Linkage Institutions
Linkage Institutions Groups that are not officially part of the government, but play a vital role in connecting (or linking) citizens to the government. Three types of linkage institutions Political Parties Interest Groups Media
A political party is a group of citizens who organize to: Political Parties A political party is a group of citizens who organize to: Win elections Hold public offices Operate the government Determine public policy
Political Parties Represent broad points of view — or IDEOLOGIES — that present people with alternative approaches to how the government should be run. Each party seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy.
Functions of Political Parties Recruiting and nominating candidates for public office Running political campaigns Articulating positions on issues Critiquing the policies of the party in power Serving as a linkage institution
Political Parties How does this link citizens to government? Example: both the Republican and Democratic candidates for President present competing plans for solving a wide array of public issues. People, then, link to their government by identifying themselves as "Democrats," "Republicans," or "Reform" party members, for example
Political Parties How does this link citizens to government? -Provides information to voters about candidates running for office - Mobilizes voters to elect party candidates -Raises funds to support party canddiates
Political Parties Party in the electorate- citizens who identify as Republicans or Democrats Party Organization -all of the people at the various levels of the party organization who work to maintain the strength of the party between elections, help raise money, and organize the conventions and party functions
Political Parties Party in government-all of the appointed and elected officials at the national, state, and local levels who represent the party as members; officeholders
Types of Party Systems One-Party System-In a one-party system only one party exists or has a chance of winning election. Generally, membership is not voluntary and those who do belong to the party represent a small portion of the population.
Types of Party Systems Two-Party System-there may be several political parties but only two major political parties compete for power and dominate elections. Minor parties generally have little effect on most elections, especially at the national level.
Types of Party Systems Multi-Party System-when several major parties and a number of minor parties compete in elections, and any of the parties stands a good chance of winning. Usually the result of a proportional representation voting system rather than one with single-member districts.
Types of Party Systems proportional representation – Elections system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote single-member districts- An electoral district in which voters choose on representative or official
There was NO mention of political parties in the US Constitution!
Why does the USA Have a Two- Party System? Strong Consensus on Core Political Values- American Political Culture Americans share a strong commitment to a group of core political values that include belief in freedom, political equality, limited government, majority rule/minority rights, etc. Most Americans identify as moderates
Why does the USA Have a Two- Party System? Single-member districts Almost all American elections are held in single-member districts in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot. The candidate who receives the most votes is the winner. It is important to note the difference between a plurality and a majority.
Why does the USA Have a Two- Party System? Plurality election- the winning candidate is the person who receives the most votes. Majority election- the winning candidate is the person who receives more than half of all the votes case
Why does the USA Have a Two- Party System? Single-member districts-winner take all vs. proportional representation PR-each party awarded legislative seats in proportion to the vote it receives Example- In a state with 10 congressional seats, a party receiving 20% would be awarded 2 seats. In a WTA single member district that same party would receive zero seats.
Why does the USA Have a Two- Party System? Legal barriers to third parties The names of Democratic and Republican canddiates are automatically placed on state ballots. In contrast, minor party candidates must persuade registered voters to sign petitions in order to have their names placed on the ballot.
Third or Minor Parties Some third parties have been permanent, running candidates in every election; however, many third parties disappear after only a few elections. Several types of minor parties have emerged: Ideological Splinter/personality/factional Single issue protest
Third or Minor Parties ideological—those based on a particular set of social, political, or economic beliefs (communist, socialist, libertarian) splinter/personality/factional—those that have split away from one of the major parties; usually formed around a strong personality who does not win the party nomination; may disappear when that leader steps aside (Theodore Roosevelt’s “Bull Moose” Progressive, Strom Thurmond’s States’ Rights, George Wallace’s American Independent)
Third or Minor Parties protest—usually rooted in periods of economic discontent; may be sectional in nature (Greenback, Populist) single issue—parties that concentrate on a single public policy matter (Free Soil, Right to Life, Prohibition)
Third or Minor Parties protest—usually rooted in periods of economic discontent; may be sectional in nature (Greenback, Populist) single issue—parties that concentrate on a single public policy matter (Free Soil, Right to Life, Prohibition)
Third or Minor Parties protest—usually rooted in periods of economic discontent; may be sectional in nature (Greenback, Populist) single issue—parties that concentrate on a single public policy matter (Free Soil, Right to Life, Prohibition)
Third or Minor Parties Obstacles to minor parties Winner-take-all format of the electoral college For example, Ross Perot (Reform Party) in 1992 won 19% of the popular vote but did not win a single electoral vote. Single-member districts make it difficult for minor party candidates to win seats in Congress. Minor party candidates are excluded from debates.
Third or Minor Parties Importance and Impact of Third Parties They express strong views on controversial issues. Provide a safety valve for disenchanted voters. They push major parties to adopt their ideas. Spoiler Role- Although third parties rarely win, they are capable of drastically affecting the election’s outcome by taking away votes from a major party. For example, many analysts believe Ralph Nader pulled critical support from Al Gore in the 2000 election leading to George W. Bush’s victory.
Political Parties Vocabulary Party polarization- refers to cases in which an individual's stance on a given issue, policy, or person is more likely to be strictly defined by their identification with a particular political party (e.g., Democrat or Republican) or ideology (e.g., liberal or conservative) Dealignment- a trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation, without developing a new one to replace it. It is contrasted with realignment.
Political Parties Vocabulary Critical election- When a national crisis forces voters to confront divisive issues that fracture party coalitions. This usually leads a significant group of voters to change their traditional patterns of party loyalty. Dealignment- a trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation, without developing a new one to replace it. It is contrasted with realignment.
Political Parties Vocabulary National convention-The national convention serves as the party’s national voice. Party delegates meet in the summer of every fourth year to select the party’s candidates for president and vice president. They are also responsible for writing and adopting the party’s platform.