Political Parties Chapter 16

What is a political party? a group of activists who organize to win elections, to operate the government and to determine public policy

Functions of Political Parties in the U.S. Recruiting candidates for public officeRecruiting candidates for public office Organizing and running electionsOrganizing and running elections Presenting alternative policies to the electoratePresenting alternative policies to the electorate Accepting responsibility for operating the gov’tAccepting responsibility for operating the gov’t Acting as the organized opposition to the party in powerActing as the organized opposition to the party in power

Parties in U.S. History saw the creation of parties saw the creation of parties. The Federalists favored the adoption of Constitution - Anti-Federalists opposed it saw elections centered on individual candidates rather than parties and was the era of personal politics saw elections centered on individual candidates rather than parties and was the era of personal politics Jackson’s Presidency to the Civil War saw the birth and death of the Whig Party Jackson’s Presidency to the Civil War saw the birth and death of the Whig Party.

the creation of the heavily Democratic South and the heavily Republican North or the post Civil War period the creation of the heavily Democratic South and the heavily Republican North or the post Civil War period saw the development of the Progressive Party, which ran Theodore Roosevelt for Pres in saw the development of the Progressive Party, which ran Theodore Roosevelt for Pres in The modern era 1932 to the present. FDR’s New Deal created today’s political landscape.The modern era 1932 to the present. FDR’s New Deal created today’s political landscape.

Party Organization 1) At the National Convention, the national party organization selects the national committee and the national chair person to direct the party during the four year period between conventions.1) At the National Convention, the national party organization selects the national committee and the national chair person to direct the party during the four year period between conventions. –(Howard Dean- Dems.) 2) The state party organization consists of a state committee, chairperson, and a number of local organizations.2) The state party organization consists of a state committee, chairperson, and a number of local organizations. 3) The lowest level of organization, the grassroots level, is composed of county and district party officials, precinct chairs, and party workers.3) The lowest level of organization, the grassroots level, is composed of county and district party officials, precinct chairs, and party workers.

Why Do We Have a Two-Party System? historical foundations of the systemhistorical foundations of the system –sectional politics –class politics commonality of views among Americanscommonality of views among Americans the winner-take all electoral systemthe winner-take all electoral system state and federal laws favoring the two party system – harder for 3 rd parties to get on ballotstate and federal laws favoring the two party system – harder for 3 rd parties to get on ballot

Minor Parties in the U.S. most successful minor parties have been splinter parties, parties that broke from a major partymost successful minor parties have been splinter parties, parties that broke from a major party –Examples Bull Moose Progressives (from the Reps)Bull Moose Progressives (from the Reps) Dixiecrats (States Rights) Party (from the Dems) Dixiecrats (States Rights) Party (from the Dems) often, minor parties’ platforms are adopted by major partiesoften, minor parties’ platforms are adopted by major parties sometimes minor party candidates can have an impact on the outcome of an election - Nadersometimes minor party candidates can have an impact on the outcome of an election - Nader