Political Parties

What Is A Political Party?  A group of office holders, candidates, activists, and voters who identify with a group label and seek to elect to public office individuals who run under that label.  Consist of three separate but related entities: Party in government (elected officials) Party as an organization Party in the electorate (voters)

The Meaning of Party  Functions of the Parties Mobilize support Pick Candidates and run Campaigns Articulate Policies (Platform) Coordinate Policymaking

What are the differences between Republicans and Democrats today?

The Economy and Taxes Democrats  Are generally in favor of large government and a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor  Tend to be against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions  Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed  Tend to make laws to protect American businesses from international competition Republicans  Are generally in favor of a smaller government  Generally for free market agreements with other countries, like NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement.  Vehemently against raising taxes even if it means a budget deficit  Tend to believe in global trade and don’t tend to protect US businesses from international competition

National Defense and Security Democrats  Tend to cut the military budget  Generally want to avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations  Tend to believe in diplomacy and are slow to go to war Republicans  Believe in a strong military and are willing to pay for it with government money  Believe in confronting American enemies with or without UN support  Believe in using military intervention when American interests or security is threatened more quickly than Democrats

Entitlements: Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care Democrats  Generally think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others.  They generally think these policies help the common good and are compassionate Republicans  Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor.  They believe that private businesses and non-profit charities can provide the same services

Crime and Punishment Democrats  Tend to focus on rehabilitation programs over long prison sentences for convicted criminals  Usually against the death penalty  Focus on rights of the accused Republicans  Tend to focus on prison sentences as a deterrent to crime  Usually for the death penalty  Usually for stiffer penalties for convicted criminals

Environmental Protection Democrats  Favor stricter regulations on businesses to protect the environment  Believe global warming is a real threat Republicans  Favor fewer restrictions on businesses in the hopes that wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental  Many do not believe global warming is a real threat

Abortion and Stem Cell Research Democrats  Tend to be pro- choice- believe that a woman should always have the right to choose to have an abortion  Tend to favor stem-cell research Republicans  Tend to be pro-life- do not believe that women have a right to have an abortion and instead call abortion a form of murder  Tend to be against stem-cell research

Energy Policy Democrats  Focus on researching alternative energy sources for the future Republicans  Focus on securing existing energy sources for the present and future

Values: Same Sex Marriage and Civil Rights Laws  Democrats  Tend to support the right for same-sex couples to marry  Republicans  Tend to oppose the right for same-sex couples to marry

Education  Democrats  Oppose using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)  Republicans  Favor using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

Immigration Democrats  Favor looser immigration laws  Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country Republicans  Favor stricter immigration laws  Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

Evolution of American Parties  1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government Divided government: one party controls Congress and the other controls White House

Political Party Organization in America

Party in the Electorate  Party Identification: A citizen’s personal affinity for a political party. Usually expressed by his or her tendency to vote for the candidates of that party. Sources  Parents  Marriage and other aspects of adult life can change one’s party loyalty.  Charismatic political personalities, cataclysmic events, and maybe intense social issues  Social class is NOT an especially strong indicator of partisan choice.

Group Affiliations  Geographic Region South still has Democratic Party affinity at local election level.  Gender Gender gap  Race and Ethnicity African Americans Hispanics  Age Young people once again becoming more Democratic  Social and Economic Factors Republicans have higher SES (occupation, income, and education) supporters.  Religion Protestants favor Republicans; Catholics and Jews are predominantly Democratic.  Marital Status Married people lean more towards Republicans.  Ideology Few surprises

Crashing the Party! Minor Parties  Third parties: electoral contenders other than the two party parties; rarely win elections  Third parties are important. Are “safety valves” for popular discontent Bring new groups and ideas into politics  Two-party system Discourages extreme views Contributes to political ambiguity

Party: Crashed! (2000) In the 2000 presidential election in Florida, George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by 537 votes. Nader received 97,421 votes.

Why do Minor Parties remain minor?  Most states allow D & R automatic place on the ballot; third parties have to petition  Public funding of campaigns is more generous for two major parties  Media ignores them; labels them as “non- winners”  Other countries use “proportional representation” and have more parties represented

Andrew Jackson used a donkey to symbolize his working class roots and ever since the Democrats have been known as the part of the donkey.

Republicans came to be associated with elephants due to the political cartoons of Thomas Nast in 1874.