Political Parties Chapter 5

Parties and What They Do “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” –Vince Lombardi “If you aren’t cheating, then you aren’t trying.” –Anonymous

What is a party? A group of people who seek to control government through winning elections and holding public office –Like minded –Similar goals –Joined together on common principle Want to bring about the adoption of public policy

2 Major Parties – “Big Tent” Republicans –Conservative –Closer ties to business –Personal Responsibility –Limited Government –2 schools of thought Western – limited gov’t Southern – moral issues Democrats –Liberal –Free Enterprise –Civil Liberties –Equal Rights / Opportunities –Big Government –Progressivism

Major Parties NOT issue oriented Election oriented –Each major party is a coalition –Many, many, many, many, different ideologies

What do parties do? Political parties serve as a vital link between citizens and government Modify and compromise opposing views Soften the impact of extremists

Nominating Function Brining forth their cream of the crop to run for office The one function that sets them apart

Informer-Stimulator Inform and stimulate votes “Educational” process Prove their side is right / Provide some doubt in the opposition

“Seal of Approval” Grants approval to candidates Tries to ensure good performance from its candidates

Governmental Function Government is organized on party lines Serve as channels of communication –Executive  Legislative –Legislative  Executive Informal amendments

Watchdog Function “Throw the rascals out” “The loyal opposition” Watchdogs of the opposing side Watchdogs of themselves

2 Party System Minor party – less widely supported (list in section 4) –Too idealistic? Not broad enough? The two major parties dominate American politics

Reasons The Historical Basis: –The framers were opposed to parties –The ratification of the Constitution saw the creation of parties –Unavoidable?

Force of Tradition Because there has always been one (TPS) –“In other words, America has a two-party system because America has a two-party system.”

Electoral System Winner take all elections The winning candidate has a plurality (more votes) Is a vote for a minor candidate a wasted one? Let’s find out!

Electoral System Considered lucky if you make it on a handful of the national ballots

Ideological Consensus Americans: same ideals, principles, patterns of belief (most) There is a general agreement on fundamental matters America is free of disagreements that plague other societies Is the political struggle one of personality or one of competing ideas? “Middle of the road”

Multiparty Systems Argument for: it’s a more representative sample –Voters would now have a “real choice” Majority may become a forgotten concept Coalition of power

One-Party Systems Dictatorships – only one party is allowed –No contrasting views Similar things have happened in America

Party Membership Parents affiliation Major events in history –Wars, depressions Higher income groups – GOP Lower income – Dems Other Factors: –Education, residence, work environment, etc.

Section 5: The Organization of Political Parties Both major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented

The Reality of Political Parties There is no chain of command in federalism –Local parties are more often independent

Role of the Presidency The President’s party is most often more organized –He is the leader of his party, asserts this in various ways No one of the other party is comparable to the President –A loose mix of personalities

The Impact of Federalism Half a million elected offices in U.S. Major parties are highly decentralized –Main goal is to win seats, be in control

The Role of the Nominating Process Candidate selection is an intraparty process This process can be highly divisive –Causes fragmentation

National Party Machinery 4 Elements drive the national party –National Convention –National Committee –National Chairperson –Congressional Campaign Committees

National Convention Meets in the Summer of every Presidential election year –Nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates –Also, party rules and writing of platform

National Committee Most of its work centers on the Convention Party’s affairs are handled by this committee between conventions

National Chairperson Head of national committee Work to strengthen the party in various ways: –Raise money –Promote unity –New voters –Prepare for next election

Congressional Campaign Committee Work to reelect incumbents Also take a hand to unseat incumbents of other parties Chosen by colleagues for 2 years

State and Local Machinery State: –Built around state central committee and its chair –Work to further the party within the state Unity, funds, find candidates –Fragmentation

State and Local Machinery Local: –Mostly inactive except for the months surrounding election time Ward – unit into which towns are divided for election of city council Precinct – voters that report to an individual polling place »Breakdown can be as small as city blocks –Many “insignificant” offices to be filled on local level

Three Elements of Party 1. Punch 2. Snacks 3. Music and Games

Three Elements of Party 1. The party organization 2. The party in the electorate 3. The party in government

Future of Major Parties Period of decline and split interest –Party identification –Split-ticket voting –Reforms (conflict and disorganization) –Technology of campaigning –Single issue organization growth The rise of PAC’s