Political Parties Functions

Today many Americans take pride in their status as “independent” voters Today many Americans take pride in their status as “independent” voters Some see parties as lacking a vision for the country Some see parties as lacking a vision for the country

Political Parties Since many people think that each of the major parties only cares about defeating or humiliating the other, they avoid identification as a “loyal Democrat” or a “staunch Republican” Since many people think that each of the major parties only cares about defeating or humiliating the other, they avoid identification as a “loyal Democrat” or a “staunch Republican”

Political Parties These negative attitudes toward parties are rooted in the roles that political parties play in American politics These negative attitudes toward parties are rooted in the roles that political parties play in American politics

Political Parties In most democracies political parties are important institutions that link citizens to their government In most democracies political parties are important institutions that link citizens to their government

Political Parties The founders of the U.S. political system hoped to avoid the “mischief” of political factions when they envisioned a government with enough points of influence to make parties necessary The founders of the U.S. political system hoped to avoid the “mischief” of political factions when they envisioned a government with enough points of influence to make parties necessary

Political Parties James Madison reflected this in Federalist #10 James Madison reflected this in Federalist #10 Political factions are necessary evils to be controlled by federalism and separation of powers Political factions are necessary evils to be controlled by federalism and separation of powers

Political Parties Founders still believed that political parties such as those that dominated British politics could and should be avoided at all costs Founders still believed that political parties such as those that dominated British politics could and should be avoided at all costs

Political Parties Political parties appeared almost as soon as the new government was created with their origins in the disagreements between two of Washington’s cabinet members Political parties appeared almost as soon as the new government was created with their origins in the disagreements between two of Washington’s cabinet members Thomas Jefferson & Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson & Alexander Hamilton

What are the functions of political parties in the American political system?

Functions of Parties (1) Connecting citizens to their government (1) Connecting citizens to their government (2) Running candidates for political office (2) Running candidates for political office (3) Informing the public (3) Informing the public (4) Organizing the government (4) Organizing the government

Connecting Citizens to their Gov Parties are one of several linkage institutions Parties are one of several linkage institutions Connect people in a large democracy to the government Connect people in a large democracy to the government

Connecting Citizens to their Gov In any country with a population large enough to form a representative democracy, institutions that link people to government are a necessity In any country with a population large enough to form a representative democracy, institutions that link people to government are a necessity

Connecting Citizens to their Gov Party ideology and organization increase political efficacy Party ideology and organization increase political efficacy Helps citizens to make sense of government decision & processes; makes people feel that government listens to them Helps citizens to make sense of government decision & processes; makes people feel that government listens to them

Connecting Citizens to their Gov Modern linkage institutions include: Modern linkage institutions include: Interest Groups Interest Groups Media Media Elections Elections Political Parties Political Parties

Running Candidates for Political Office Parties pick policymakers and run campaigns Parties pick policymakers and run campaigns Most elected officials (local, state, national level) run as nominees of a major political party Most elected officials (local, state, national level) run as nominees of a major political party

Running Candidates for Political Office Whereas wealth certainly helps, most candidates rely on the party organization to coordinate & fund their political campaigns Whereas wealth certainly helps, most candidates rely on the party organization to coordinate & fund their political campaigns

Informing the Public Parties articulate policies Parties articulate policies Give cues to voters Give cues to voters

Informing the Public Although both major parties are by necessity broadly based, they each convey an image & endorse policies that help voters decide which candidates to support Although both major parties are by necessity broadly based, they each convey an image & endorse policies that help voters decide which candidates to support

Organizing the Government Parties often coordinate government policymaking that would be more fragmented among the three branches & the local, state, and federal levels Parties often coordinate government policymaking that would be more fragmented among the three branches & the local, state, and federal levels

Organizing the Government Informal relationships between officials in different parts of government but with similar partisan ties can make policymaking go more smoothly Informal relationships between officials in different parts of government but with similar partisan ties can make policymaking go more smoothly

Review Questions: In Federalist #10, what system did James Madison advocate in order to control factions? In Federalist #10, what system did James Madison advocate in order to control factions? What are the 4 functions of American political parties? What are the 4 functions of American political parties?