Political Parties
What are political parties? A political party is defined as an organized group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.
Make-up of Parties Party in Government The office holders who organize themselves and pursue policy objectives under a party label.
Party in organization The workers and activists who make up the party’s formal organizing structure. debbie wasserman Schultz reince priebus
Party in Electorate The voters who consider themselves allied or associated with the party.
Functions of parties 1. Recruit Candidates Parties search for candidates, nominate them, and help to define their viewpoints. 2. Building Coalitions Parties try to build coalitions of likeminded citizens. 3. GET INFORMATION OUT Mailings, social media platforms, and other forms of communication can build support.
More Functions 4. POLICY FORMATION & PROMOTION Political parties play a major role in running the government. Legisla tures at national and state level are organized along party lines. M ost political appointments in the federal executive and judicial bran ches are made along party lines. 5. OPPOSE OTHER PARTY (AKA: WATCHDOG) No party is in control of all level of government Parties are the “loya l opposition,” trying to force compromises. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJrNVMdJ7-w
Two party v Multi Party
Minor Parties Typically unsuccessful in America. Rare examples: Ross Perot 1992 & 96, Teddy Roosevelt 1912. Do not have financial support or name recognition that reaches low-information voters.
Types of Minor Parties SINGLE ISSUE PARTIES Created to advance a particular policy or to solve one particular political concern. (Examples: Free Soil Party wanted to end slavery. The American Party wanted to tighten restrictions on immigration and citizenship)
Splinter Parties Break off from a larger existing party due to an ideology differing fro m that of party leaders.
Economic Protest Parties They are created due to concern with economic conditions. (Exa mple: In 1892, the Populists focused on issues that farmers faced)
Ideological Parties Created to follow a prescribed ideology and have comprehensive views of government and policy that differs greatly from that of the two major parties.
Conventions Held once every four years. Create platform: a list of party values and beliefs going into the election cycle. Nominates candidates. A rallying of the troops before the election. 2016 Sites GOP: Cleveland, OH Dem: Philadelphia, PA
Conventions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOmoXquHdL8 Era 1 (Through 1832) Closed door caucusing. Done through the party elites. Era 2 (Through 1932) State based conventions. State parties and people in the party ran the conventions. Era 3 (Through 1968) Candidate centered conventions. Candidates announced, seek support from prominent party members. Era 4 (Since 1968) More of a show, we already know whose the nominee. Party unity, pep rally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3w6IcU418E
When Conventions go wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkvOdyG9d7Y (GOP) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG6qgSfaARE (Tyler’s Party)