. But who are they? DELEGATES do these things. But who are they?

Delegates-Ds and Rs use a different formula! Democrats: elaborate set of rules (pg 210) Democrats: elaborate set of rules (pg 210) Men and women (equal number) Men and women (equal number) Minority representation Minority representation Union members Union members Most are chosen congressional district level or lower (not statewide) Most are chosen congressional district level or lower (not statewide) If you are pledged to a candidate, you vote for that candidate! But 20% are Superdelegates! If you are pledged to a candidate, you vote for that candidate! But 20% are Superdelegates! Governors and congress members are automatically delegates Governors and congress members are automatically delegates PR set of rules was put into place (pg. 212) 15% of the vote in a primary guarantees you the vote PR set of rules was put into place (pg. 212) 15% of the vote in a primary guarantees you the vote

Consequences After a decade of reform, both parties represent After a decade of reform, both parties represent “two ideologically different sets of of upper middle class voters”. Why is this a problem? “two ideologically different sets of of upper middle class voters”. Why is this a problem? Primaries tend to divide a party, while a convention tends to unite a party. Why? Primaries tend to divide a party, while a convention tends to unite a party. Why?

State and Local Parties What motivates people to get involved in parties?

The Machine…top goal? Win! PM: a party organization that recruits its members by the use of tangible incentives-money, political jobs, an opportunity to get favors from the government- and a high degree of leadership control over member activity PM: a party organization that recruits its members by the use of tangible incentives-money, political jobs, an opportunity to get favors from the government- and a high degree of leadership control over member activity m/watch?v=lSH1EIvTD Gw m/watch?v=lSH1EIvTD Gw Buying people’s votes: Tammany Hall If you want to keep your job, keep the party in power…if not, bye bye job! New York Customhouse Postal system Immigration-new forms of voting fraud, pre- welfare system

Political patronage reduced Stricter voter registration laws Stricter voter registration laws Civil service reforms Civil service reforms Competitive-bidding laws Competitive-bidding laws The Hatch Act (1939): illegal for fed. Civil service employees to take an active part in political management or political campaigns, solicit $, run for office, work on a campaign, endorse, taking voters to the polls, counting ballots, circulating nom. petitions, or being delegates at a party convention The Hatch Act (1939): illegal for fed. Civil service employees to take an active part in political management or political campaigns, solicit $, run for office, work on a campaign, endorse, taking voters to the polls, counting ballots, circulating nom. petitions, or being delegates at a party convention We can scorn the machine, but they served a purpose: party organization We can scorn the machine, but they served a purpose: party organization Increased voter turnout, doing anything to win the election (find the best candidate!) Increased voter turnout, doing anything to win the election (find the best candidate!) Democrat machines: Democrat machines: FDR, JFK FDR, JFK Republican machines: Republican machines: Abe Lincoln, Warren G. Harding Abe Lincoln, Warren G. Harding Still exists today in 8 NE states Still exists today in 8 NE states

Thanks to the machines, our legacies will live on forever!!!

Ideological Parties…top goal? Principle alone! Contentious and factionalized. What does that mean? Contentious and factionalized. What does that mean? Third parties: Third parties: Socialist, Socialist Workers, Libertarian, Right-to-Life Socialist, Socialist Workers, Libertarian, Right-to-Life In 1950s-60s, began as “reform clubs” within reps and dems-pulled the parties out from the center In 1950s-60s, began as “reform clubs” within reps and dems-pulled the parties out from the center 1960s-70s brought single-issue activists Party is now a collection of people drawn from social movements Modern parties have intense factionalism…leaders by name only

DemsReps Center Hey, don’t get too centrist! Political Spectrum We’re both trying to win over the masses! Don’t abandon our principles!

Solidary groups People who get involved for the love of the game, or for the social rewards, friendship, etc… People who get involved for the love of the game, or for the social rewards, friendship, etc… Sort of like joining a bowling league/bridge club Sort of like joining a bowling league/bridge club Not corrupt, flexible Not corrupt, flexible More for fun…don’t work too hard More for fun…don’t work too hard

Hey Erma…let’s join a political party and make some new friends… Only if it doesn’t cut into bridge night or the bowling league!! I wish I had a friend…

Sponsored Parties A local or state political party that is largely supported by another organization in the community A local or state political party that is largely supported by another organization in the community Like Detroit’s democratic party and the UAW: Like Detroit’s democratic party and the UAW: Not very common Not very common

Personal following Because most candidates can no longer count on the backing of a machine, b/c sponsored parties are limited, and b/c solidary groups are not very productive, a candidate will seek a personal following Because most candidates can no longer count on the backing of a machine, b/c sponsored parties are limited, and b/c solidary groups are not very productive, a candidate will seek a personal following Usually tries to find one ideological group (hard core activists=hard workers!!) Usually tries to find one ideological group (hard core activists=hard workers!!) Need a great personality, good looks, friends, bling (Kennedy fam, Bush fam, etc…) Need a great personality, good looks, friends, bling (Kennedy fam, Bush fam, etc…)

The Minor Parties (aka “Third Parties” Libertarian, Reform, Socialist,Prohibition, Communist, Green, Constitution…….Why don’t they ever win national elections?

Who had ballot access in 2012? rd_party_and_independent_presidential_candida tes,_ rd_party_and_independent_presidential_candida tes,_2012

Minor Parties in the United States There are four distinct types of minor parties in the U.S. There are four distinct types of minor parties in the U.S. Ideological parties Ideological parties Single-Issue parties Single-Issue parties Economic protest parties Economic protest parties Splinter parties Splinter parties

Ideological Parties Those parties are based on a particular set of beliefs Those parties are based on a particular set of beliefs Most have a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Most have a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Most have been built on some shade of Marxist thought: Ex. Socialist, Communist, Socialist Labor Most have been built on some shade of Marxist thought: Ex. Socialist, Communist, Socialist Labor However, the Libertarian party is also an ideological party based on individualism However, the Libertarian party is also an ideological party based on individualism How are they different from Republicans and Democrats? How are they different from Republicans and Democrats?

Communist Party, USA

Single Issue Parties These parties only concentrate on one particular issue. These parties only concentrate on one particular issue. The name of the party usually indicates their main concern. The name of the party usually indicates their main concern. Ex. Right to Life Party Ex. Right to Life Party Most of these parties have faded as the issue goes away. Most of these parties have faded as the issue goes away.

New York State Right to Life Party

Economic Protest Parties These groups have no clear cut ideological base. These groups have no clear cut ideological base. They have proclaimed their disgust with the major parties and demanded better times, and have focused their anger on such real or imagined enemies. They have proclaimed their disgust with the major parties and demanded better times, and have focused their anger on such real or imagined enemies. Each of these parties has disappeared as the nation has climbed out of a difficult economic period. Each of these parties has disappeared as the nation has climbed out of a difficult economic period. Ex. Greenback Party (tried to take advantage of an agricultural struggle) Ex. Greenback Party (tried to take advantage of an agricultural struggle)

The Greenback Party

Splinter Parties These parties have split away from one of the major parties. These parties have split away from one of the major parties. Most have formed around a strong personality- someone who has lost an election. Most have formed around a strong personality- someone who has lost an election. Most important minor parties have been splinter parties. Most important minor parties have been splinter parties. Ex. Progressive Party (split from Republican party) Theodore Roosevelt Ex. Progressive Party (split from Republican party) Theodore Roosevelt

They rarely win, so why do they still exist? We do not ALL fit neatly into one of the two parties. We do not ALL fit neatly into one of the two parties. Some don’t care about winning-it’s more important to take a firm stance! Some don’t care about winning-it’s more important to take a firm stance! They have influenced the public policy positions of the 2 major parties (NAFTA, environment, women’s issues) They have influenced the public policy positions of the 2 major parties (NAFTA, environment, women’s issues)

Ralph Nader, and the Green Party USA

Importance Why should we care about minor parties? Why should we care about minor parties? Many minor parties have made an impact throughout history. The development of a national convention started with a minor party Many minor parties have made an impact throughout history. The development of a national convention started with a minor party Spoiler role- a minor party many times can pull votes away from a major party (For example: Ross Perot and Ralph Nader). Spoiler role- a minor party many times can pull votes away from a major party (For example: Ross Perot and Ralph Nader). Unlike major parties, minor parties are ready to take a clean- cut stance on a controversial issue. Voters like this. Unlike major parties, minor parties are ready to take a clean- cut stance on a controversial issue. Voters like this.

Importance Continued… There has been a big increase in split-ticket voting- voting for candidates of different parties for different offices in the same election. There has been a big increase in split-ticket voting- voting for candidates of different parties for different offices in the same election. This increased when states adopted the office ballot. Why is this? This increased when states adopted the office ballot. Why is this?

Times are changing… In recent years, voting patterns have changed. Increasingly, people are becoming “independent” voters. This means that they refuse to side with a major party (Dems, Reps). In recent years, voting patterns have changed. Increasingly, people are becoming “independent” voters. This means that they refuse to side with a major party (Dems, Reps). Implications? Implications? More voters are becoming interested in minor parties and what they have to offer. (Libertarian party has increased its voter #s recently). More voters are becoming interested in minor parties and what they have to offer. (Libertarian party has increased its voter #s recently).

Times are changing continued… Even though political party affiliation has dropped, parties are still necessary for our government to operate as is. Even though political party affiliation has dropped, parties are still necessary for our government to operate as is. Chooses a candidate Puts together the convention Campaigns Raises $ Recruits voters

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