Political Parties

What Is a Political Party? A group of political activists who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy. How are parties different from interest groups? Ralph E. Becker Collection /Smithsonian Institution Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Political Parties vs. Interest Groups Run government Select candidates Multiple issues (party platform) Interest Groups Influence government Support candidates Often a single issue Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

The Three Components of Political Parties Multi-party systems are the norm throughout Western Europe. The two-party system in place in the United States is rather unique, using a winner-take-all structure. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Functions of Political Parties Recruit candidates to run for elective offices at all levels of government Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections Bear the responsibility of operating government at all levels Provide organized opposition to the party in power Most major activities of political parties are carried out by a relatively small group of party activists. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Where the Voters Are Some other democracies (Israel, France, Germany) use proportional representation in which the percentage of the vote that a party receives corresponds to the number of seats it hold in the legislature. This system allows minority parties to flourish. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

History of Political Parties The Formative Years: Federalists/Anti-Federalists (1789-1816) The Era of Good Feelings (1816-1828) National Two-Party Rule: Whigs and Democrats (1828-1860) The two-party system has been in place since about 1800. Federalists were for the adoption of the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists were against it. The era of good feelings is also known as the era of personal politics, as competition for elected office took place primarily between individuals, not parties. © The Granger Collection, New York Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

The Golden Age of Parties The Civil War Crisis The Post-Civil War Period (1865-1896) “Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion” The Triumph of the Republicans Conflicts over slavery split the North and South, causing the Whig party to split. The northern Whigs united with antislavery factions to become the modern Republican Party (not to be confused with the Jeffersonian Republicans.) Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute, neg #98-4290 Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

History of Political Parties The Progressive Interlude (1896-1932) The New Deal Era (1932-1968) An Era of Divided Government (modern period) After 1968, the general pattern was often a Republican president and a Democratic Congress 2000 Presidential Election (Red vs. Blue States) Parties in relative balance Political reform appeared in the early 1900s in response to economic pressures. Although of different parties, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson both considered themselves progressive. Wilson’s progressive policies started a shift in the Democratic party to more openness to government action. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Election 1896 Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Election 2004 Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Election 2008 Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

The Two Major Parties Today The parties’ core constituents Economic beliefs Recent economic convergence? Cultural politics Democrats have the reputation of supporting the less-well-off, Republicans the prosperous Regional factors Third party groups such as the Green Party and the Libertarian Party believe that the Republican and Democratic parties are barely different. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning The 2008 Obama presidential campaign energized many groups within the Democratic party. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Income and Party Identification Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Republican and Democratic Issues Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

The Three Faces of a Party The people who identify with the party or who regularly vote for the candidates of the party in general elections Party-in-the-electorate Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Three Faces of a Party (cont) Party Organization National Convention delegates National Committee National Chairperson State party organization Local (grassroots) organization Patronage and city machines Local party organizations The party organization is the formal structure and leadership of a party. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning 2008 National Conventions The 2008 Democratic National Convention was held in Denver; the 2008 Republican National Convention was held in Minneapolis. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Three Faces of a Party (cont) The Party in Government Divided Government The Limits of Party Unity Party Polarization All elected and appointed officials identify with a political party. © Andy Levin/Photo Researchers, Inc. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Ethnic Politics and the Campaign for the White House This report discusses the importance of the Hispanic vote during the 2008 presidential election. Airdate: 7/13/2008 Click the icon to open the movie Video Supplied by Motion Gallery Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Video Questions What concerns might Hispanic voters have that other voting blocks do not share? Why is there a historic rivalry between Hispanics and blacks in some states? What was Bush’s appeal to Hispanic voters in the 2004 election? Which party is most likely to appeal to Hispanic voters in the next election? Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Why Has the Two Party System Endured? Duality Political socialization and practical considerations The Winner-Take-All Electoral System Presidential Voting Popular Election of the Governors and President Proportional Representation State and Federal Laws Favor the Two Parties Ruling parties work to remain in control No party organization to join as independents In every presidential election since 1856, Democrats and Republicans have been the two major political parties, with the exception of 1912. That year, former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt was the nominee of the Bull Moose (Progressive) Party, and finished second to Woodrow Wilson. Republican incumbent Taft finished third. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics Ideological Third Parties Green Party Splinter Parties The Impact of Minor Parties Influencing the Major Parties Affecting the Outcome of an Election Spoiler in 2000 Elections? A modern example of an ideological third party is the Green Party, which is committed to environmentalism, non-violence and social justice. It is a federation of state Green Parties, and has fielded candidates for offices at all levels, including Ralph Nader as a presidential candidate in 2000. Nader received 2.7% of the vote. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Policies of Selected American Third Parties Since 1864 While platform positions are good indicators of where a party stands, they are not reliable guides to the issue positions of individual candidates. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Mechanisms of Political Change Realignment (occurs about every 32-36 years) Civil War era 1890s Great Depression Nixon’s victory in 1972 seemed to be a realignment, but Watergate changed this Realignment may actually strengthen an already dominant party, or may cause a gradual shift to another party. Nixon’s “southern strategy” showed an immediate change in presidential election results, but a more gradual one in Congressional and state legislative elections. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Mechanisms of Political Change (cont) Minor realignments 1980s conservative movement Shift of white southerners to Republican party Northern blue-collar workers to Republican party Many professionals turn to Democratic party Religious cleavage Makes Republican party more conservative, Democrats more liberal: but neither party dominates Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Mechanisms of Political Change (cont) Dealignment: A major drop-off in support for the parties. Independent Voters Not-So-Independent Voters Tipping (demographically-based change) Often due to immigration Many political scientists believe that realignment has been replaced with dealignment, as noted by a rise in independent voters. Straight-ticket voting continues to decrease. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Party Identification: 1937–Present The number of voters identifying themselves as “independent” continues to rise. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning A New Direction in 2008 2008 Elections bring change Democrats regain political momentum Control White House AND Congress Obama wins five key Republican states Growing political divide between Democratic and Republican agendas Political Maneuvering = Less Responsive Government 2010 Elections indicate a new direction? Perhaps the most visible change resulting from the 2010 elections is the election of a new Speaker of the House, reflecting the Republican majority. Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Questions for Critical Thinking Do democratic governments need political parties? If a democratic government has political parties, will the structure always be a two-party system? What factors impact how many political parties will exist? Is party identification a major factor for voters in presidential elections? Do political parties make government more responsive? Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning 31 31

Questions for Critical Thinking Why is it difficult for independent candidates or minor party candidates to get elected to Congress? What inferences can be made about the voting population through the closely divided elections of 2000 and 2004? Between 2008 and 2010, how did the interests and mood of voters change? Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning 32 32

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Web Links The White House GOP.com The Democratic Party National Republican Senatorial Committee Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee The National Republican Congressional Committee www.whitehouse.gov The White House www.rnc.org Republican National Committee www.democrats.org Democratic National Committee www.nrsc.org National Republican Senatorial Committee www.dscc.org Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee www.nrcc.org National Republican Congressional Committee Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning Web Links Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee GOP.gov Townhall.com National Political Index The Greens/Green Party USA www.dccc.org Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee www.gop.gov Republican House Conference www.townhall.com Conservative news, opinion and analysis www.politicalindex.com/sect8.htm Link to the minor parties involved in U.S. politics www.greenparty.org Green Party, USA Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning