Political Parties Unit 4: The Electoral Process

Structure and Organization Future

American Political Parties

Political Parties A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label by which they are known by the electorate. PRIMARY GOAL

Party as a Label Label Political parties exist as a label (or brand) in the eyes of the voters. That label allows voters who might not be familiar with individual candidates to have a general idea of their values

Party as Organizer Organizer Parties seek to recruit potential candidates and to help campaign on their behalf for political office by raising money or issue education.

Party in Government Government Once elected party members work together to organize and control the branches of government they are in so they can achieve their policy goals.

Weakening of Parties In all three areas Political Parties are weaker… … As a label More independent voters and more split-ticket voting (Voting for candidates of different parties) … As organizations Been less effective in recruitment and mobilization of voters since the 1960s (more elections focused on candidate, not party) … As a set of leaders Weakened the least, but not as disciplined as once due to rule changes (Although changing, especially in the House)

European vs. U.S. Parties Europe Disciplined Gatekeepers Loyal Voters Unitary System Unregulated by Government Party leaders choose candidates Parliamentary System United States Not as disciplined Voters shift alliances (Pluralism) Federal System Regulated by Government Primary Elections President elected separately from Congress

Why a Two Party System? The Constitution is quiet on the issue of political parties. (1 st Amendment grants freedom of assembly so their existence is protected, but no other references to them) Although we have multiple parties, we still are a two party system because only the two major parties have realistic chances of winning elections on a national level Parties are balanced nationally but not locally (Democratic vs. Republican Districts, Red vs. Blue States)

Why a Two Party System? Election and Ballot Access Laws State legislatures devise ballot access laws State legislatures are dominated by the major parties State legislatures make it difficult for minor parties to challenge the major party monopoly Neither major party is ideologically rigid Both Democratic and Republican parties can shift platform to accommodate new social movements Difficult for minor parties to find any room to maneuver between the 2 major parties

Why a Two Party System? Winner Take All (WTA) vs. Proportional Representation (PR) In PR systems, seats in the legislature are allocated to parties based on the percentage of vote they receive in the election for example, if a party receives 15% of the votes, it would get roughly 15% of the seats in the legislature In PR, parties do not need to “win” an election in order to have representation in the legislature Seems to encourage multiple parties since even small parties can influence legislative process and bring some measure of “success” to its membership base. Difficult for a party to capture a majority of the seats, so “coalition” government must be formed which smaller parties can play a role in.

Why A Two Party System? Winner Take All (WTA) vs. Proportional Representation (PR) In WTA, seats are allocated according to single member districts Parties must “win” the election in order to win a seat Undermines minor parties since they have little to show supporters after the election Tradition Both major American parties have deep roots in American political culture

Evolution of Political Parties Central Theme: Decentralization Over time Parties have become less powerful Founding Period Originally a loose caucuses of political notables. Aligned along Hamilton (Federalist) and Jefferson (Democratic-Republicans). Jefferson’s Party eventually dominates. Jacksonian Period Political participation became a mass phenomenon and reacted to the support of leaders to Adams over Jackson. Party during this period was built from bottom up rather than top down.

Evolution of Political Parties Civil War and Sectionalism Party system was unable to survive and sectionalism. The Republican Party emerges as an Anti-Slave Party and becomes dominant. Democrats became sectionalized. Led to states being dominated by one party and factions Era of Reform Began in 1900 but picked up steam since the New Deal Primary Elections replace nominating conventions Nonpartisan elections at city levels Stricter voter registration requirements to reduce fraud Civil service reform to eliminate patronage Initiative and Referendum process in states.

Critical Elections A change in the dominant political party of the era 1800: Democratic-Republicans defeat Federalists 1828: Jacksonian Democrats come into power 1860: Whig party collapses, Republicans emerge 1896: Republicans defeat William Jennings Bryant 1932: Democrats come into office under FDR

Party Realignment Voting patterns shift and new coalitions of party supporters have formed. Sometimes occurs along with elections (Realigning elections) 1860: Republican Party coalition (Anti-Slavery and Commercial Interests) 1932: FDR’s New Deal coalition (African-Americans, Immigrants, Urban Workers, Jews, Catholics, and Women) 1968: Nixon’s Southern Strategy (White Male Southerners)

The Last Half Century Major shifts in party demographics have occurred in recent decades. Since 1953, divided government, with one party controlling Congress and the other the White House, has been in effect twice as long as united government. Elections during the past few decades have seen power change hands numerous times without any long-term shifts in the population in party allegiance. Federalist Anti-Federalist; Democrats Republicans Dem DR R DDRRD The Last Half Century in Parties

Historical Trends Previously there have been realignments every years in the United States. Which means we should have had one around Have we? Proposed “Re-alignments” 1968: Southern Re-Alignment Although influential has been more prominent locally than nationally 1980: Republican Dominance? Jumped the gun on that one 1970s: “De-Alignment” Prevailing thought. American voters are more independent than before. Parties are just generally weaker and cannot dominate for long periods of time nationally.

Third or Minor Parties Types of Third Parties Ideological: Based on a particular set of social, political, or economic beliefs (communist, socialist, libertarian) Splinter/Factional: Split away from a major party; usually formed around a strong personality who does not win the party nomination (“Bull Mosse” Progressives, States’ Rights Party) Single Issue: Parties that concentrate on a single public policy matter (Free Soil, Prohibition) Protest: Rooted in periods of economic discontent; often regional (Greenback, Populist)

Barriers to Minor-Party Success Tradition Consensus History Why Don’t Third Parties Succeed?

Impact of Minor Parties Contribute New Ideas to System (Major parties co-opt popular ones) Voice for the Fringe Enhanced Participation Protest Vote Pushes Major Parties to go after underrepresented voters

Party Structure Today National Convention Meets every four years to nominate the presidential candidate and adopt the party platform National Committee Composed of delegates from states; manages affairs between conventions Congressional Campaign Committees Seek to support the party’s congressional candidates through fund distribution and other aid. National Chairperson The National Committee, along with the party’s presidential nominee elects the Chair. Responsible for directing the National Committee, fundraising, recruitment, unity, and helping elect the nominee State and Local Organizations Differs by state law. Structured similarly to the national party organization. Generally they are better organized and funded than in the past. Receives “soft money” from the National Party that does not have to be reported, so has become dependent on national party. Some of that money has been restricted since 2002.

The Future of Political Parties Parties are clearly in decline in terms of influencing voters and strength Third-Party Challenges: Recent elections (92, 96, 2000) third party challengers have taken enough votes from major candidates. Rise of the Independent Voter Split-Ticket Voting: Many voters no longer vote a straight ticket (only one party) but split up their votes among the parties Lack of perceived differences: Many voters believe there are NO major differences between the parties Party Reforms/Challenges: Changes within the parties to create more openness and diversity have created conflict (Teaparty movement?) Methods of Campaigning: New technology have allowed candidates to become more independent and have direct connection to voters without the party assisting.