Political Parties AP Government and Politics October 7, 2015 Akwete McAlister

Political Party Coalition of interests that are joined together in an effort to get candidates elected to public office under a common label.

Role of the Political Party Pick and endorse candidates Aid in running campaigns Gives the electorate a sense of ideology Articulate policies Coordinate policymaking Organize the government

The 1 st Political Parties Washington and Madison warned against political parties. Madison eventually evolved in his thoughts about political parties. The 1 st parties emerged in Washington’s cabinet between _______________ and _____________.

1 st Political Parties Who________________ Advocate of states rights Advocate of small land owners and the common man Democratic- Republicans and under Andrew Jackson Democrats Alexander Hamilton Strong _______________ Advocated for commercial interests Thought of as the party of the rich and wealthy. ______________ party Eventually this party dies down and is taken up by the Whigs. Who have no coherent political philosophy

Political Parties in U.S. Political parties must appeal to a diverse set of interests. Leading them to have moderate and sometimes overlapping policies. Ex) Do you Republican and Democratic candidates will become more moderate as we move to the general election cycle from the primary cycle? Give an example. U.S. political parties are decentralized and fragmented. Not a hierarchical system and the party can function independently.

Political Parties in the U.S. The U.S. has a strong two-party system because of our electoral system. Why? (Durverger’s Law-in a single member, winner-take all system the two party system is promoted, while in a proportional representative system a multiparty system is promoted ex) Israel) Political institutions (organization of Congress), and political culture (idea that one waste her vote in voting for a minor party candidate).

Political Parties in U.S. The ability of the party to control nominations has weakened and now the electorate has a greater role. The evolution from caucus to primary A. Caucus B. Party Conventions C. Primary

Caucus, Primary, Conventions Caucus – closed meeting of local party leaders Earliest method of nomination Elected officials organized to choose who should take up higher positions Charged with being secretive and un- representative. In contemporary politics the 1 st is in the state of Iowa. 8https:// 8

Party Conventions Instituted in 1830s and 1840s Delegates were chosen by party members in towns and cities Adopted a political platform Criticized for being operated by party bosses and machines Still is used in state of Connecticut and Utah (which starts with convention and moves to primary if necessary)

Direct Primary People vote for the party nominee Started in 1905 in Wisconsin Most common method of choosing a nominee Now the 1 st Primary is in New Hampshire Open Primary, Closed Primary, and Blanket Primary (What is the difference?) The blanket primary differs from the open primary – in open primaries voters may pick candidates regardless of their own party registration, but may only choose among candidates from a single party of the voter's choice. (Wikipedia)open primary

Essential Question When you cast your vote for the President of the U.S. or any politician which of the following will you cast your ballot for: a. political party of the candidate (ideologue) b. policies of the candidate (group benefit) c. candidate career and appeal (nature of the times) d. looks of the candidate Why?

Realigning elections Major turning point generally in national election. These elections define the agenda and alignment of voters during periods of historic economic and social change. The major realigning elections were in For each of the above mentioned elections tell me what prompted the change. Why is it considered a major realignment in the political history of the country?

Election of 1824

Election of 1828

Election of 1860

Election of 1896

Election of 1932

Election of 1968 Was this a realigning election? Why? What did occur in this election?