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The Nature and Functions of American Political Parties

“No America without democracy, no democracy without politics, no politics without parties, no parties without compromise and moderation.” --Clinton Rossiter

Topical Outline What Are Political Parties? A. Definition of Political Parties B. Classification of Political Parties C. What do Political Parties do?

What is a Political Party?

Do You Think of Political Party Leaders?

Do You Think of Political Party Symbols?

Do You Think of Political Party Conventions?

Do You Think of Political Campaigns?

Do You Think of Divisions in Congress?

Do You Think of Political Parties Positively? Do You Think of Political Parties Negatively?

No Holds Barred Politics is the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government. There are 2 major political parties in the U.S. – Democratic and Republican.

What is a……

Someone Say Party?? -A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, and determine public policy. -A political party is group of people who run candidates for public office under its banner. -A political party is an Organization of people who share similar ideas about the way the country should be governed How do you join a political party? simply declare yourself a member!!

Political Party Systems 3 Political Party Systems in the World

Political Party Systems 3 Political Party Systems in the World 1.) One Party System: Political party and the government are the SAME Only 1 party, so no competing ideas Party membership based on lineage, wealth, military power, religious power Example: China (Communist Party)

Political Party Systems 2.) Multi-Party System: Three or more parties compete for control of the government Common in Europe, Israel, Japan Advantage: provides voters with many choices and ideas Disadvantage: difficult for one party to get majority of votes EXAMPLE – Italy (50 different govts. since WWII) Daisy Alliance Sunflower Alliance Italian Communist 500,000 votes 450,000 votes 200,000 votes

Political Party Systems 3. Two-Party System: Two parties compete with each other to run the government. Party system of U.S.: Democrats and Republicans Advantages: Consistency Disadvantages: Few Choices, Minority parties (third parties) receive little attention – focus is on two main parties

Why A Two-Party System? A. Tradition C. Economic Divisions It seems the United States has nearly always had a strong two-party system. It is part of our nation’s history and tradition. B. Social Consensus If a nation can achieve a “consensus” on fundamental values, then two parties are all that is needed to resolve secondary issues. C. Economic Divisions Some believe our two major political parties represent an economic division between the so-called “haves” and “have nots” in American society.

What Do Political Parties Do?? 2004 Republican National Convention

Platform a political party’s statement of programs and policies it will pursue once its candidates are in office.

Planks An individual policy within a political party’s platform

What Do Political Party Members Do?? Major function of each party is to get its candidate elected to office Steps include Party members nominate, or name the candidates they want to run for office 2004 Republican National Convention

What Do Political Party Members Do?? 2. Party starts an election campaign An effort to gather support for its candidates and inform voters of the party’s stand on issues Requires many party workers and volunteers to perform dozens of job that include: Raising funds Polling voters/making phone calls Drive voters to the polls Register voters John Kerry Campaigning

What Do Political Party Members Do? Presidential Election Campaigns

Campaigns In order to win an election, a candidate must have an effective campaign (strategy for winning/process of running for office). Campaigns are supported by political action committees (PACS) – contribute money to campaigns of candidates they support

Canvassing When volunteers go door-to-door in neighborhoods or station themselves in public places for the purpose of encouraging citizens to vote for their candidate.

What Do Political Party Members Do? 3. Once a party’s candidate is elected, the party helps the candidate organize and manage the govt. Example: When a President is elected, 100’s of job vacancies in govt. must be filled. Jobs usually filled by party members who have contributed time, energy and money to the campaign. Patronage: giving jobs or special favors to party workers

Political Party Organization Political Parties are organized at every level: Local Party Committee : Goal is to get candidates from party elected to local political office, like mayor, city councilman, school superintendent, etc… State Party Committee: Goal is to get candidates from party elected to state political office, like governor, attorney general, state legislator, etc… National Party Committee: Goal is to get candidates from party elected to national political office, like President, Senator, House Representative

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings George Washington’s “Farewell Address” warns against political parties “parties serve their own interests” “parties not beneficial to American people” Parties formed immediately after his exit: Democratically-Republicans 2. Federalists

Third Parties There are other parties besides the Democrats and the Republicans in the USA All smaller parties are called Third Parties

Important 3rd Parties of the Past Some third parties have had an impact in this country Populists-popular in the 1890s, agrarian, pro-labor, anti-elite, city, bank, gold, railroad Progressives-effected the 1912 presidential election by taking votes from the republicans and allowing Woodrow Wilson to win the election for the democrats Libertarian Party- Socially Liberal, Economically Conservative

Third Parties Third Parties arise for 1 of 3 reasons: Single–issue parties: try to get a single idea passed. Once they do, they fade away. EX: Prohibition Party, Green Party Ideological parties: focus on changing the country in some way. EX: Socialist Party, Libertarian Party Independent candidates: arise around a strong individual. EX: The Reform Party (created for H. Ross Perot)

Third Parties cont Obstacles Third party candidates must obtain a large number of voter signatures to be placed on the ballot Trouble raising enough money

Third Parties Third parties very rarely ever win an election but can influence it in two ways: bring attention to issues usually adopted by major parties “spoiler” role

Third Parties America First Party American Heritage Party American Independent Party American Nazi Party Communist Party USA Constitution Party Family Values Party Grassroots Party American Falangist Party U.S. Marijuana Party Green Party Independence Party Labor Party Libertarian Party Natural Law Party The Third Party Worker’s World Party We the People Party Knights Party Libertarian National Socialist Party Constitutional Action Party Peace and Freedom Party Prohibition Party Reform party The Revolution Socialist Party, USA Southern Independence Party U.S. Pacifist Party Veterans Party of America Pansexual Peace Party Pot Party

Where You Can Find Them Republicans Democrats South Midwest Sm. Businesses Sm. Towns (Rural) Bible Belt Democrats West Coast East Coast Minorities Lg. Cities (Urban)

Is our country red??

or blue??

Source: Richard J. Hardy. Government in America Source: Richard J. Hardy. Government in America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. P. 275.

V. What are the Differences between Democrats and Republicans? Topical Outline V. What are the Differences between Democrats and Republicans? A. Differences in public policy B. Differences in core membership

National Convention National meeting held by the major political parties every four years which consists of delegates (representatives) from each state and US territories that meet to nominate (choose) candidates for president and vie president, as well as draft the party’s platform.

Parties Want VOTES! Majority Vote Plurality Vote When a party must win the majority of votes cast in order to win the election (more than half of the votes) Plurality Vote When a party does not need to win a majority of votes; it simply needs to win more than the other parties in order to be victorious in an election and hold the most influence.

Political Party Organization Democratic State Senator: Andy Manar President of the U.S.: Barack Obama Illinois Senator: Dick Durbin

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Democratic-Republicans Supported states rights Supported economy based on agriculture Power in hands of all people Led by Thomas Jefferson

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Federalists Supported strong national govt. Supported economy based on industry Power in hands of wealthy and educated Led by Alexander Hamilton

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Federalists Breakup Federalists gradually disappear – no political momentum John Adams only party member to be elected President Supporters formed new party: Whig Party (1834-1856)

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings Mid 1820’s: Democratic-Republicans breaking up Democratic Party formed to continue representing small farmers and working people

U.S. Political Parties: Beginnings 1850’s: Democratic Party and Whig Party split over slavery Pro-slavery voters form Democratic Party Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats formed Republican Party

U.S Political Parties: Beginnings Republican Party 1860: Abe Lincoln becomes 1st Republican President Emerges as stronger of 2 parties after Civil War 1865-1931:Only 2 Democratic Presidents elected Grover Cleveland Woodrow Wilson

Democrats 1828 formed in support of Andrew Jackson Stressed their ties to the common people Whigs split to compete with Democrats Democrats and Whigs remained the two major political parties until the 1850s