US Political Parties Chapter 5

What do parties do? Nominate Candidates Source of Information Qualify candidates Organize their members Provide an organized platform Police the government (watchdog)

2-Party System 2 dominant parties Single member districts Winner take all—Plurality vs. majority Compromise/Consensus

Multiparty System Many parties share power Fragmented Coalition instead of Consensus

Single Party Dictatorship No party system=no choice

US 2-Party Characteristics Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Incumbents rule Unified vs. Divided government 4 distinct eras (section 3)

Types of Minor Parties Ideological (D, R) Single issue Economic Protest Splinter Public Interest Minor parties are important in a 2 party system

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Minor Parties: Where would you fit the following? Communist Party Free Soil Party Greenback Party Independent Party Green Party

Minor Parties in the United States Types of Minor Parties Ideological Parties Examples: Libertarian Party; Communist Party Single-issue Parties Example: Free Soil Party Economic Protest Parties Examples: The Greenback Party (1876-84); Populist Party (1890s) Splinter Party Example: TR’s “Bull Moose” Progressive Party (1912); Independent Party (1968)

Major Party Organization President’s party is better organized (one leader to look to) National Chairperson National Committee National Convention Congressional Campaign Committee

3 levels to the party National raises big money Has a large staff Very influential State has a small full time staff Recruits for offices Local is active a few months around election time Part time Small fundraising

3 Components of the Party Party organization—leaders, campaign workers Party in the electorate—voters, $ Party in government—office holders, policy makers

The Future of US parties Split ticket voting More independent voters Less need by candidates—media access, fundraising Issue based voters (General weakening of Parties)