Quick Survey Do you agree or disagree with the following: Parties do more to confuse the issues than to provide a clear choice on issues. The best way to vote is to pick a candidate regardless of party label. It would be better if we put no party labels on the ballot at all.

The Definition of Party organizations that recruit and sponsor candidates for public office under the organization's name. The aim of parties is to establish control of government at a particular level.

Functions of Parties organized critique of the party in power a choice of leaders and programs recruit and nominate electoral candidates Provide cues to voters Mobilize voters

Characteristics of the American Party System Federalism  highly fragmented and localism – parties most elections are at local level 50 state party organizations governed by state, not national, laws National party only during presidential elections New Deal Coalition- farmers, labor, blacks, and south?

The Democratic Parties Democratic National Committee Senate Democratic caucus, House Democratic Caucus NY Democratic Party NY Assembly Democratic Caucus NY Senate Democratic Caucus Saratoga County Democratic party Saratoga Springs Democratic party

Nominating Candidates

Primary & General Elections Democratic Primary Republican Primary General Election Primary Election  Intraparty, nomination General Election  Interparty, election

Two Party Duopoly

How Many Political Parties?

Why 2 Parties? Plurality Rule  2 Parties Proportional Representation  Multiple Parties Why? 1) Psychological Effect 2) Mechanical Effect 2000 Election Dem 48.3% Rep 48.0% Green 2.6% Reform.4% Note: FEC, ballot access laws, party funding rules, debate criteria etc. … Duverger’s Law:

2 Party System-Why United States Electoral system Winner take all Ballot access laws/campaign finance system France- 2 rounds First round, all parties participate Runoff election between 2 top parties

Single Member Simple Plurality SMSP System GOP 40% Winner Dem 35% Green 25% Proportional System 40% seats GOP, 35% Dem, 25% Green SM majority system, runoff elections 2 nd election between GOP and Dem candidate

Societal Consensus United States--Less ideological/religious cleavages Separation of church and state Desirability of capitalism, free markets France Desirability of revolution Desirability of capitalism Desirability of religion Desirability of centralization; Paris v. Regions Communists v. Socialists RPR v. Free Republic v. National Front

Third Parties Third parties rarely last Electoral system- wasted votes Main parties absorb issues Perot and budget deficits Nader and campaign finance reform?

Evolution of Parties Up until 1952, parties dominate American politics Party workers mobilize voters Dominate citizen’s conceptions of politics But are weakening in face of progressive reforms

Demise of Parties Civil service reform Nonpartisan local elections, reliance on “experts” The new “intelligent” and “independent” voter Changes in technology

Rise of Consultants Polling – Al D’Amato Direct Mail fundraising TV advertising Change from politics dominated by parties to one dominated by technology and consultants Capital not labor intensive

Rise of Consultants Polling Direct Mail fundraising TV advertising Capital intensive

Weakening Parties Party in electorate- increase independents, split ticket voting Party in government – reduction in party voting Party as organization – most campaigns are candidate centered

Party Identification - Democratic dominance gives way to Independents - More split-ticket voting and divided government

Declining Party Identification

Who are the Partisans? Democrats Minorities esp. blacks Least and most educated Lowest income Northeast Single and female Unionized Jewish and nonreligious Liberal Republicans White Higher incomes Married with children South Male Protestant and religious Conservative

Who benefits from weak parties? Special interests Wealthy and celebrity candidates Incumbents gain Political consultants

Consequences of Party Decline decline of collective responsibility Rise of blame game Stronger parties would Increase voters’ power Promote more responsible govt

Differences between Parties What do Democrats believe? favor stronger role for the national government in areas such as health care, education, and the environment. More supportive policies supporting various groups (minorities, women, gays). More in favor of redistributive policies. More permissive socially

Differences between 2 Parties What do Republicans believe? More limited role for government in general, but especially the national government. Deregulation--give more power to the free market, less power to the government. Lower taxes and spending. Stricter social policy; “family values”

Emerging Democratic Majority economic, demographic, and ideological changes favor national Democratic majority