1. Political Parties Introduction

2. What is a political party?
Group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and thereby influence government policies.

3. Party Systems
One Party System – The party is, in effect, the government. The decisions of party leaders are essentially government policy.

4. Party Systems
Multiparty System: In multiparty systems, governments rarely gain enough support to control the government
Coalition Government: Combination of parties in a multiparty system to gain a majority.

5. Party Systems
Two Party System: System in which two parties compete for power, although minor parties compete for power.

6. Third Party
Any party other than one of the two major parties in a two-party system.
Could have multiple third parties.

7. Types of Third Parties
Single-Issue Party: Focuses exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue.
Liberty Party and the Free Soil Party formed to take stronger stands against slavery than either the Democrats or the Whigs had taken.
Ideological Party: Focuses on overall change in society rather than on an issue.
Socialist Labor Party and the Communist Party USA advocated government ownership of factories, transportation, resources, farmland, etc…

8. Types of Third Parties
Splinter Party: Splits away from one of the major parties because of some disagreement.
Bull Moose Party, Theodore Roosevelt

9. Obstacles to Third Parties
Names on ballots
Single Member District: VS
Proportional Representation:
Money

10. Positives of a Third Party
Often have promoted ideas that were at first unpopular or hotly debated.
Major parties are forced to take a stance on even adopt their controversial issue if the Third Party becomes powerful enough.
Example of issues: Minimum Wage, Five-Day Workweek, and Health Insurance.

12. Roles of Political Parties
What do Political Parties do?

13. Roles of Political Parties
Recruiting Candidates
Recruit and select potentially successful candidates.

14. Roles of Political Parties
Educating the Public
Bring issues to the public’s attention
Gives background on candidates

15. Roles of Political Parties
Operating the Government
Congress and state legislatures are organized and carry on their work on the basis of party affiliation
Act as a link between legislature and chief executives.

16. Roles of Political Parties
Dispensing Patronage
Give favors to reward party loyalty to their members.
Favors include: jobs, contracts, and appointments to government positions.

17. Role of Political Parties
The Loyal Opposition
Acts as the “watchdog” over government.
Observes the party in power, criticizes it, and offers solutions to political problems

18. Roles of Political Parties
Reduction of Conflict
Attracts support of many different groups thus encouraging groups to compromise and work together.
Develops moderate policies with mass appeal.

19. Types of Participation
2000 Election participation
82% watched the campaign on television
73% voted in the election
34% tried to influence others how to vote
10% put a sticker on their car
9% gave money to help a campaign
5% attended a political meeting
3% worked for a party or candidate
Is this true? 73% of people vote? – No

20. Political Participation
Who participates?
Factor 1:
Education – MOST IMPORTANT, more education=more voting

21. Political Participation
Who participates?
Factor 2:
Religious involvement

22. Political Participation
Who participates?
Factor 3:
Race and Ethnicity – Whites higher than minorities (might be economic based)

23. Political Participation
Who participates?
Factor 4:
Age – is the lowest, and 45 and up is the highest

24. Political Participation
Who participates?
Factor 5:
Gender – men traditionally voted more, now it is more equal

25. Political Participation
Who participates?
Factor 6:
Two-party competition – more competitive elections have higher turnout.

26. Political Participation
Why not vote?
Factor 1:
Vote does not matter

27. Political Participation
Why not vote?
Factor 2:
Party and candidate polarization.

28. Political Participation
Why not vote?
Factor 3:
Uninformed constituency

29. Political Participation
Why not vote?
Factor 4:
Time

30. Political Participation
Why not vote?
Factor 5:
Ballot Fatigue

31. Political Participation
Why do you vote the way you do?
Factor 1: Family

32. Political Participation
Why vote the way you do?
Factor 2: Gender

33. Political Participation
Why do you vote the way you do?
Factor 3: Religion

34. Political Participation
Why do you vote the way you do?
Factor 4: Education?

35. Political Participation
Why do you vote the way you do?
Factor 5: Social Class

36. Political Participation
Why do you vote the way you do?
Factor 6: Political Ideology

37. Political Participation
Why vote the way you do?
Factor 7:
Race and Ethnicity

38. Political Participation
Why do you vote the way you do?
Factor 8
Geographic Area

39. Political Participation
The American Voter
1: Ideologues – 12% of people connect their opinions to party ideologies.
2: Group Benefits Voter – 42% of people connect their opinion to their “group”. (labor union, interest group, class, race)
3: Nature of the times voter – 24% of the people linked good or bad times to the party in control and vote the opposite (usually based on economics).
4: No Issue Content – 22% of the people could give no reason

40. Political Participation
PB + D > C
P: Probability that vote will affect the outcome of an election.
B: Perceived Benefit if persons favorite party or candidate were elected.
D: Duty (civic) to vote or any other personal gratification for voting.
C: Cost, time, and effort to vote.