1. Chapter 8 Political Parties
American Government
Chapter 8
Political Parties

2. What is a Political Party?
A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy
Can you name any political parties?
In America, 1/3 of people identify as Democrats, 1/3 as Republicans, and 1/3 as Independents (voters who do not identify with any particular political party)
What is the difference between a political party and an interest group?
Interest groups do not want to operate the government and they do not put forth political candidates even though they support candidates who will promote their interests if elected or reelected.

3. Functions of Political Parties
Recruiting candidates for public office
Organizing and running elections (i.e. voter registration, volunteers for polls, etc.)
Accepting responsibility for operating the government
Acting as the organized opposition to the party in power (focusing debate on policy alternatives)

4. History of Parties in America
The United States has had a two-party system since 1800 (a political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning an election)
Were the Republican and Democratic parties always as they are today? No!
Federalists v. Antifederalists
Democrats and Whigs
Civil War- Anti-slavery Democrats founded the modern Republican Party
Starting with Woodrow Wilson, the Democrats became more amenable to government intervention (the New Deal cemented this development)

5. What do you think?
Are political parties more divided or more partisan than ever before?
Do you think the 2008 elections were a turning point? 2010? 2012?

6. Republicans and Democrats
Core constituency- the type of people usually attracted to one party
What kind of people are usually Democratic? Republican?
Differences in economic policies may be lessening or even reversing
However, cultural politics (social policy issues like abortion) are becoming more differentiated
Neither Republicans nor Democrats are very united currently

7. Party Organization
National convention every four years to nominate president and vice-president candidates
Also develop the party platform (document outlining the policies, positions, and principles of the party)
National committee is elected to direct the activities of the party for the next four years
Each state and territory also has its own party committee

8. What do you think?
Is it more effective for a party to win control of the executive or legislative branch?
If one party has control of the presidency and the other has control of the legislature, that indicates a divided government

9. Why has the two-party system endured?
1. The historical foundations of the two-party system
There is often one major issue dividing people politically (shape and power of the government, economics, etc)
2. Political socialization and practical considerations
We are predisposed to think of a two-party system and often follow our parents particularly

10. 3. The Winner-Takes-All Electoral System
The Electoral College (a group of selected people who choose directly the President of the United States)
This means that minor parties are highly unlikely to garner enough votes for a presidential victory
4. State and Federal Laws Favor the Two Main Parties
i.e. Members of third parties must ally themselves with the main two parties to have any clout

11. Do third parties have any influence?
Absolutely!
While they are not as powerful as the Republican and Democratic parties, third parties are barometers of change.
Help to pinpoint new issues or trends in the thinking of Americans
Also act as havens for political dissidents which in turn helps to prevent major confrontations and political unrest
Influence the main parties and can even affect the result of an election

12. Realignment
A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape
See Figure 8-4 on p 279
What can you infer from this Figure?
This chart demonstrates the shift towards dealignment, a decline in party loyalties
Why?
More people remain loyal to independent parties
There is a greater number of undecided or swing voters
Also, straight-ticket voting used to be nearly universal whereas now split-ticket voting is more common (between 20 and 40 % of voters split their vote in 2008)

13. Questions to Think About
2008 did mark a shift in American thought. Why did the Democrats win the elections in 2008? What do you think will happen next year?
The Obama administration talks often of “bipartisanship.” What does this mean? Do you approve?