Political Behavior: Political Parties Chapter 5

Objective 1 Vocabulary political party split-ticket voting major parties consensus faction incumbent partisanship electorate minor party plurality party in power bipartisan

Vocabulary Political Party-group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections Major Parties-Republicans and Democrats- parties who gain wide support Partisanship-action based on political party Minor Party-party without wide support/not in power Plurality-largest number of votes cast Bipartisan-parties working together

Consensus-general agreement Multiparty-government made of many minor parties Incumbent-current office holder Faction-conflicting groups Electorate-people who vote Party in Power-The political party that controls the executive branch of government

Objective Two: Who’s Who Barack Obama-Democratic President of the United States Tim Kaine-chairman of the Democratic National Committee Mark Warner- Senator of Va. Nancy Pelosi-House of Representatives minority leader John Boehner-Speaker of the House of Representatives

Objective Three: What’s What one-party system-political system in which only one party exists- “No Party” incumbent -current office holder two-party system-a political party system dominated by two parties Coalition-temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority to control the government single-member district-electoral district represented by one person Multiparty-several major and minor parties exist

ideological party-party based on a set of beliefs single issues party-party based on a single issue economic protest parties-parties rooted in poor economic times, lacking a clear ideological base, demanding better times splinter parties-Parties that have split away from major parties

Objective Four: Describe the major functions of Political Parties

What do parties do? 1.Nominate Candidates 2.Act as a Bonding Agent 3.Inform and Activate 4.Govern 5.Act as a watchdog

Nominate Candidates— Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. Act as a Bonding Agent— Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.

1 Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates.

Govern—Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party.

Act as a Watchdog— Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election.

Objective Five Why a Two-Party system? Democratic PartyRepublican Party

1.The Historical Basis. 2.The Force of Tradition. 3.The Electoral System. 4.Ideological Consensus.

The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists.

The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties.

Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States.

Complete Political Cartoon assignment Page 19

Objective 6 Distinguish between multiparty and one-party systems

Multiparty System Advantages Provides broader representation of the people. More responsive to the will of the people. Give voters more choices at the polls. Disadvantages Cause parties to form coalitions, which can dissolve easily. Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government.

One-Party Systems Types of One-Party Systems Example: Republican North and Democratic South until the 1950s. Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins most elections One Party Systems where only one party is allowed. Example: Dictatorships such as Stalinist Russia

Factors that Influence Party Membership Patterns 1. Family 2. Occupation 4. Major Events 3. Economic Status 5. Religion 6. Age

Objective 7: Explain the origins of the political parties in the U.S.A.

Nation’s First Parties Federalist Party Led by Alexander Hamilton Represented wealthy and upper-class interests Favored strong executive leadership and liberal (loose) interpretation of the Constitution Anti-federalist Party (Democrat-Republicans) Led by Thomas Jefferson Represented the “common man” Favored Congress as the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

Objective 8 Describe and illustrate the three major periods of single party domination

American Parties: Four Major Eras 1. The Era of the Democrats, 1800—1860 –Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. –Opposed by the Whigs. –Aided by expanded voting rights to all males –Ends due to the debate over slavery and Civil War.

2. The Era of the Republicans, 1860— 1932 –Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections. –Began with election of Abraham Lincoln –Ended by the Great Depression –The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.

3. The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968 –Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. –Begins with election of FDR who is elected 4 times –Ended by division over the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement.

Complete Political Cartoon on page 20

Objective 9: Using current events, describe the current era of divided government

American Parties: Parties Today The Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided Government Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party. 1968–1976 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats 1976–1980 Democrats hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats 1980–1992 Republicans hold the presidency Senate controlled by Republicans , controlled by Democrats from 1986 to – 2000 Democrats hold the presidency Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present 2000 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Republicans

Video on 2000 ElectionElection

Objective 10 Describe the types of minor parties that have been active in American politics

Minor Parties in the United States Minor Parties in the United States Splinter Party Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive Party Economic Protest Parties Example: Populist Party Ideological Parties Example: Libertarian Party Types of Minor Parties Single-issue Parties Example: Free Soil Party

Types of Political Parties

Ideological Party Based on a particular set of beliefs Don’t receive many votes Most based on Marxist thought – classless society, re-distribution of wealth Libertarian Party is very different – wants to get rid of most or all government programs

Single Issue Party Focus on one issue of importance to them These parties do not last because their issue dies out or becomes less important Examples: Right to Life Party (oppose abortion), Free Soil Party (against spread of slavery)

Economic Protest Party Party focuses on economic issue and seeks to blame someone No clear ideology Examples: Populist Party of 1890s, Occupy Wall Street of 2 years ago

Splinter Party This party split away from a major party due to ideological differences Often headed by a strong personality Examples: Teddy Roosevelt’s 1912 Bull Moose Party (from Republicans) and the 1968 American Independent Party (from the Democrats)

Objective 11 Explain the importance of minor parties

Why Minor Parties Are Important Minor parties play several important roles: “Spoiler Role” Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is from a splinter party. Critic Minor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer to ignore. Innovator Often, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated (absorbed) into the platforms of the two major parties.

Sample Flyer

Political Party Flyer worth 20 points!!! After being designated a Political Party from page 124, your objective is to create a political party flyer containing the following: At least one party logo additional picture representing/symbolic of your party picture of a leader in the political party Motto or mission statement for your party Fictitious meeting or gathering for your party

Read about the Reform Party and answer 1-2

Objective 12 Describe the National Party Machinery

National Party Machinery *Political party organizations are decentralized or not clearly organized between the national and state levels *National Convention, National Chairperson, Congressional Campaign Committees, and National Committee loosely work together to achieve the party’s goals

*The National Convention occurs during presidential election years to decide which candidates will represent the party as president and vice-president National Committee and Chairperson, supposedly, lead the party. They do work together to plan the National Convention every 4 years

National Party Machinery The National Convention The National Chairperson The Congressional Campaign Committees The National Committee All four elements of both major parties work together loosely to achieve the party’s goals.

State & Local Party Machinery State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually follow the general principles below.

State & Local Machinery *States are divided into congressional districts (we are in the 11 th district) *in cities, districts are divided into wards *wards are divided into precincts

The Three Components of the Party The Party in the Electorate Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates. The Party Organization: Those who run and control the party machinery. Party Components The Party in Government Those who hold office in the government.

Objective 13 Debate the future of major parities

Future of Political Parties For Voters: For Candidates: More people are unwilling to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Republicans” Split-ticket voting— voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election Structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates with another source of financial support

Complete Questions on Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address, 1801