1. Political Parties

2. What Is a Political Party?
A group of political activists who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy.
How are parties different from interest groups?
Ralph E. Becker Collection /Smithsonian Institution
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3. Political Parties vs. Interest Groups
Run government
Select candidates
Multiple issues (party platform)
Interest Groups
Influence government
Support candidates
Often a single issue
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4. The Three Components of Political Parties
Multi-party systems are the norm throughout Western Europe. The two-party system in place in the United States is rather unique, using a winner-take-all structure.
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5. Functions of Political Parties
Recruit candidates to run for elective offices at all levels of government
Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections
Bear the responsibility of operating government at all levels
Provide organized opposition to the party in power
Most major activities of political parties are carried out by a relatively small group of party activists.
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Where the Voters Are
Some other democracies (Israel, France, Germany) use proportional representation in which the percentage of the vote that a party receives corresponds to the number of seats it hold in the legislature. This system allows minority parties to flourish.
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7. History of Political Parties
The Formative Years: Federalists/Anti-Federalists ( )
The Era of Good Feelings ( )
National Two-Party Rule: Whigs and Democrats ( )
The two-party system has been in place since about Federalists were for the adoption of the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists were against it.
The era of good feelings is also known as the era of personal politics, as competition for elected office took place primarily between individuals, not parties.
© The Granger Collection, New York
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8. The Golden Age of Parties
The Civil War Crisis
The Post-Civil War Period ( )
“Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion”
The Triumph of the Republicans
Conflicts over slavery split the North and South, causing the Whig party to split. The northern Whigs united with antislavery factions to become the modern Republican Party (not to be confused with the Jeffersonian Republicans.)
Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute,
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9. History of Political Parties
The Progressive Interlude ( )
The New Deal Era ( )
An Era of Divided Government (modern period)
After 1968, the general pattern was often a Republican president and a Democratic Congress
2000 Presidential Election (Red vs. Blue States)
Parties in relative balance
Political reform appeared in the early 1900s in response to economic pressures. Although of different parties, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson both considered themselves progressive. Wilson’s progressive policies started a shift in the Democratic party to more openness to government action.
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Election 1896
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Election 2004
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Election 2008
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13. The Two Major Parties Today
The parties’ core constituents
Economic beliefs
Recent economic convergence?
Cultural politics
Democrats have the reputation of supporting the less-well-off, Republicans the prosperous
Regional factors
Third party groups such as the Green Party and the Libertarian Party believe that the Republican and Democratic parties are barely different.
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The 2008 Obama presidential campaign energized many groups within the Democratic party.
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15. Income and Party Identification
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16. Republican and Democratic Issues
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17. The Three Faces of a Party
The people who identify with the party or who regularly vote for the candidates of the party in general elections
Party-in-the-electorate
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18. Three Faces of a Party (cont)
Party Organization
National
Convention delegates
National Committee
National Chairperson
State party organization
Local (grassroots) organization
Patronage and city machines
Local party organizations
The party organization is the formal structure and leadership of a party.
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2008 National Conventions
The 2008 Democratic National Convention was held in Denver; the 2008 Republican National Convention was held in Minneapolis.
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20. Three Faces of a Party (cont)
The Party in Government
Divided Government
The Limits of Party Unity
Party Polarization
All elected and appointed officials identify with a political party.
© Andy Levin/Photo Researchers, Inc.
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21. Ethnic Politics and the Campaign for the White House
This report discusses the importance of the Hispanic vote during the 2008 presidential election. Airdate: 7/13/2008
Click the icon to open the movie
Video Supplied by Motion Gallery
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Video Questions
What concerns might Hispanic voters have that other voting blocks do not share?
Why is there a historic rivalry between Hispanics and blacks in some states?
What was Bush’s appeal to Hispanic voters in the 2004 election?
Which party is most likely to appeal to Hispanic voters in the next election?
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23. Why Has the Two Party System Endured?
Duality
Political socialization and practical considerations
The Winner-Take-All Electoral System
Presidential Voting
Popular Election of the Governors and President
Proportional Representation
State and Federal Laws Favor the Two Parties
Ruling parties work to remain in control
No party organization to join as independents
In every presidential election since 1856, Democrats and Republicans have been the two major political parties, with the exception of That year, former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt was the nominee of the Bull Moose (Progressive) Party, and finished second to Woodrow Wilson. Republican incumbent Taft finished third.
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24. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Ideological Third Parties
Green Party
Splinter Parties
The Impact of Minor Parties
Influencing the Major Parties
Affecting the Outcome of an Election
Spoiler in 2000 Elections?
A modern example of an ideological third party is the Green Party, which is committed to environmentalism, non-violence and social justice. It is a federation of state Green Parties, and has fielded candidates for offices at all levels, including Ralph Nader as a presidential candidate in Nader received 2.7% of the vote.
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25. Policies of Selected American Third Parties Since 1864
While platform positions are good indicators of where a party stands, they are not reliable guides to the issue positions of individual candidates.
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26. Mechanisms of Political Change
Realignment (occurs about every years)
Civil War era
1890s
Great Depression
Nixon’s victory in 1972 seemed to be a realignment, but Watergate changed this
Realignment may actually strengthen an already dominant party, or may cause a gradual shift to another party. Nixon’s “southern strategy” showed an immediate change in presidential election results, but a more gradual one in Congressional and state legislative elections.
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27. Mechanisms of Political Change (cont)
Minor realignments
1980s conservative movement
Shift of white southerners to Republican party
Northern blue-collar workers to Republican party
Many professionals turn to Democratic party
Religious cleavage
Makes Republican party more conservative, Democrats more liberal: but neither party dominates
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28. Mechanisms of Political Change (cont)
Dealignment: A major drop-off in support for the parties.
Independent Voters
Not-So-Independent Voters
Tipping (demographically-based change)
Often due to immigration
Many political scientists believe that realignment has been replaced with dealignment, as noted by a rise in independent voters. Straight-ticket voting continues to decrease.
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29. Party Identification: 1937–Present
The number of voters identifying themselves as “independent” continues to rise.
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A New Direction in 2008
2008 Elections bring change
Democrats regain political momentum
Control White House AND Congress
Obama wins five key Republican states
Growing political divide between Democratic and Republican agendas
Political Maneuvering = Less Responsive Government
2010 Elections indicate a new direction?
Perhaps the most visible change resulting from the 2010 elections is the election of a new Speaker of the House, reflecting the Republican majority.
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31. Questions for Critical Thinking
Do democratic governments need political parties? If a democratic government has political parties, will the structure always be a two-party system?
What factors impact how many political parties will exist?
Is party identification a major factor for voters in presidential elections?
Do political parties make government more responsive?
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32. Questions for Critical Thinking
Why is it difficult for independent candidates or minor party candidates to get elected to Congress?
What inferences can be made about the voting population through the closely divided elections of 2000 and 2004?
Between 2008 and 2010, how did the interests and mood of voters change?
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Web Links
The White House
GOP.com
The Democratic Party
National Republican Senatorial Committee
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee
The White House
Republican National Committee
Democratic National Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
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Web Links
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
GOP.gov
Townhall.com
National Political Index
The Greens/Green Party USA
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Republican House Conference
Conservative news, opinion and analysis
Link to the minor parties involved in U.S. politics
Green Party, USA
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