1. Chapter 12 Political Parties Pearson Education, Inc. © 2008 American Government: Continuity and Change 9th Edition to accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions O’Connor and Sabato

2. Overriding Questions 1.How has the decline of political parties influenced elections and campaigning? 2.How do political parties positively influence campaigns and elections and how do they negatively influence campaigns and elections? 3.How have campaigns changed over time? How have they stayed the same? 4.How has money influenced elections and campaigns in a positive and negative manner?

3. What Is A Political Party?  Political Party An organized effort by office holders, candidates, activists, and voters who to pursue their common interests by gaining and exercising power through the political process  Consist of three separate but related entities: Governmental party – party members in government Organizational party – people that work for the party Party in the electorate – registered voters that are members of the party

6. The Functions of American Parties  Mobilizing support and gathering power Coalition: a group made up of interests or organizations that join forces for the purpose of electing public officials  Force for stability and moderation  Unity, linkage, and accountability  Electioneering function  Party as a voting and issue cue  Policy formation and promotion National party platform

8. Chapter 12 Political Parties The Evolution of Political Parties Pearson Education, Inc. © 2008 American Government: Continuity and Change 9th Edition to accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions O’Connor and Sabato

9. The Transformation of the Party Organization  Both major parties have adapted to new challenges: addition of new technology and communication strategies  Both have similar objectives  But they are different as well. Republicans more organized, stronger fund- raising machine Democrats trying to catch up Role of direct mail; internet, activists

11. Crashing the Party: Minor Parties  Proportional representation A voting system that apportions legislative seats according to the percentage of the vote won by a particular political party  Single-Member, Plurality system or Winner- take-all system An electoral system in which the party receives at least one more vote than any other party wins the election  Minor parties have had an important impact at times. Most successful with distrust of major parties Most important contribution has been their ideas – Abolitionists, Greenbacks, Voting, Environment, etc.

12. Group Affiliations  Geographic Region South still has Democratic Party affinity at local election level.  Gender Gender gap  Race and Ethnicity African Americans Hispanics  Age Very young and very old 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

13. Political Parties are Weakening  Post FDR, social services were now for all citizens, not party members  Immigration decreased, less recruiting for parties  Primaries not conventions selected candidates  Civil Service laws, less corruption  Issue Centered Politics  Candidate Centered Politics  Development of Suburbs  Population growth

14. Is the Party Over or Has it Just Begun?  Parties’ decline can easily be exaggerated Why? 1.Usually have been reliable vehicles for mass participation 2.Both major parties have demonstrated flexibility and pragmatism, which has helped ensure their survival and the success of the society they serve. 3.Have continued to provide competition for each other and the voters at the national level 4.Party in government and the party organizations are stronger than ever, regardless of the fluctuations found in party in the electorate