Political Parties All Material from: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties US Political Party History Originally NOT intended by the founders. Madison warned against PP’s in the Federalist Papers. George Washington also warned against organizing around factions. Democratization of the country Enfranchise increased leading up to the Jacksonian Age. The Democratic Party held the first large convention in 1832. Newly enfranchised voters coalesced around Andrew Jackson for President under the Democratic Party banner. Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties Types of Primaries Indirect Parties nominate through nomination conventions Direct Votes by ballot directly from party members Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties What is a political party (PP)? A network of people who organize for political action under a label. They use the institutional structure to organize and resolve political problems. PP’s in all modern democracies have three distinct but related institutional roles. Governmental Office holders who run under the PP’s label. Organizational Activists that formally operate for the organization 2. Electorate Voters that identify with the organization They can formally associate with the organization Provides a platform which outlines the party’s agenda and mission. Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties Function of Parties Mobilize supporters Provides leadership for members Provides group identity to its members Promotes loyalty Forces stability and moderation (especially in two party systems) Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties Function of Parties Unity, Linkage and Accountability Provides extra constitutional organizational structure for the branches of government PP’s provide a unifying or linking structure to disparate elements of a government. Accountability is enforced through the organization to the commitments the party organizes and runs on. Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties Function of Parties Electioneering Function Creates an apparatus in which a broad section of the electorate can channel their political desires. They provide the institutional support for competitive elections Provide Voting and Issue Cues Sets the agenda of the members Educates members of the issues and provides their cues to belief They channel and direct the ideas of the party . Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th EditionSource: American Government: Continuity and Change
Political Parties Function of Parties Policy Formulation Platforms provide uniformity for all members Formulate, convey and promote public policy Provides the infrastructural support to coordinate and fund candidates for public office Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Political Parties Structure of American Political Parties National State Local Political parties create a vertical structure integrating all levels. Source: American Government: Continuity and Change. Chapter 16 O’Connor and Larry Sabato. 2006th Edition
Extras Edwin Edwards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsIhOiOJp0c&feature=related Earl K. Long http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIEfAkprOzw&feature=relmfu Huey P. Long http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfZpd-luEsA&feature=related
Headlines from the morning after: Rubio: GOP must focus on 'minority and immigrant communities' Cornyn: GOP faces 'reflection and recalibration' GOP soul-searching: 'Too old, too white, too male'?
GOP Past Strategies: Southern Strategy (the past 40 years) Recent GOP Coalitions White Rural and Southern Voters Evangelical, especially Fundamentalists Business Owners Tea Party Faction
GOP Past Strategies: Recent Strategy Exclusionary to Minorities (Latinos and African Americans) Immigration Enforcement Laws at the State Level Voter Suppression Schemes Down Ballot Emphasis ***
Implications for the Parties: Republicans To be a viable party, they MUST reformulate who and HOW they appeal to other demographic groups. Democrats: They have a demographic future advantage that we are beginning to see. How do they increase they maintain it and increase in future? How do they keep from being the party of Charlie Brown and not blow it?
Post Election Strategies Democrats How do you govern with a split Congress? Republicans How do you recreate a message to appeal to the changing demographics while maintaining support from existing coalition?