2. Linkage Institutions Interest Groups Political Parties Mass Media
There are the three “institutions” that link the people and the government.

3. Political Parties: The Purpose
An organizing mechanism that win elections and control government.
Organize the competition (within the party).

4. Political Parties Continued..
Unify the electorate to moderate conflicts: control of factions.
Organizes government by having party members in House and Senate, and through patronage.
Translate preferences into policy.

5. Other Party systems. Why is America’s party system different?
Not as strong.
Candidate centered, not party centered.
Do not always vote among parties, are not as loyal as other party systems.

6. Caucus
Meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide a platform.
Iowa is a very popular caucus due to timing. Oftentimes helps determine who are likely presidential nominees.

7. Party Convention
Party conventions made the nomination process more democratic and open to the public.
Party delegates voted on matters of policy and in some cases to select party candidates for public office.

8. Direct Primaries
The most democratic. Gave people the decisions of who would be the party nominee.

9. Open Primaries
Election where ANY voter may vote to choose a candidate.

10. Closed Primary
Primary election in which only persons registered in that particular party may vote for a candidate.

11. Examples
My website

12. Two party system Most other democracies have multi-party systems
“head of the nation “(president) and “head of the government” (PM)

13. Proportional Representation

14. Winner-take-all

15. Minor Parties Green Party Libertarian Party Socialist Party
Communist Party
Prohibition Party
Right to Life party

16. Ralph Nader: Green Party

17. Ross Perot: Reform Party

18. Political Parties Washington was “above” them and warned against them.
Hamilton: Federalists
Jefferson: Democratic-Republicans; eventually Democrats
Lincoln: Whigs to Republicans

19. Realigning Elections

20. Realigning Elections
Turning points in politics that redefines agendas and alignments of voters within parties

21. Realignments
Andrew Jackson: His movements eventually formed the strong two-party system known today. DEMOCRATS.

22. Abe Lincoln
Whigs to Republicans: Merchants, financiers, industrialists, workers and farmers.
Formed the “Grand Old Party “(GOP)
REPUBLICANS

23. 1896-PRGRESSIVES
Worked on corruption and expended the electorate. Immigrants and Women

24. FDR: New Deal
Depression
Laissez-faire questioned
Keynesian economics

25. 2000 elections: Divided nation, divided government

26. Continued 50-50 tie in the Senate
Bush wins without majority of popular vote
Slim GOP lead in the House

27. National Party Leadership
National Committee
National Chairs
Change with Presidents