1. Political Parties

2. Learning Objectives
Describe the main characteristics of American parties as:
Organizations
In government
In the electorate
Explain the functions that parties perform in the political system

3. Introduction
What is the Tea Party and how does it fit into the modern party system ?

4. Parties and Party Systems (163-169)
What does it mean that American political parties are decentralized ?
Example from 2015 Headline: Republican Governors Buck Party Line on Raising Taxes

5. Parties and Party Systems (163-169)
What is the difference between the three parts of the party system 164 ?
Party Organization
Party in government
Party in the electorate

6. Parties and Party Systems (163-169)
What are the essential details of each of the five party systems?

7. First Party System: two factions Hamilton and the Federalists
strong national government
Implied powers in the constitution
Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party.
limited government
Strict Interpretation of constitution

8. Second Party System: Andrew Jackson introduces “mass democracy”
Democrats V. Whigs Collapsed over slavery

9. Third Party System: Around the start of the Civil War
a time of extreme industrial and economic expansion
Party Machines
Party coalitions dominated by geography.
The South = Democrats who opposed the ending of slavery,
North = Republicans, who supported ending slavery.

10. Fourth Party System: Defined by Progressivism, race and immigration.
Northeastern business = Republicans
South and West = Democrats.
Immigrant groups were courted by both parties.

11. Fifth Party System:
 New Deal Coalition  created by FDR  in response to the Great Depression.
supported new social welfare
Made up of under-privileged and minority groups including
unions,
Catholics, and Jews.
Some African-Americans,

12. Sixth Party System: Starts with Civil Rights Act of 1964
Democrats lose their dominance of the South in the late 1960s
Republican resurgence with Nixon’s Silent Majority

13. Reading Guide Questions
What causes realignment of party systems ?
What issues (or potential issues) today do you think could drive a realignment?

14. Modern American Political Parties (169-175)
What are the important parts and roles of the “Party Organization ?
What groups outside of the official parties can drive policy

15. Roles of Party in Organization
Run day to day operations
Recruit candidates and supporters
Raise money
Work to build consensus

16. Outside Groups Political Action Committees (PACs) or 527 groups
Labor unions
Interest group

17. Party Brand Names What do you think of when you think Democrats?
Positive connotations
Negative connotations
What do you think of when you think Republicans?

18. Modern American Political Parties (169-175)
How does the “Party in Government” work? How is this organized?

19. Congressional organization
Caucus (congressional) - The organization of Democrats within the House and Senate that meets to discuss and debate the party's positions on various issues in order to reach a consensus and to assign leadership positions
Conference- Same thing for Republicans

20. Ideology of Parties in Government (172)
Look at the chart on page 172. How does this explain modern partisan conflict?

21. Party in Electorate Look at the graph on page 174.
Which party has an advantage in party identification?

22. Party Coalition Look at the charts on page 176 and 177
Who are the Major constituency groups for the democrats?

23. Role of Political Parties in American Politics
Contesting Elections
Cooperation in Government

24. Contesting Elections
Recruiting/nominating candidates (through primaries)
Campaign assistance
Party Platforms

25. Types of Primary's
What are the five types of party primaries and what are the differences? Tables on page 178

26. Presidential Nominations
How do parties nominate candidates for president?

27. Party Platforms
What are Party platforms?
Democrats
Republican

28. Cooperation in government
Agenda Setting
Coordination
Coordination Accountability
Government can be unified or divided

29. Should Parties Choose Their Candidates?
You Decide Page 184

30. Reading Guide Question
What is the role(s) of minor parties in the U.S. political system ( )