CH. 5-2 THE TWO-PARY SYSTEM American Government

WHY A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM? Do you know Earl Dodge? December 24, 1932 – November 7, 2007 He has run for President of the USA 6 times Member of the Prohibition Party 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 He was a vice presidential candidate 1976, 1980 The main reason he wasn’t successful was that he belonged to a MINOR PARTY. He didn’t have wide-spread support

In some states and communities one of the major parties might be overwhelmingly dominant The two-party system has survived throughout most of our history THE HISTORICAL BASIS Framers were opposed to political parties First parties: Federalist & Anti-Federalists Framers wanted a united country Parties was divisive No mention of parties in the Constitution

THE FORCE OF TRADITION Human institutions tend to be self-perpetuating Americans accept the two-party system because that is the way it has always been THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM SINGLE-MEMBER DISTICTS-Contests where it is winner-take-all and only 1 person serves Person is elected if they receive a PLURALITY of the votes cast

Single-member districts discourage minor parties Voters usually face only 2 viable options in a race Party holding office vs. Party wanting to hold office Most people think that voting for a minor party would be wasting their vote BIPARTISAN—Two major parties find common ground and work together

Major parties deliberately shape election law to preserve their strength and frustrate minor parties. Example—In 2004, George Bush and John Kerry were on the ballot in all 50 states and D.C. No other candidates were on all ballots. Examples-Minor party candidates on all state ballots 1912-Eugene V. Debs (Socialist); 1916-Allan L. Benson (Socialist); 1980-Ed Clark (Libertarian) & John Anderson (Ind.); 1988-Lenora Fulani (New Alliance); 1992-Andre Marrou (Libertarian) & Ross Perot (Ind.); 1996-Harry Browne (Libertarian) & Ross Perot (Reform)

THE AMERICAN IDEOLOGICAL CONSENSUS Americans tend to be ideologically homogeneous Same ideas, beliefs, basic principles, patterns of belief PLURALISTIC SOCIETY—one consisting of several distinct cultures and groups. CONSENSUS—a general agreement among various groups Americans can be quite divided on issues: Civil War, Great Depression, racial discrimination, war in Vietnam, and abortion

MULTI-PARTY SYSTEMS MULTIPARTY—a system which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win, public offices Parties tend to be based on economic class, religious belief, sectional attachment, political ideology Multi-party systems tend to produce a broader, more diverse representation of the electorate Diverse representation could lead to instability in the government COALITION—temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and control the government

ONE-PARTY SYSTEMS Mainly found in dictatorships One-party system is really “no party system” Examples: Communist Party-Soviet Union and China; Nazi Party-Germany; Fascist Party-Italy

PARTY MEMBERSHIP PATTERNS Membership in a party is voluntary Major parties are broadly based to get as many votes as possible Members of a certain part of the electorate tend to be aligned more solidly with one party or the other. Democrats—African Americans, Catholics, Jews, Union members Republicans—white males, Protestants, and the business community Studies show that 2/3 of Americans follow the party allegiance of their parents

Political Party Contacts (table p. 124) Major historical events have a decided influence on party affilitation The Civil War and the Great Depression most significant Higher income groups tend to be Republican Lower income groups tend to be Democats Other factors—age, place of residence, level of education, work environment The End