Political Parties Ch. 5

Parties and what they do Could our government exist without political parties? What is the difference between political parties and political groups?

Parties and what they do Do all members of a political party have the same principles or agree on the same issues? What is the link between people and their government?

Parties and what they do Major functions of political parties (what do they do) 1. Nominating Function *recruit and choose candidates and present them to voters. *this sets parties apart from other political groups.

Parties and what they do 2. Government function *Our govt. is govt. by party. *Officeholders are chosen on basis of party. *Govt. works mostly on partisanship but also on bipartisanship.

Parties and what they do 3. Watchdog Function *parties watch out for the public. *this is done mostly by the party out of power.

Parties and what they do 4. Bonding Agent Function *parties will urge its candidates to have good character and performance in office *make sure candidates are qualified

Parties and what they do 5. Informer-stimulator Function * educate public and stimulate participation *take a stand on issues (campaign) *rallies, PC’s, pamphlets, bumper stickers, etc *also done by media & other groups

2 Party System 2 major parties dominate in U.S. They win most elections Not much power in minor parties

2 Party System Why a 2 party system History - arguments over Constitution formed 2 opposing sides. We started this way 2. Tradition - We have always had it. We have come to accept it.

2 Party System Electoral System - The way we vote supports 2 parties -single-member district - in elections you can vote for only one candidate. (incumbent or best challenger) plurality wins

2 Party System 3rd parties have a hard time getting on the ballot American Ideological Consensus - Americans have begun to agree on basic issues, ideals, principles. (We are not deeply divided)

2 Party System -conditions that could produce 3rd party challenge do not often exist.??????? major parties do not take extreme stands on the issues.

Multiparty System Several major parties and minor parties Each party is based on a certain interest (class, religion, student) Positives? - more representative, more responsive, more issue-based Great Britain, Israel, Germany,…………

Multiparty System Negatives? - often a coalition govt. must exist. Much more unstable system

One Party System AKA - No Party System Only one party allowed The most stable form of govt.(solidarity) EX. - former Soviet Union, former Iraq, North Korea, China, former Nazi Germany Some areas of U.S. at times are referred to as one party

Party Membership - How do you become a member of a political party? both major parties try to get support from everyone. Some groups tend to support one over the other (never all members of a group)

Party Membership *In General -Democrats - union members, minorities, small farmers, small business, young social welfare, govt. regulation, -Republicans - older, big business, well-off, less govt. regulation & involvement

Party Membership Reasons for Identifying with a political party 1. Family 2. Major Events 3. Economic Status 4. Age 5. Level of Education

History of Parties 1st political parties Federalists ( Alexander Hamilton ) favored a strong national govt. dedicated to national economic problem

History of Parties Anti-federalists (Thomas Jefferson) AKA - Democratic Republicans favored limited role for new govt. Dedicated to “common man”

History of Parties Election of 1800 Incumbent - John Adams Challenger - Thomas Jefferson -- Era of the Democrats (1800 - 1860) *Federalists dissolve

History of Parties * Whig party was next major challenge to Democrats * Whigs dissolve * Democrats split into factions because of slavery *Republicans were next party to find major support

History of Parties - Reps got support from former Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats - elected 1st president in 1860 - only party to go from 3rd party to major party

History of Parties -- Era of the Republicans (1860 - 1932) *Democrats survived because of “solid south” *Republicans have massive electorate *Democrats must change main issues to see success

History of Parties Election of 1912 - R - Incumbent William Howard Taft - D - Woodrow Wilson - BM - Theodore Roosevelt

History of Parties -- Return of the Democrats (1932 - 1968) *Election of 1932 * (D) FDR wins - programs attract many Americans *Public’s attitude changes towards govt.

History of Parties -- New Era (1968 - Present) * 1968 - ( R ) Richard Nixon wins by small margin 1976 - ( D ) Jimmy Carter 1980 - ( R ) Ronald Reagan 1984 - ( R ) Ronald Reagan 1988 - ( R ) George Bush

History of Parties 1992 - ( D ) Bill Clinton 2000 - ( R ) George W Bush 2004 - ( R ) George W Bush 2008 - ( D ) Barack Obama 2012 - ( D ) Barack Obama 2016 - ( R ) Donald Trump *since 1968 our govt. has mostly been divided

Minor Parties First to use national convention to nominate presidential candidate Spoiler Role - pull votes away from major party candidate Take clear stands on controversial issues

Minor Parties Types of Minor Parties 1. Ideological - based on a small set of beliefs. Ex - Libertarian 2. Single Issue - based on only one matter. Parties name indicates their concern. Most fade away with time

Minor Parties 3. Economic Protest - Parties form in disgust of major parties economic policies. Fade away over time Splinter - split away from a major party. Forms around strong personality

Party Member Organization Party Organization - Those who control the party machinery Party Electorate - Party loyalists who usually vote straight party ticket Party in Government - Officeholders

Future of Political Parties Rise in voters who don’t identify as Republican or Democrat Increase in Split-ticket voting Internal conflict in parties has turned people off ** Are parties on the decline?