Political Parties Spring 2015

The Meaning of Party What is a politcial party? a group of people who agree on major issues facing the nation primary goal of politcal parties is to win the electon There are three heads to a political party: the party in the electorate – largest component the party as an organization the party in government Parties in the U.S. any American can join a political party U.S. has a two party system – Republican & Democrat

The Meaning of Party Tasks of the Parties parties pick candidates parties run camaigns parties give cues to voters parties articulate policies parties coordinate policymaking

The Party in the Electorate Party Identification: a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other recent studies have shown a decline in both political parties and an incline in independence Ticket-Splitting: voting with one party for one office and the other for other offices – popular today

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington Local Parties: urban political party was main political party organization in America; now weak Party Machines: party organization that relies heavily on material inducements – patronage The 50 State Party Systems: Closed Primaries: elections in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote Open Primaries: elections in which voters can decide on election day who they want to vote for South Carolina has these Blanket Primaries: elections in which voters are presented with a list of candidates from all the parties

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington National Party Organizations: National Convention: the meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform National Committee: institution that keeps the part operating between conventions the Committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories National Chairperson: this is the person responsible for the day-today activities of the party and is usually handpicked by the presidential nominee

Party Eras in American History Party Eras: historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power which tends to win a majority of the elections Critical Elections: an electoral “earthquake” where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party Party Realignment: The displacement of the majority party by the minority party

Party Eras in American History The First Party System: Madison warned of “factions” first party was federalists Jackson & the Democrats vs. the Whigs: new coalition forged by Jackson in order to broaden political opportunity Whigs argued that a party could not aspire to pleasing every citizen all the time

Party Eras in American History The Two Republican Eras: Republicans rose in the late 1850’s, folding in the remnants of several minor parties second era rose in 1896 – this election was a realigning one because it shifted the party coalitions and entrenched the Republicans for another generation The New Deal Coalition: forged by the Democrats – relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics, Jews, the poor, and southerners Democrats and Republicans “switch”

Party Eras in American History We are now in an era of a divided party government one party controls one office and the other party controls another office This divided government has dealigned the party system Party Dealignment: the gradual disengagement of people and politicians from the parties as seen in part by shrinking party identification

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Third parties… are typical, but they have never gained control of the White House form when small groups challenge the two major parties they can change the outcome of elections their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues

To Sum it Up… America is a two party system Ups and downs of each party lead to competition Political parties are weaker at the mass, but they are stronger on a national and state level The loose structure allows politicians to avoid responsibility, but promotes individualism which leads to gridlock in American policymaking

Third Parties in the US United States Marijuana Party American Nazi Party Rent is too Damn High Party (New York only) Working Families Party Americans Elect Party