Political Behavior: Government by the people Unit 3

Parties and what they do Unit 3, Notes 1

Political Parties A political party is a group of people who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office We have 2 major parties in the U.S. Democrats Republicans Parties want to control government because they want to have an effect on certain public policies and programs Example Democrats wanted to get in office to get us out of war

Major Functions Political Parties are a vital link between people and their government Presents opinions to the people and informs them of gov. actions They are how the will of the people is made known to the gov. and how the gov. is held accountable for answering to the will of the people They help get people to office so they can change the gov. and they also help get people out of office who are not doing their job The major function of political parties includes… Nominating candidates Selecting candidates Presenting them to voters Helping the candidates win elections Parties are the best device for finding candidates and gathering support for them

Major Function, Cont. Parties also inform and inspire voters…they do this many ways Campaign, take stand of issues, criticize opponents of their position Each party tries to inform people as to how they want them to be informed Give voters the information they want them to have Present their candidates in the best light possible Use pamphlets, bumper stickers, signs, advertisements, speeches, rallies, etc. to gather support and inspire people to vote Ultimate goal of both parties Win election, so they won’t be too radical with the stands they take Don’t want to alienate voters

“Bonding Agent” Insure that people they nominate are of good character and are qualified Makes sure that while in office that person upholds party ideals Important because if that person doesn’t then that party risks not winning future elections Much governing in US is conducted according to party lines Based what they do on party organization and ideals Partisanship - strong support of party and policy stands Most political appointments to office are based on party ideology

Constitutional Change Parties have played a role in constitutional change Parties have developed the way that we nominate a president This was not mentioned in the Constitution They have also reshaped the complicated election process and made it easier

Watchdog Parties in the role of “watchdog” Watch over public business The party out of power especially does this Watch what the party in power does (the party that controls the executive branch) and criticizes it Do this to point out to people and encourage them to get rid of that party in next election Important role because this keeps the party in power on its toes They don’t want to mess up and give the party out of anything to criticize

Rick Perry Herman Cain VS President Barak Obama

Two-Party System History Beginnings of American 2-Party system traced to the battle for ratification of constitution Federalist Party = first to appear Formed around Alexander Hamilton Supported Constitution Wanted stronger national government Liberal (loose) interpretation of Constitution stretch it as need be Jeffersonians (Anti-Feds) led by Thomas Jefferson Wanted very limited role of gov. Congress should dominate gov. Favored “common man” Strict interpretation Constitution

LIMITED ROLE OF NATIONAL GOV FEDERALISTS JEFFERSONIANS ALEXANDER HAMILITON THOMAS JEFFERSON STRONG NATIONAL GOV. LIMITED ROLE OF NATIONAL GOV EXECUTIVE DOMINATE CONGRESS DOMINATE RICH, WELL-BORN “COMMON MAN” LIBERAL CONSTITUTION STRICT CONSTITUTION

Jefferson’s party Jefferson resigned from Washington’s cabinet to focus on building party Eventually became known as Democratic-Republican Party Jefferson won next election Defeated incumbent (current officeholder) John Adams American Party System = 4 major periods First 3, one major party dominated 4th era, today – divided gov.

Minor parties in the U.S. Large number Some only in certain states or regions Others all over country Most are short-lived, some have been around Most focus on one ideal, others are more broad

4 Types of Minor parties 1) Ideological party – based on particular set of beliefs Based on views regarding social, economic, political matters Most built on Marxism (Socialist, Socialist Labor, Communists) Libertarian – emphasizes individual, do away with most gov. functions and programs 2) Single-issue Party – focus on one public policy matter Name associated with issue = Prohibition Most fade away

4 Types of Minor parties, Cont. 3) Economic Protest Party – tend to form in periods of economic problems No clear-cut political ideology, usually angry at present situation Populist Party – demanded public ownership of Railroad, telephone They proclaim disgust at major parties Focus anger on monetary system 4) Splinter Parties – have split from major parties Usually form around strong person Usually someone who has failed to win the major party’s presidential nomination Usually collapse when leader steps aside Examples Theodore Roosevelt “Bull Moose Party” George Wallace “American Independent Party” – he rejoined the Dem. Party once he performed well in 1968 election Ralph Nadar “Green Party”

Why Minor parties important A minor party was first to use national convention to nominate president candidates Others followed them Many times a 3rd party (minor) in election plays role of “spoiler” It pulls votes away from one of the major parties Green in 2000 Not afraid to take controversial stands on issues, bring many important points to light women’s suffrage

Party organization We think of the two major parties as strong and very organized, but the opposite is true they aren’t that closely tied together and are very decentralized Do not have a chain of command to run them, coming from the national level down to state level Each state has its own organization, even broken down into local organizations Most of these act independently of one another

Role of the Presidency President’s party is usually more united and better organized than the opposing party President automatically becomes the party leader Simply because he is the president Uses this power by making appointments to federal office He chooses members of his party to put in office Other parties have no one even close to that much power They usually don’t have one person to lead the party A number of people usually compete with one another for that position

Role of nominating process The central role of political parties Candidate selection happens within the party They don’t choose an outsider Many times it divides the party, puts Democrat against Democrat, etc. This is a reason parties are decentralized

National Party 4 elements that make up political parties on a national level National Convention National voice of the party Meet in summer of election year to nominate party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates Also adopt the party’s platform (what it will stand for) National Committee Between conventions they handle party business Led by a national chairperson Republican National Committee (RNC) and the democratic National Committee (DNC) Both have a national chairperson and committee members from each state Appears to have power because it contains leading members of the party, but really all it does is plan for the next convention

National party, cont National Chairperson Chosen by the national committee to a 4-yr term Choice is made by the presidential candidate just nominated at the convention Works to strengthen the party, promote party unity, raise $, recruit new voters Congressional Campaign Committees In each house of Congress Work to re-elect incumbents and make sure seats that are given up by retiring Congress members stay within their party Michael Steel Tim Kaine

State organization of political parties Built around the state central committee Headed by state chairperson Could be governor, U.S. Senator, other important figure within party Work on finding candidates and campaign funds

Local organization There are party units in each part of the state that hold elected offices cities, counties, districts, etc. Ward - (we call it a district) unit in which the city is divided for the election of its city council members Precinct - where you go to cast your vote polling place