Our Two-Party System History and Functions

 Identify the purpose of Political Parties  Explain the origins of the 2-Party System in the US  Explain the organization of political parties  Identify the various types of 3 rd Parties  Explain realignment/dealig nment

 Definition ◦ Group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label by which they are known to the electorate. (AKA Party Identification)  Parties are present in 3 Arenas ◦ Label ◦ Organization(recruit, campaign) ◦ Leadership/Control of Government ◦ *** Parties have lost power in all three arenas

 Federalism decentralizes power..how?  National parties used to be a coalition of local parties.  Now Parties organize at all levels  ****All politics are local********  Candidates are chosen through primaries not by party leaders

 Disliked by Washington/  Needed by others to distinguish between policy disputes and challenges to a legitimate gov’t  EX Jefferson and Alien Sedition Acts  Jefferson vs. Hamilton/Adams  Caucuses of political nobles  Philosophical clubs/not mass associations  Early domination by Democratic/Republi cans

 Parties were formed as coalitions for victory not homogeneous groups. Today?  1820’s mass participation begins  1832 – presidential electors are chosen by popular vote in most states  1836 Democrats Hold first National Convention to Nominate their Presidential Candidate.  Civil War to Great Depression  Politics based on Sectionalism  Factions emerge (Progressives)

 Progressives worked to curb the power of political machines  Favored primaries  Voter registration requirements become strict  Civil Service Exam  Intro of referendums/initiativ es.  17 th Amendment  Effects ◦ Eliminated the worst forms of political corruption ◦ Weakened Parties ◦ How? ◦ Office Holders Accountable to people not parties as much

 Both parties are similar on paper  National Convention and Formal Power ◦ Meets every 4 years to nominate presidential candidates ◦ Composed of Delegates from states  Congressional Campaign Committees support the party’s candidates  National Party Chair manages day to day work of the Party  

 RNC  More bureaucratic  Discipline  Well-financed party  Especially in Congressional Elections  Computer Fundraising / Data Bases  DNC  Factionalized  Redistribution of power  McGovern Reforms ◦ Women ◦ Youth ◦ Minorities

 National committee sets the time and place  # of delegates per states (GOP loyalty, Dems size)  GOP gives more delegate to the South and Southwest  Democrats give more delegates to the West and Northeast.  The Party in Power (executive branch) goes last.  Post Convention bump

 Any party other than the two major parties can be called a “Third party.”  No third party has ever gained control of the White House. Sometimes, third parties win seats in Congress or gain office in lower levels of government.  When these smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections.  Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues. Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000

 An ideology is a body of ideas put forth by a person or group.  Minor third parties are often formed to support a specific issue. These rise and fall over time.  Ideological parties want to change society in major ways.  The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Green Party calls for companies to respect the environment.

 Some third parties form from the efforts of famous people.  If they cannot gain support from one of the major parties, they form their own.  H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party was a force in the 1992 and 1996 elections. This party also placed pro wrestler Jesse Ventura in the governor’s mansion in Minnesota.  These parties usually fade after their candidate is defeated.

 It is difficult for third parties candidates to raise enough money to compete with the major parties.  Only one candidate can win in a given district. Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican.  Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures to even be placed on the ballot for national office.

 A platform is a statement that puts forth the party's positions on issues. Each individual issue is called a plank.  Both parties want votes. As a result, parties become more moderate in their platforms, moving away from extreme positions.  The American people generally agree about many issues. This unity forces the two parties toward the center of the political spectrum.

 Ideological  Solidary groups  Sponsored Parties  Personal Following-name recognition ◦ Kennedys/Bushs

 Rare today  Why in America?  1) Electoral System/winner take all and plurality system  2) Moderate opinions  3) Election Laws

 What is it?  When major shifts in the population SWITCH parties  Examples?  Jackson Era  Civil War (Sectionalism)  New Deal  Post Civil Rights Era

 What is it?  Why?  Voters are moving away from both parties/call themselves Independent  Benefits of party membership?