What purpose do they serve? Political Parties in America

What is a Political Party? A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label (party identification) by which they are known to the electorate Group who seek to control government by winning elections Act as a “mini-corporation” State Parties different from National Idaho Republican Party may have different platform than the National Republican Party Platform: How a party stands on issues Political Party An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy Political Party An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Party Systems Multiparty  Coalition government is necessary  Minor parties have an incentive to persevere  Proportional representation  Governments tend toward instability Two party Winner-takes-all system “ Wasted vote ” syndrome discourages minor parties Government tends toward stability Policy change is incremental

Why a Two-Party System? The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists. The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them. The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties. Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters.

Political Party Membership The two dominant parties are divided into state, local, and national parties Voters may become members of a party when they register to vote Some states require party registration at the time of voter registration (ex: Alabama does not) Party membership involves no duties or obligations beyond voting What are some reasons for becoming an active member of a political party? If you have to declare party membership, do you know which party you would declare? What are your reasons for choosing the party you chose? The two dominant parties are divided into state, local, and national parties Voters may become members of a party when they register to vote Some states require party registration at the time of voter registration (ex: Alabama does not) Party membership involves no duties or obligations beyond voting What are some reasons for becoming an active member of a political party? If you have to declare party membership, do you know which party you would declare? What are your reasons for choosing the party you chose?

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman What Do Parties Do? Unify the Electorate Help Organize Government Translate Preferences into Policy Provide Loyal Opposition Organize the Competition

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Nominate Candidates Caucus: A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform Hillary Rodham Clinton; contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008  Recruit & select who they want to represent them

“Bonding Agent” Ensures good performance of its candidates If a government official does a bad job it is a reflection of the political party. Ensures good performance of its candidates If a government official does a bad job it is a reflection of the political party.

Governing Officials are usually chosen on the basis of party membership.

Acting as a “Watchdog” Usually an action of the party not in power. Criticizes policies and behaviors of the party in power. Republicans criticizing Obama’s Health Care Plan Usually an action of the party not in power. Criticizes policies and behaviors of the party in power. Republicans criticizing Obama’s Health Care Plan

Patronage Political parties dispense patronage It is the granting of political favors or political positions in return for financial compensation/ campaign donations, etc Political parties dispense patronage It is the granting of political favors or political positions in return for financial compensation/ campaign donations, etc

Offer New & Fresh Ideas  Parties encourage compromise and adopt moderate policies with mass appeal

Informing and Activating Supporters Try to sway people to change opinions Educate/Inspire voters on issues Bring important issues to the attention of the public Publish the party’s position on these issues Help form public opinion Try to sway people to change opinions Educate/Inspire voters on issues Bring important issues to the attention of the public Publish the party’s position on these issues Help form public opinion

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman The 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 Elections: Into the New Century  2000: partisan tie in the Senate, slim Republican majority in House and contested presidential vote count  2002: President’s party gained seats in the House and Senate  2004: Bush reelected and his party picked up seats in Senate and House  2006: Democrats win majority in both House and Senate  2008: Democrats increase majority in House and Senate, and win the presidency

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Parties as Institutions  National party leadership  Party platforms  Parties at the state and local levels

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Important Differences in What Democratic and Republican Parties Stand For,

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Parties In Government In the executive branch In the legislative branch In the judicial branch At the state and local levels

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Parties in the Electorate Party Registration The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when registering to vote Party Activists Party Regulars Candidate Activists Issue Activists

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Party Identification

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Party Identification

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Party Identification