Political Parties

Political Party Definition – a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding public office.

What Political Parties Do - Nominate candidates Inform the people and stimulate interest and participation Governmental responsibilities Watchdog function Provide a Label Organization of recruiting candidates

Two Party System – A Rarity Reasons Historical tradition Federalists and Antifederalists Comfort Level (we like it) Force of tradition Established and continues State laws made by the two party to keep others out Electoral College system Winner take all elections Advantages and disadvantages?

Two Party System Found in representative democracies Often moderate to gain votes Majority view – unity Stable Opposition power to be the “watchdog” Issues can overlap both parties U.S. – Democrats and Republicans Great Britain – Labour and Conservatives

Political Party Types Multiparty system Strong on Issues Absence of a unified majority Coalitions must be formed to pass legislation Unstable at times Hiltler and Mussolini gained power during troubled times One Party system Found in dictatorships Doesn’t represent the people’s views Can’t be replaced through the political process Use of propaganda and terror

Democrats and Republicans

Republicans Favor free enterprise over government in solving problems. Want to reduce the size of government Maintain the status quo Upper and middle class support Business oriented – deregulation Strong defense program State’s rights Low taxes

Democrats Seek changes Want to expand the size of government Favor government for solving problems Social programs over defense Support of lower income, labor unions, ethnic & racial minorities, women Middle and lower class support More control and regulation

Minor Parties – Spoilers or Issues Splinter Parties Bull Moose or Dixiecrats Single-Issue Parties Free Soil Party Economic Protest Parties Disgust with how the major parties are handling things Populist Ideological beliefs (most enduring) Socialists or Communists

Organization of Political Parties President’s also the Political Party leader No Chain of Command from National, State and Local level Each level tries to cooperate Federalism Highly Decentralized Fragmented, Factions Internal Squabbling More candidates than positions

What is the future of the Major Parties? Decreasing in power and influence Becoming more decisive in some areas and blurring the lines in others… Party identification decreasing Split ticket voting Change in methods in Campaigning Move away from caucuses to primaries Elections chose candidates not party leaders Political machine of the late 19 th and early 20 th century Single issue organizations PAC’s

National Party Machine National Chairperson 4 year term National Committee Raise Money National Convention Congressional Campaign Committee RNC moves to bureaucratic structure; a well-financed party devoted to electing its candidates DNC and RNC send money to state parties, to sidestep federal spending limits Democrats remain a collection of feuding factions Will Howard Dean make a difference?

The National Chairperson Head of the national committee. Directs the work of the party’s headquarters and its staff in Washington. Goals include: raising money, recruiting new voters, and preparing for the next presidential season.

National conventions National committee sets time and place; issues call setting number of delegates for each state Democrat formula rewards large states; and Republican rewards loyal states Conventions today only ratify choices made in primaries Adopts party rules. Write a platform for the candidate.

The Congressional Campaign Committees. These committees work to reelect incumbent office holders. These members are chosen by their colleagues.

State and Local Party Machinery How are states set up? Ward: unit in which cities are divided for the election of city council members Precinct: Divides up where people can vote.

Decline in Major Parties People will not identify themselves as Rep. Or Dem. Split-Ticket Voting Campaign finance laws leading to disorganization Technology in gaining voters Single issue organizations

Hierarchy National Level State Organization Local Ward Precinct

Types of Political Parties Personality Party Dynamic leader Party dissolves when the leader leaves or loses strength Ross Perot – Reform Party Principle Party Issue oriented- last longer than personality party What is right Right to life – flat tax Party of Power 2 party system – works in the system Compromises to get elected

Issues DemocratsIssueRepublicans Death Penalty Federal Health Care Rt to Bear Arms Abortion Voucher System Defense Spending Affirmative action