Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Lecture 6: Political Parties Dynamics of Democracy, Ch. 9
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, What Is a Political Party? A political party is a coalition of people seeking to control the government by contesting elections and winning office. The core of a political party's purpose, and the basis on which most scholars define parties, is their role as electoral organizations. In the US, parties are usually NOT ideological Since 1980, Republicans have become more conservative and Democrats more liberal.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Parties link people and governments by providing: Political Parties Organization Information Party ID as heuristic: guide to policy preferences of candidates even if voters lack detailed information
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Functions of Parties Recruit candidates Nominate candidates Mobilize voters Contest elections Form governments Coordinate policy across independent units of government Provide accountability Build legislative majorities
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Three Levels of Parties in US Party in the electorate: party identifiers (not members) Party organization: national and state chairs, convention delegates, precinct captains Party in the legislature: Speaker, Majority and Minority Leaders, whips, campaign committees The three levels may NOT be coordinated or consistent in policy views. Convention delegates are much more ideological than voters.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Direct Primary Closed Primary Open Primary Blanket Primary Methods of Nominating Candidates: Varies by State
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 An election in which voters and not party leaders directly choose a party's nominees for political office. Direct Primary
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 A direct primary in which voters may choose which party primary they will vote in on Election Day Open Primary
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 A direct primary in which voters must register their party affiliations before Election Day. Preferred by parties to prevent strategic voting. Closed Primary
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Strategic Voting Vote to influence election outcome May vote AGAINST personal preference or ideology Examples: 1. Republicans vote in Democratic primary to select the weaker candidate, so that the Republican candidate will have a better chance in the regular election. 2. Member of Congress votes FOR a bill s/he opposes, to be eligible to serve on the Conference Committee and change the bill there.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 A direct primary in which voters may cast ballots for candidates of any party, but may only vote once for each office. Gives parties minimal control over candidates. Blanket Primary
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Spatial Model of Elections
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Ethics vs. Strategic Voting Dilemmas 1. Candidates should run on their deeply-held personal beliefs and values regardless of what voters think. 2. Candidates should change their policy positions in order to attract votes. 3. Once elected, should officials follow their campaign promises, or their true values?
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Third-Party Challenge
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Single Member Plurality Electoral System A system in which each district elects a single member as its representative; the winner in each district is the candidate who receives a plurality of the vote.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Proportional Representation System A system in which legislators are elected at large and each party wins legislative seats in proportion to the number of votes it receives.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Voting in the Electoral College In most states, the plurality winner gets ALL the electoral votes: Winner-Take All rule. Maximizes state influence in the campaign and Electoral College. In Maine and Nebraska, electoral votes are awarded in proportion to the popular vote. Better representation of voter preferences.
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, a First Party System 1796–1824 Federalists Led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams Sought a strong central government Democrat- Republicans Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Sought a weak federal government
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, b Second Party System 1828–1856 Democrats Led by Andrew Jackson Used party organization to mobilize voters Used new convention system Whigs Built a coalition of Northern Industrialists and rich Southerners Led by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay at times
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Most Democrats were from the South Fought many close elections with the Republicans Republicans Sought to give a clear anti-slavery choice Abraham Lincoln won the White House in c Third Party System 1860–1892 Democrats
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Cleveland in office during 1893 depression William Jennings Bryan, running on populist platform was nominee Blamed Democrats for economic problems Nominated McKinley Roosevelt ran as a progressive Republican Dominated the White House during this time 9-3d Fourth Party System 1896–1928 DemocratsRepublicans
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Roosevelt launches New Deal Southerners remained loyal Upper and middle class moved towards Republicans Made election inroads during the 1960s DemocratsRepublicans 9-3e Fifth Party System 1932–1980s
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Republican Realignment? Growing strength of Republicans in the South Strong majority for Ronald Reagan in 1980 More younger voters identify as Republicans Republican take-over of both houses of Congress in 1994 Republican president elected in 2000 (?) and 2004 Strong party voting by Republicans in Congress
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Signs of Party Dealignment?
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Party Organization Hierarchy
Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2006 Why are third parties so weak in the US? 1.Electoral College and winner-take-all rules 2.No proportional representation 3.Major parties make it difficult for 3 rd parties to qualify for state ballots 4.Can still influence election outcomes: Votes for Ralph Nader in 2000 gave Florida to Bush Major parties may adopt popular 3 rd party ideas