Chapter 5 Political Parties f3QQ7-A

What Is a Party? A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office.A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties.The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties. Parties can be principle-oriented, issue- oriented, or election-oriented.Parties can be principle-oriented, issue- oriented, or election-oriented. Major parties are election-oriented. Major parties are election-oriented. Minor Parties are principle and issue oriented Minor Parties are principle and issue oriented

Major Functions of Political Parties 1. Nominate Candidates—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. 2. Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates. 3. Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office. 4. Govern—Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party. 5. Act as a Watchdog—Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election.

Why a Two-Party System? Why a Two-Party System? ► The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists. First election w/ pp was ► The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. ► The Electoral System. Certain features are designed to favor two major parties.

Multiparty Systems Advantages ► Provides broader representation of the people. ► More responsive to the will of the people. ► Give voters more choices at the polls. Disadvantages ► Cause parties to form coalitions, which can dissolve easily. ► Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government.

American Politicians on the Spectrum ► Here is how one website places important American political figures on the spectrum. You can take the quiz at

Party Membership Patterns Factors that can influence party membership: FamilyReligion Economic Status Occupation Major Events Age

Minor Parties in the United States Minor Parties Ideological Parties Ex: Libertarian Party Single-Issue Party Ex: Free Soil Party Economic Protest Parties Ex: Greenback Party Splinter Party Ex: Bull Moose Party

Minor Parties in the United States

Minor Parties ► Minor party- one of many political parties without wide voter support  Largest in US   Libertarian Party - Libertarianism, laissez-faire, pro-civil rights, anti-war Libertarian PartyLibertarianismlaissez-fairepro-civil rightsanti-war   Green Party of the United States - Green politics, eco-socialism, progressivism Green Party of the United StatesGreen politicseco-socialism progressivism   Constitution Party - Social conservatism, religious right, paleo conservatism Constitution PartySocial conservatismreligious rightpaleo conservatism

Ideological Parties ► Based on a particular set of beliefs surrounding a social, economic, or political matter. Socialistic in nature ► Ex: Socialist Party, Communist Party ► Ex: Libertarian party ► do away with present government functions/programs

Single Issue Parties ► Focus on one public policy matter ► Ex: Right to Life Party-against abortion ► Short lived-fail to attract supporters or major parties adopt their issue

Economic protest parties ► Disenfranchised with the major parties: ► demand better times ► focus on economic powers such as industrialists, foreign markets, Wall Street ► Ex: Populist Party ► Die out when economy gets better

Splinter parties ► Break away from a major party ► Form around a strong personality, often the person who did not get a major party nomination ► Die when the person rejoins major party or gets out of politics ► Ex: Teddy Roosevelt “Bull Moose” Party

Why Minor Parties Are Important “Spoiler Role” ► Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates (allows other candidate to get voted in) Critic and Innovator ► Minor parties often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer to ignore. (makes them take a stand)

The Decentralized Nature of the Parties Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented. Why? ► The party out of power lacks a strong leader. ► The federal system distributes powers widely, in turn causing the parties to be decentralized. ► The nominating process pits party members against one another because only one person can chosen to be the party’s presidential candidate.

The Three Components of the Party The Party in the Electorate Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates. The Party Organization: Those who run and control the party machinery. Party Components The Party in Government Those who hold office in the government.

The Future of Major Parties ► Weakened connections to political parties: For voters : ► More people are unwilling to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Republicans” ► Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election

The Future of Major Parties For candidates: ► increased conflict and disorganization within parties ► Changes in the technology of campaigning have made candidates more independent of the party organization