Political Parties and their functions Daily Dilemma: What are the pros and cons of political parties?

What is a political party? Political Party: An organization that sponsors candidates for political office under the organizations name. For example: Republican and Democratic

Party Functions Political system: A set of interrelated institution that links people with government. Four party functions: 1) Nominating candidates for election 2) Structuring voting choice 3) Proposing alternative government programs 4) Coordinating the Sections of Government Officials Nominating candidates: Designation as an official candidate of a political party.

Structuring the voting choices Only put candidates on the ballot who have a realistic chance of winning. Discussion Question: Is every and any American citizen qualified to hold political office?

Proposing Alternative Government Programs and Coordinating the Actions of Government Officials People will vote for the party that has policies that they agree with. There are two ways parties coordinate the separation of powers that can govern the country well. 1) Candidates' and officials' political success 2) Members of the same party share political

The Preparty Period Electoral college: A body of electors chosen by voters to cast ballots for president and vice president. Presidential elections in the early years were decided by a handful of political leaders. Caucus: A closed meeting of the members of a political party to decide questions of policy and the selection of candidates for office.

Factions in the Preparty Period. Factions are groups pursuing some common political interest. Tories/loyalists were supporters of the British rule Whigs/patriots were opposers of British rule Federalists are people who favor the Constitution Antifederalists are people who oppose the Constitution

The First Party System This system included the Federalists and Democratic Republicans. The nation's first party struggle over presidency was in 1792 when Washington, a federalist, won presidency but his vice president was opposed by a Democratic Republican. In the election of 1800, the party function of nominated candidates became more clear. Both parties nominated candidates for presidents. This was truly the first party contest for presidency.

The First Party System (cont.) The two party organization worked well because according to Constitution, each elector has to vote for two people by ballot. The twelfth amendment, ratified in 1804, prevented a repeat of troublesome elections. It required the electoral college to vote seperately for president and vice president

The Second Party System The total number of people allowed to vote increased by 300%. From 370,000 to 1.1 million. Party Platform: The statement of policies of a national political party The old method of nominating presidential candidates was not working so they switched to national convention National convention: Gathering of a single political party across the country to choose candidates for president and vice president to adopt a party platform.

Do you think presidential elections should be decided by a handful of political leaders? Do you think that having more people to vote in elections produces an equal decision?

Page By: Vang, Evin, and Shelby

Electoral realignment Definition: The change in voting patterns that occurs after critical election. The election of 1860, political division between North and South. Northern states primarily Republicans and Southern states Democrats.

Eras of Party Dominance Since the Civil War Two-party system: A political system in which two major political parties compete for control of the government, third party has little chance of winning. Loyalty is a major concept when being a part of one party. People change their identification over time.

Rough Balance The GOP won 8 out of 10 presidential elections. The Republican and Democrats won equal number of congressional elections.

Republican Majority Before the Great Depression the Republicans were favored over the Democrats. Republicans controlled the presidency, Senate, and the House.

A democratic Majority 1932 Republicans fell from majority status. FDR's promises for a better economy, persuaded Americans to turn to Democratic solutions. Continued its power to the House and Senate.

A Rough Balance: 1968-Present The Fourth Critical election: Nixon won 5 out of 11 and Humphrey won 1 out of 11 Southern states. The parties are fairly even in electoral strength now. Electoral Dealignment: A lessening of the importance of party loyalties in voting decisions.

Minor Parties in America 1.Boltier Parties: split off factions of the Major Parties 2.Farmer-Labor Parties: Workers and farmers that believe the working class is not getting enough wealth 3.Ideological Protest Parties: Reject popular ideas in favor of more extreme principles (Socialist Parties) 4.Single-issue Parties: Only promote 1 issue (Green Party)

Functions of Minor Parties 3rd Parties do better supporting policies (women's suffrage) 3rd Parties do better supporting policies (women's suffrage) Express discontent with Major Party objectives Express discontent with Major Party objectives Allow people not satisfied with the status quo to conventionally participate through 3rd Parties. Allow people not satisfied with the status quo to conventionally participate through 3rd Parties.

Why a Two-Party System? Majority Representation: System where one office with two or more candidates, is won by the candidate with the most votes. Majority Representation: System where one office with two or more candidates, is won by the candidate with the most votes. Proportional Representation: System where a party is given seats in proportion to how many votes they get in an election. Proportional Representation: System where a party is given seats in proportion to how many votes they get in an election. Two Parties pass laws making it harder for 3rd Parties to get on the ballot, like needing thousands of signatures Two Parties pass laws making it harder for 3rd Parties to get on the ballot, like needing thousands of signatures

People that identify with Independents are growing. Over 1/2 the public want a 3rd major party. yet don't support them in polls.

Final Question Should the U.S. create a third Major party? Why or why not? Should the U.S. create a third Major party? Why or why not?

The Federal Basis of the Party System Voting for president is convenient and informative to American history. Voting for president is convenient and informative to American history. Americans tend to only concentrate on presidential vote and ignore electoral patterns Americans tend to only concentrate on presidential vote and ignore electoral patterns - Even if defeated in a presidential election, that party can still claim victory for state offices. Gives a base of support that keeps oiled for the next contest. - Even if defeated in a presidential election, that party can still claim victory for state offices. Gives a base of support that keeps oiled for the next contest.

Party Identification in America Do you think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, or an independent? Party Identification-A voter's sense of psychological attachment to a party. (one of the most important in political science.) Voting is a behavior; identification is a state of mind. o The number of Republicans and Democrats combined has far exceeded the independents every year. o The numberof Democrats has consistently exceeded that of Republicans. o The number of Democrats has shrunk over time, mainly to the benefit of independents. -Party Identification tend to encourage citizens to vote for their favorite party or the opposite party

Who are Democrats and Republicans? Republicans: ~North Central States Democrats: ~Religious groups [Jews], Non-whites, Women About half of all Americans tend to adopt their parent's party views but it takes time for the actual party identification to develop o Youngest Group = Independent o 30's -40's = Republicans -Reagan and Bush presidencies o Oldest Group = Strongly Democratic & Partisan Committee

Party Ideology and Organization "There isn't a dime worth of difference between Democrats and Republicans" - George Wallace Differences in Party Ideology Democrats tend to spend more on advance social welfare than Republicans. Republicans decry about massive social spend but they do it also. Ronald Reagan spend one trillion dollar on defense George W. Bush's massive tax cut but still spend money on a missile defense, $400 billion in Medicare, and a space platform

Voter & Activists Voters: 16% Democrats compared to 63% Republicans described themselves conservative Delegates: 3% Democrats compared with 72% Republicans described themselves conservative. Platforms: Freedom, Order, and Equality " Not Only Idea but Words" Democrats mentions: equal or equality, crimes or criminal, marriage and abortion, poverty. Republicans mentions: free or freedom, order, taxes.

The Federal Basis of the Party System Democrats Democrats Republicans Republicans Independents (Independents have chosen their political beliefs based on things other than parties; they won't back an idea because a certain party backs it.) Independents (Independents have chosen their political beliefs based on things other than parties; they won't back an idea because a certain party backs it.) Apolitical (Usually found in swing states, apolitical people are undecided about their political beliefs. In a way, Apoliticals are Independents.) Apolitical (Usually found in swing states, apolitical people are undecided about their political beliefs. In a way, Apoliticals are Independents.)

Party Identification in America Party Identification: A voter's sense of psychological attachment to a party. Party Identification: A voter's sense of psychological attachment to a party. A person will consider him/herself as a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. A person will consider him/herself as a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. Why might Party Identification be important in political science? Why might Party Identification be important in political science? Why would Party Identfication matter? Why would Party Identfication matter?

Party Identification in America(cont.) Americans tend to find their political niche and stay there. This is, however, a state of mind and not actually voting. EX: A person who considers him/herself a Republican may vote for a Democrat presidential candidate because the candidate may provide the Republican voter more opportunities. Voting for one side or another does not signify your party identification.

Party Ideology And Organization Democrats spend a lot of money in order to further social spending and enforce equality, among them is Obamacare. Democrats are usually liberals. Democrats spend a lot of money in order to further social spending and enforce equality, among them is Obamacare. Democrats are usually liberals. Republicans, on the other hand, think that spending money on a majority of social wellfare is unnecessary and spend money on different things, such as the military. Republicans are usually conservatives. Republicans, on the other hand, think that spending money on a majority of social wellfare is unnecessary and spend money on different things, such as the military. Republicans are usually conservatives.

Platforms: Freedom, Order, and Equality Freedom, order, and equality actually play a HUGE role in what political party people associate themselves with. People sided with equality and freedom are usually Democrats. They support everyone having equal rights. People sided with order are usually Republicans. They support having a more firm government.

$unny Moua, Jame Moua, Toua Lee Page

State and Local Party Oraganizations At one time, both major parties were firmly anchored by powerful state and local party organizations. At one time, both major parties were firmly anchored by powerful state and local party organizations. Big-city party organizations, such as the Democrats, Tammy Hall in New York City and the Cook County Central Committee in Chicago, were called party machines. Big-city party organizations, such as the Democrats, Tammy Hall in New York City and the Cook County Central Committee in Chicago, were called party machines. A party machine is a centralized organization that dominated local politics by controlling elections - sometimes by illegal means, often by providing jobs and social services to urban workers in return for their votes. A party machine is a centralized organization that dominated local politics by controlling elections - sometimes by illegal means, often by providing jobs and social services to urban workers in return for their votes. Both RNC and DNC share similar campaign activities. Whereas once both RNC and DNC were dependent for their funding on "quotas" paid by state parties, now the funds flow the other way. Both RNC and DNC share similar campaign activities. Whereas once both RNC and DNC were dependent for their funding on "quotas" paid by state parties, now the funds flow the other way.

American political parties are still among the most decentralized parties in the world. American political parties are still among the most decentralized parties in the world. Not even the president can count on loyalty from the legislative members of his party. Not even the president can count on loyalty from the legislative members of his party. In the 2009 congressional vote on reforming health care, (President Obama's most important policy initiative) 39 of the 258 seats of Democrats voted against it. In the 2009 congressional vote on reforming health care, (President Obama's most important policy initiative) 39 of the 258 seats of Democrats voted against it. Decentralized but Growing Stronger

Responsible Party Government- 1.Parties should present clear and coherent programs to voters. 2.Voters should choose candidates on the basis of party programs. 3.The winning party should carry out its program once in office. 4.Voters should hold the governing party responsible at the next election for executing its program. The Model of Responsible Party Government

Summary