Political Parties Chapter 8

What is a Party? Group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc Independents are not represented as such in Congress, align themselves with either Democratic or Republican Parties

5 Main Activities of Parties Recruit candidates for office Organize and run elections Present alternative policies to the electorate Accept responsibility for operating the government Act as organized opposition to the party in power

History of Political Parties The United States has operated under a two party system since before 1800 Started with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists Federalists supporting strong government, Anti- Federalists (or Jeffersonian Republicans) favoring states rights

Era of Good Feelings Republicans dominated from Since there was no real political opposition, President Monroe's administration was known as era of good feelings

Democrats and Whigs Two-Party politics returned after 1824 Supporters of Andrew Jackson formed the Democratic Party Republicans called themselves the Whig Party

Positions Whigs favored internal improvements such as new roads Democrats favored personal liberty and opportunities for the "common man" Democrats succeeded by involving common citizens in politics

Republican Party Modern Republican Party was formed in 1854 Northern Whigs joined forces with anti- slavery Democrats and the Free Soil Party

Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion After the Civil War, Republicans pushed for prohibition of alcohol and public schools, with a Protestant curriculum Angered Catholics, who turned to Democratic Party Democrats were described as the party of "rum, Romanism, and rebellion

New Deal Era Hoover (Republican) opposed federal relief during the Depression Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat) felt the opposite African Americans flocked to the Democrats

Divided Government The nation has been almost evenly divided since 1968 A nation of "red states" and "blue states" Democrats surged in 2006 and 2008; Republicans responded in 2010

Today's Democrats Democrats receive disproportionate support from the least well educated voters but also from individuals with advanced degrees Union members, Hispanics, African-Americans, and Jewish Americans People who live in cities

Today's Republicans Business people Evangelical Christians and regular churchgoers People who live in rural areas

Democratic Issues Approve of social welfare spending Government regulation of business Measures to improve the situation of minorities

Republican Issues Supportive of private marketplace (Invisible hand) Self-reliance Limited Government

Cultural Politics Economic conservatism is associated with higher incomes Social conservatism is more common among lower income groups

Regional Politics Some parts of the country are viewed as being more liberal or more conservative San Francisco has reputation of being extremely liberal

2008 Election Of the 15 states with the highest per capita income, 14 voted for President Obama Of the 15 states with the lowest per capita income,m13 voted for John McCain States that vote Democratic are often northern states that contain large cities

Cultural Divisions Among Republicans One wing of the Republican Party is often called the "Religious Right" Other wing of party is more concerned with economic and business concerns Sometimes these sides agree, other times they don't Successful Republican candidates have to appeal to both wings (George W. Bush)

3 Faces of a Party Party in the Electorate refers to all those who claim an attachment to a political party Any American who feels a loyalty, or an emotional tie, to a specific party

Party Organization Provides structural framework by recruiting volunteers Identify potential candidates Organize conventions and campaigns

Party in Government Consists of those elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party

National Party Organization National conventions are held every 4 years Presidential candidates are officially nominated Develop party platform--> positions on the issues and promises of action

State & Local Organizations Provide the foot soldiers of politics, individuals who pass out literature and get out the vote on election day Patronage still exists Rewarding of faithful party workers and supporters with government employment or contracts

Divided Government Winning the presidency doesn't ensure political power An important factor is whether the party controls both the executive and legislative branches of government

One Party Power Congress is less likely to exercise checks on presidential powers President less likely to use veto power on congressional actions

Divided Government Government in which the executive and legislative branches are controlled by different parties Democrats controlled Congress in 2006 but Bush had veto power (did it 11 times)

Party Polarization Recently it has become difficult for legislators in either party to obtain support for important legislation from members of the other party

Blocking Interpersonal relationships between party members have deteriorated Parties will block bills from advancing to make the other party appear ineffective Parties can also propose bills they know won't advance (Democratic Immigration Reform in 2010)

Winner Take All System

Plurality Winner is the person who obtains the most votes, even if that person does not receive a majority In Presidential elections, if a candidate wins a plurality in the state, they receive of the states electoral votes In most European countries, the chief executive is elected by a legislature, or parliament

Major Party Advantages Two major parties have clear advantages Need to gather fewer signatures to place their candidates on the ballot than minor parties or independent candidates do

Third Parties Minor parties have played important roles in American politics Individuals or groups committed to a particular interest, issue, or ideology Libertarian; Green

Splinter Parties Created when a particular personality was at odds with the major party Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party

Impact of Minor Parties 3rd parties can influence one of the major parties to take up one or more issues Can often determine outcomes of elections by pulling votes from one of the major parties "spoiler effect"; Ralph Nader received over 100,000 votes from Florida in 2000

Realignment Major constituencies shift their allegiance from one party to another In 1968, Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon adopted a "southern strategy" designed to attract dissatisfied southern Democrats into the Republican Party

Dealignment Argument to be made that realignment is no longer likely because voters are not as attached to the two major parties as much as they used to be Dealignment exists when large numbers of independent voters increase political volatility Harder to "lock-in" political preferences for segments of the population

Independent voters Voters less likely today to vote straight ticket Split ticket voting when you vote for individuals of both parties 1/3 of independents typically vote D, 1/3 typically vote R, rest are "swing voters"