“Linkage Institution” Political Parties “Linkage Institution”

Essential Question To what extent are political parties necessary to democracy?

Linkage Political parties “link” government and its power to us, the people They provide a bridge to government Did you know political parties are not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution?

The Framers The Founding Fathers actually viewed “factions” as dangers which needed to be controlled. They distrusted them! Yet those same guys became the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists (the first political “parties”) This was the main debate transitioning from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution of 1787.

The Framers cont. Here are the basics….. Anti-Federalists Federalists Opposed a strong federal government Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams Federalists For a strong federal government Alexander Hamilton, John Adams

Why Parties? The competition for power in a democracy needs to be organized Otherwise the democracy would be chaotic and unworkable Even though we inherently distrust their partisanship

Party Structure National Convention – meets every 4 years, nominates President National Committee – manages party affairs on daily basis Congressional campaign committee – supports party’s candidates National chair – manages daily work

Goal of a Political Party? WIN ELECTIONS

Function of Parties Connecting citizens to government (linkage institution) -Political Efficacy – citizen participation level and awareness of government decisions Run candidates for political office Inform the public – help voters decide who to vote for in elections Organizing government – coordinate government policy-making Act as a watchdog

Parties are unifying Too many parties might splinter society A few, well organized parties: Encourage compromise Blunt tensions Marginalize extremism This is why political parties formed in every democracy Despite a lack of definition in Constitution

Why 2 parties? Winner-take-all system Winner receives a seat while loser receives nothing 3rd party usually joins one of other parties Opposite – Proportional Representation – % of votes is directly applied as the % of representatives

U.S. Political Parties                                                                                                                                                                        

Left or Right? Left Federalists Whigs Republicans Progressives Democrats Liberal Right Anti-Federalists Democratic-Republicans Democrats Republicans Conservative

“Grass Roots” “Grass Roots” – parties can also reach the voters personally and “get-out-the-vote” on a local level

Minor Parties Third Parties have played a role in politics Types Individual personality – those dominated by one figure head (Ex. – 1912 Theodore Roosevelt – Bull-Moose, 1968 George Wallace – American Independent Party) Long-lasting goal or ideology – (Ex. – Abolitionists, Prohibitionists, Socialists)

Major Third Parties Ideological One-issue (or single-issue) Socialist Party, Communist Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party One-issue (or single-issue) Free-soil, “Know-Nothing”, Prohibition, Woman’s Party Economic protest Populists Factional Progressives, Dixiecrats, Reform

Party Identification Dealignment – weak membership, more “independents” or moderates – popular trend in the last 50 years. “I’m not Republican or Democrat” Strait ticket voting – strong party membership, support all candidates for one party Ticket splitting – voting for candidates from multiple parties

Eras in American History Founding (1789 – 1824) Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists/Dem-Rep Controversy: Federalism Jacksonian Period (1824 – 1840) Democrat vs. Whig Controversy: Jackson himself

Eras in American History Sectionalism (1840 – 1876) Democrats vs. Whigs (and Republicans) Controversy: Slavery and Reconstruction Era of Reform (1876 – present) Democrats vs. Republicans Controversy: Government in economy

Realignments 1800 First peaceful transition of power 1828 First “heated” election 1860 Lead to Civil War based around civil rights 1896 Decided social roles of the parties re: business 1932 Decided social roles of the parties re: the people

Realignment? “Gridlock” – Congress and Presidency controlled by different parties 2004 - Republican sweep of Congress and Presidency - party loyalty stronger? 2006 - split the Presidency and Congress again 2008 - brought a Democratic sweep 2010 – Republican sweep, but Senate still barely Democrat 2012?

Divided government When one branch is one party, the other branch is the other party President Obama, Democrat House of Reps, Republican Senate, Democrat How might this affect the dynamic process of government? Does it constrain or enhance change? Is this good for government?

Review Political parties “link” government and its power to us, the people They provide a bridge to government Political parties are not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution.

Why Parties? The competition for power in a democracy needs to be organized Otherwise the democracy would be chaotic and unworkable Even though we inherently distrust their partisanship

Essential Question To what extent are political parties necessary to democracy?