Final Review Unit 3 Linkage Institutions

Linkage Institutions Linkage institutions connect citizens to their government In addition to media, other linkage institutions are political parties and interest groups

Political Parties Not mentioned in the Constitution but developed immediately Parties are election-focused and legislation-focused US has a two-party (bipartisan) system (Democrats and Republicans) Two-party system is reinforced by our electoral system—each race is for one seat Also hard for third party candidate to make ballot

Political Party Characteristics Parties serve as intermediaries between people and the government Parties are made up of grassroots members, activist members and leadership Parties are organized to Raise money Present positions on policy and Get their candidate elected to office (this is most important party function)

Third / Minor Parties Form to represent constituencies that feel disenfranchised from the major parties Splinter parties-have split off from major parties; feel slighted by their major party Ross Perot’s Reform Party is an example Ideological parties (doctrinal)- Socialist or Libertarian Party Single-issue parties-focus on one issue (Green party) Third parties are NOT the same as independent candidates who run without party affiliation

Third / Minor Parties Why they fail: Why they are important: American system is designed to support only two parties Winner take all system discourages votes for a minor party (throw-away your vote) Why they are important: Serve as critic and innovator in American system—can suggest new approaches to problems and can take a clear stance on issues

Functions of Modern Political Parties Parts of the Party In Electorate—voters who support their party and candidates In government—elected party office holders Party organization– political professionals who recruit candidates and voters, organize campaigns and raise $ Functions of Party Recruit and nominate candidates Educate and mobilize voters Provide campaign funds and support Organize government activity Provide checks and balance through opposition of two parties Reduce conflict and tension in society by promoting compromise

Are Parties in Decline? Some cite the following as proof that they are Since 1968, we have had divided government- executive branch is held by one party and legislative branch by the other; previously, one party dominated Americans are voting split ticket more frequently A rise in the number of voters registering as “independent” rather than Democrat or Republican

Party Coalitions Republican Coalition Democratic coalition Religious conservatives Cuban Americans Pro-lifers, opponents of gay rights and affirmative action Veterans’ groups / strong military types Democratic coalition Pro choice, environmentalists African Americans, Jewish people Intellectuals, urban dwellers Lower incomes Labor unions

Ideological Differences Between Parties Republicans Spend more on defense Government aid to private or religious schools Tax relief to everyone, including wealthy and corporations Do NOT support spending on healthcare and social welfare Do NOT favor gun control Democrats Spend less on defense Spend more on social welfare, education, government-run health care Tax relief to low income and middle class Favor some gun control

Party Realignment Realignment occurs when the coalitions within the two parties fall apart—such as when a group within a party moves to the other party Examples include Black Southern voters moving from Republican to Democrat during the Civil Rights Movement Realignment is signaled by a critical election—when a new party comes to dominate politics Since 1960s we have been in era of divided gov’t Dealignment - # of Democrats has decreased, # of Republicans has stayed stable, # of Independents has increased

Interest Groups and Lobbyists Interest Groups are organizations dedicated to a particular political goal or to a set of unified goals. Examples: Christian Coalition, NAACP, NRA Similar to political parties in that they try to influence politics but different in that they’re ideologically focused rather than election focused Lobbying- influencing legislators on a bill

How Interest Groups Influence Government Direct lobbying- meet with elected officials Testifying before Congress Socializing- to meet and forge relationships Endorsements Court actions Rallying their members Propaganda

Limits on Lobbying Several laws limit the scope of lobbying efforts but are largely ineffective Stronger efforts to limit lobbying can violate the 1st Amendment right to free speech Buckley v. Valeo, 1976- Federal limits on campaign donations upheld but also equated donations with free speech; Court says they shouldn’t be too limited

Political Action Committees (PACs) Were created by the 1974 Federal Elections Campaign Act as a means of raising campaign funds that could be tracked. May not donate more than $5000 per year to any single candidate Must donate to at least 5 different candidates Corporations, unions, trade associations make up PACs May not exceed $108,200 to national parties

527 Groups Is a tax-exempt organization that promotes a political agenda but who can NOT advocate for a specific candidate These political organizations are NOT regulated by the FEC or subject to PAC limits Examples are Swift Boat veterans, College Republican National Committee Mc-Cain-Feingold/Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 made 527s a more attractive option to get around hard money limits of the Act.

Campaign Finance Today Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010) Landmark Supreme Court case Court rules that the 1st A prohibits gov’t from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions. Super PACs are now created to fund campaigns Super PACs Super PACs may not make contributions to candidate campaigns or parties Must do any political spending independently of the campaigns. Can raise funds from corporations, unions and other groups, and from individuals, without legal limits.