Chapter 8 POLITICALPARTIES

Learning Outcomes 8.1 Define political party and list the functions performed by parties in democratic government 8.2 Outline the history of the U.S. political party system 8.3 Explain why two parties dominate the history of American politics Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 2

Learning Outcomes 8.4 Compare and contrast the Democratic and Republican parties on the basis of ideology and organization 8.5 Identify the principles of responsible party government and evaluate their role in majoritarian democracy 3 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

Political Parties and Their Functions  What is a Political Party?  Sponsors candidates for political office under the organization’s name (which distinguishes party from interest group)  Party Functions  Nominating candidates  Structuring the voting choice  Proposing alternative government programs  Coordinating the actions of government officials 4 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

A History of U.S. Party Politics  The Preparty Period  Constitution does not mention political parties  Federalist No. 10  Electoral College  The First Party System: Federalists and Democratic Republicans  The Second Party System: Democrats and Whigs  National conventions and party platforms 5 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

A History of U.S. Party Politics  The Current Party System: Democrats and Republicans  1860: first of four critical elections  Led to electoral realignment  Eras of Party Dominance Since the Civil War  Two-party system  Third parties more successful at state and local levels Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 6

A History of U.S. Party Politics  A Republican Majority: 1896 ‒ 1930  1896 election helped solidify republican majority  A democratic majority: 1932–1964  A rough balance: 1968 to the present Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 7 William Jennings Bryan

The American Two-Party System  Minor Parties in America  Bolter parties  Farmer-labor parties  Parties of ideological protest  Single-issue parties 8 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

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The American Two-Party System  Minor Parties in America  Long history of third parties in America  Function as safety valves Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 10

The American Two-Party System  Why a Two-Party System?  Electoral system and political socialization  Majority representation  Proportional representation 11 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

The American Two-Party System  Party Identification in America  Most identify with major parties  Proportion of Republicans and Democrats combined exceed that of Independents  Proportion of Democrats consistently exceeded Republicans but has shrunk over time  Proportion of Independents has nearly doubled  Self-identified Democrats and Republicans in electorate?  Income, education, religion, gender, ethnicity, region, and age influence identification 12 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

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Party Ideology and Organization  Differences in Party Ideology  Involved and uninvolved voters  Platforms: freedom, order and equality  National Party Organization  National convention  National committee  Congressional party conferences  Congressional campaign committees Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 14

Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 15 Figure 8.6 Ideologies of Party Voters and Party Delegates in 2012

Party Ideology and Organization  State and Local Party Organizations  Party machine  National parties supply funding, candidate training, poll data and research, etc.  Decentralized but Growing Stronger  American political parties are among the most decentralized in the world 16 Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning

The Model of Responsible Party Government  Four Principles of Responsible Party Government  Parties should present clear and coherent programs to voters  Voters should choose candidates on basis of party programs  Winning party should carry out its programs once in office  Voters should hold governing party responsible at next election for program execution Copyright 2014 Cengage Learning 17