Article Assignment Outline the article’s argument Main Idea Supporting details that support argument – 8-10 Counter-points

Unit 3: Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections, Interest Groups, Media Linking the citizenry to the government

Chapter 9 Political Parties

Party Realignment/Critical elections 1828 1936 1964/68

The 6 Party Systems You will research one of the party systems throughout American History and put the following in a presentation to the class: Names of two major parties (and significant others if pertinent) The time period Major platform issues (2-3 EACH) Major candidates Major demographics that supported each. Why did the system emerge? What happened to the parties? What led to a transition? Some basics: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/polisci/american-politics-today3/essentials/ch/06/outline.aspx

Minor Party Research Work with 2-3 people Google “minor political parties list” and click on the ballotpedia website Pick any political party on that list that you have never heard of Record 4-5 of their major platform issues Which of the major parties do they most likely align with? Either? If the electoral college system were amended, do you think this party could gain traction nationally?

Functions of Parties in Elections Mobilize, educate and provide ‘cues’ for voters Provide a platform of issues Recruit, nominate, raise funds for candidates for government office Campaign management, including fundraising and media strategy

The United States Versus Europe - In Europe, political parties tend to have more influence because: Candidates for elective office are usually nominated by party leaders Campaigns are run by the party and not the candidate Once in office, the elected official is expected to vote and act together with the members of his party **Proportional systems

Figure 9.3 Cleavages and Continuity in the Two-Party System

Source: Data from CNN exit polls for each year.

Role of Political Parties in Congress Promote the party’s public agenda – articulate and facilitate passage of policy Leadership positions assigned on a party basis Majority party appoints and controls standing committees and selects committee chairs Majority party controls floor debates, rules and calendar favorable to their own policy priorities.

Factors that have weakened political parties Direct primaries – gives parties less control over the nomination process; candidates appeal directly to voters and bypass party leadership; don’t need support of party elites Candidate-centered campaigns – candidates can raise money by appealing to voters or PACs directly; candidates choose their own issues to campaign on

Polarization Political polarization strengthens party influence in Congress Voters and members of Congress far less likely to ‘cross the aisle’ to vote or compromise with the other party Members of political parties vote strictly along party lines (down-ballot as opposed to split-ticketing)

Why don’t third parties win presidential elections? Winner-take-all electoral college and congressional districts Single-member plurality districts Limited ballot access (get a certain % of the vote, certain number of registered voters, etc.) Exclusion from Presidential debates

Minor Parties Ideological, one-issue Often formed as a protest movement *Agenda planks often incorporated in platforms of major parties

Point of view in this cartoon?