1. Rap - Political Parties

2. Party Systems and Party Roles
Political Parties
Levels of American Political Parties
Key connection between people and their government
Generally formed b/c: competing groups want their points of views to influence the government
The party includes citizens who identify themselves as Democrats of Republicans
The party organization includes:
National leaders
State chairpersons
County chairpersons
Activists who run the party at the national, state, and local levels
Important note: National, state, and local party organizations are independent and not centrally controlled
The party in government includes the party’s candidates and office holders.

3. Party Systems and Party Roles
Functions of Parties
One-Party System
A political system in which one party exercises total control over the government
China, N. Korea, and Iran are examples
Two-Party System
Two major parties compete for control of public offices
The United States is one of about 15 nations with this system. UK, India, and Jamaica are examples
Multi-Party System
A political system in which a number of political parties compete for political offices
Parties in a multiparty system often represent widely different ideologies about government policies
France, Italy, and Israel are examples
Party Systems
Recruiting and nominating candidates for public office
Running political campaigns
Articulation positions on issues (BRANDING)
Critiquing the policies of the party in power
Serving as a linking institution that connects citizens to government by:
Providing info. to voters about candidates running for office
Mobilizing voters to elect party candidates
Raising funds to support party candidates
Any person or group of people can start a political party
They will tend to share the same beliefs
Types of political party systems
One-party Systems
Two-party Systems
Multiparty Systems

4. Party Systems One-Party System
Only one party exists or routinely controls the government
Characteristics:
Does not allow other parties to form
The party is the government
Differences occur within the party
Allow elections
Not competitive b/c only the party’s candidate appear on the ballot
Countries: Cuba/North Korea

5. Party Systems Two-Party System
Two major parties compete for control of the government
Characteristics:
Very rare, only in about 15 countries world wide
United States being one
Compete to win at every level of government
Local, state, national
Balance of powers change over time
Depends on what is happening in society
Example: Great Depression

6. Popular in European Countries
Party Systems
Multiparty Systems
Many parties exist and compete for control of the government
Characteristics:
Found in countries with strong parliament systems
Legislative branch is the most powerful
The Head of Government is one of the leaders of a major party
People only elect representatives to legislature
Government leaders are party leaders
Proportional Representation
Candidates elected in proportion to the popular vote they received
Parties get the same percentage of representatives as they have votes in the population
Ex.) If a party receives 10% of the votes – parliament has seats – the party will get 50 seats
Popular in European Countries

7. Reasons why America has a two-party system

8. America’s Two-Party System
Reasons why the Two-Party System has lasted
Historical Influence
American Beliefs and Values
Historical tradition (1)
Progression of the political parties
Has always been a two-party system
The longer we have this system, harder to change
Very difficult for a minor party to become a major force in American politics
Broad ideological beliefs (2)
Encourages two large political parties
Overlapping points of views
Parties goal is to win elections

9. America’s Two-Party System
Winner-Take-All System
Electoral system based winner-take-all, single-member districts
Effect 1
Produces legislatures dominated by two political parties
Effect 2
Discourages the emergence of minor parties by forcing them to wager expensive campaigns with a minimal chance of winning
Winner-Take-All (3)
Biggest reason
Need the majority vote to win everything
Second place gets nothing
This encourages parties to embrace voters
Without a big following, the party will not win

10. American two-Party system/SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS
Almost all American elections are held in single- member districts
Only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot.
In single-member district elections:
The candidate who receives the most votes is the winner.
Types of elections:
Plurality election, the winning candidate is the person who receives the most votes.
Majority election, the winning candidate is the person who receives more than half of all votes cast.
The winner-take-all, single- member district plurality system v. proportional representation
Winner-take-all: United States
Proportional Representation: U.K.
In a system based on proportional representation, each party is awarded legislative seats in proportion to the vote it receives.
For example, in a state with 10 congressional seats, a party receiving 20 percent of the vote would be awarded 2 seats. In contrast, in a winner-take-all, single-member district system, the same party would receive no seats.

12. Review What are the different party systems?
One-Party System
Two-Party System
Multiparty-System
Why does the United States have a Two-Party System
Always had it – always will
Easier to identify with – either one of two parties
Winner-takes-all (Single Member Districts)
What is proportional representation? How does it differ from winner-take-all?
The amount votes a party receives, correlates with the amount of seats that party will be awarded in their parliamentary system. A Winner-take-all will win the one seat he or she is running for when the votes are tallied and accounted for

13. Legal barriers to third parties
Third Party Scenario
The names of Democrat and Republican candidates are automatically placed on the state ballots
Minor party candidates must persuade registered voters to sign petitions in order to have their names placed on the ballot.
Political Party A
Political Party B
Political Party C
Which party do you think will win?

14. Party eras in American history
Key Terms
Party Era
Historical periods dominated by one party.
Critical Election
A national crisis forces voters to confront divisive issues that fracture party coalitions.
Significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty.
Party realignment
Triggered by a critical election.
The majority party is displaced by the minority party, thus ushering in a new party era.

15. 1. Recruiting and Labeling
Roles of Parties
Political parties exist b/c they fill at least four important functions
1. Recruiting and Labeling
2. Acting as Watchdogs
Parties simplify the process of selecting candidates
Each party stands for a different view-point and belief
Political parties help identify a candidate’s political views
The party that does not have control of congress or is not President serve as vocal critics
When they do something bad, they alert the people
They represent the opposing view

16. 3. Getting Out Information 4. Running the Government
Roles of Parties
3. Getting Out Information
4. Running the Government
Creation of campaigns
Candidates take a stand on issues
Criticizes the candidates and stands of the opposition parties
Citizens learn about societies pressing issues
Political parties play a key role in running the government
Creation of potential laws and policies
Party leaders make sure members support the party’s position

17. Influence of Parties In the United States
How do Republicans/Democrats really influence U.S. government and politics?
The Party and Voters
Party Organization
Voters can claim to be either Democrat or Republican
May change parties anytime they want
Claiming Independent:
Voting for President of one party, but choosing a senator from the other
Becoming a popular trend
Parties do have loyalist
Contribute money
Encourage other to vote
Attend party meetings
Grassroots organization
Work from the bottom up concept
National committee leaders listen to the local and state party organizations
This coordinate their efforts
Getting a presidential candidate elected
Objective – Being Elected
Foundation - Many Workers at bottom

18. Influence of Parties In the United States
The Party and Government
Parties run and staff the government
Work is on the basis of party membership
Whoever holds the majority has power
Passing laws and policies
Must be careful not to mess up
Opposing party is waiting for a flaw

20. History of Political Parties

21. The first party system, 1796-1828

22. Political Parties - First Party System (Two Party) 1768-1828
Formed because competing groups want their points of view to influence the government
Federalist:
Democratic-Republicans:
Strong central government and the economic interests of northern business men
Supported a strong federal government and a national bank.
Federalist coalition included financial, commercial, and manufacturing interests (Wall Street)
Led by - Alexander Hamilton
State-rights and state banks. Popular in rural areas first in the south
Supported a limited federal government and opposed the national bank (McCulloch v. Maryland).
The Democratic-Republican coalition included farmers, shopkeepers, laborers, and planters
Led by -Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson defeated the Federalist president John Adams in This election marked the first time that a party in power peacefully gave up power after losing an election

23. Jackson and the Democrats 1828-1856

24. Political Parties - First Democratic Era (1828-1860)
Democrats:
Whigs:
Election of 1828
Andrew Jackson had the support of his new coalition
Westerners/Southerners/ Immigrants/Long-time citizens
Was at first a Democratic-Republican until he was President
Shortened the phrase to Democrats
Democrats Goals:
Broaden voting rights, political and economic opportunity for ordinary citizens
Supported voting rights for all white males, opposed the national bank, and used the spoils system to reward party loyalists
Eliminate privileges of the elite
Opposed the Democrats
Led by:
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster
Supported by:two military heroes as their Presidential Candidates
A loose alliance of eastern bankers/merchants/ industrialists/owners of large plantations
Two military heroes won Presidential elections – former military heroes
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Supported high tariffs and the national bank
Party split from within
Different view points between Northern industrialist and southern planters
First Democratic Era ( )
Opposition of the time
Election of 1828
Andrew Jackson had the support of his new coalition
Westerners/Southerners/ Immigrants/Long-time citizens
Was at first a Democratic- Republican until he was President
Shortened the phrase to Democrats
Democrats Goals:
Broaden voting rights, political and economic opportunity for ordinary citizens
Eliminate privileges of the elite
Whig Party
Opposed the Democrats
Won few elections against the Democrats
Would take military heroes as their Presidential Candidates
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Party split from within
Different view points between Northern industrialist and southern planters

25. The republican era,

26. Political Parties - Republican Era (1860-1932)
Republicans
Slavery was the key issue at this time
Was an anti-slavery party
Abraham Lincoln was their candidate – won election
It split the Democrats and led to the demise of the Whigs.
After the Civil War the Republicans controlled the government for 60 years
Many Southern states were against the Republicans once they rejoined the Union
Republicans would control the government for much of this time period
Became the only party in American history to make the transition from minor party to major party status.
Great Depression ended its dominances
Republican Era ( )
Slavery was the key issue at this time
Was an anti-slavery party
Abraham Lincoln was their candidate – won election
After the Civil War the Republicans controlled the government for 60 years
Many Southern states were against the Republicans once they rejoined the Union
Republicans would control the government for much of this time period
Great Depression ended its dominances

27. Fdr and the new deal coalition 1932-1964

28. Political Parties - Second Democratic Era (1932-1968)
Franklin Roosevelt elected President
Designed the New Deal Coalition
The New Deal coalition included:
Urban dwellers (immigrants) and alcoholics (left the Republican Party)
Labor unions
Catholics and Jews
African Americans (left the Republican party)
Helped with labor, the working class, and minorities during the recovery of the depression
Program of relief, recovery, and reform
The coalition did not include Northern business leaders and wealthy industrialist.
Elected to office four straight times
Democrats controlled state and local elections as well
Despite Ike’s 1952 and 1956 victories

29. Divided government, 1968 to the present

30. Political Parties - Divided Government (1968-Present)
Where one party controls the Presidency and the other control Congress
New issues making people change parties
Civil Rights Act
Southern Democrats upset with pro-civil right policies
Many became Republicans
Vietnam War
Split-ticket: voting for candidates of more than one party in the same election

31. Political Parties - Divided Government (1968-Present)
Republican Dominance
Problem
Nixon’s election in marked the beginning of Republican dominance
Exception of the Carter presidency from 1977 to 1981
Republicans adopted a “Southern strategy” designed to break the Democratic Party’s long dominance in the South
Republicans held the White House from 1969 through 1993
New pattern of divided government
Newly elected president moved into the White House while the opposition party control both houses of Congress

33. Divided government, 1968 to the present
The pattern of divided government has dominated American politics from 1969 to 2017.
The same party has controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress for just 13 years (and counting).
Divided Government has a number important of consequences:
It has heightened partisanship and made it more difficult for moderates to negotiate compromises.
It has slowed both the confirmation and the legislative processes, thus creating more gridlock
It has increased public frustration, thus contributing to the decline in trust and confidence in government (external efficacy)

34. Divided government, 1968 to the present
The last half century has witnessed a decline in the percentage of voters who identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans
We see a rise in the number of voters who identify themselves as independents.
As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of “split-ticket” voters
These people support candidates of different parties on the same ballot.
This process of disengagement of people from political parties is called “party realignment”