1. Political Parties

2. Definition of Purpose
Group of individuals who seek to control government by sponsoring candidates for public office

3. Functions Nominators Policy Makers – “linkage institution”
Organizers of government machinery
Informers
“Approvers”
Watchdogs

4. Party Systems One party – authoritarian, dictatorship, “Solid South”
Two Party – US, historical, third parties have challenges
Multiparty – Some European nations, contributes to coalitions, often unstable due to no clear majority

5. Party Structure Membership Party in the electorate Party Structure
Party in Government

6. Party Structure Party Leader Party in the White House
Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party
Democratic leader?
Highest ranking Democrat in Congress
Chair of the DNC

7. National Structure National Chairperson National Committee
RNC: Reince Priebus
DNC: Tom Perez
National Committee
Handle convention, party affairs
Congressional Campaign Committee
Work to get party members elected to Congress
4 committees
National Convention*
Purpose: write/adopt platform, nominate Prez and VP

8. Other Characteristics
Federalism: Parties are DECENTRALIZED!
Intraparty rivalry is real
State and Local Parties: purpose is to get party members elected to state and local positions in government

9. Moderation Attract as many voters as possible
Nominate a “moderate” candidate
Platforms are not distinctly different…or are they?

10. Are political parties becoming extinct?
Increase in the number of independents
Split ticket voting is increasing
Rising use of technology
Media and independent expenditures
Interest groups influence has increased

11. Political Parties will be a part of the political future.
Funding is still high
Party unity score is high (how often legislators vote with party)

12. Third Parties (Minor Parties)
Challenges
Rep and Dem control the process therefore the minor parties are left out
“wasted vote” in the mind of the voter
Funding
Influence
Force issues
Ross Perot and budget deficit in 1990s

13. Dealignment: movement in which voters abandon both parties
Factors: less and less identifying with the major parties (1/3 independent)
Effects on Campaigns
Moderate stance
Target independent or swing voters
Better race
Focus on issues that will differentiate party