1. POLITICAL PARTIES
“No America without democracy, no democracy without politics, no politics without parties, no parties without compromise and moderation.”
--Clinton Rossiter

2. Political Parties - Definition
A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.

4. History of U.S. Party Politics
Founding Period
Federalists vs Antifederalists
issues
size and power of national government
base
Federalists primarily merchant/commercial/wealthy
Antifederalists primarily small farmer/craftsmen and south
George Washington viewed political parties as a threat to national unity and popular government

5. History of U.S. Party Politics
Parties were not mentioned in the Constitution and did not exist in any recognizable form in the pre-party period, which lasted through Washington’s first term of office.

7. Why Does the United States Have a Two-Party System?
There have been many minor parties in American history.
There are many reasons why only
parties
have alternated in power
in the United States for
more than 125 years.

8. The U.S. is a two-party system; most other democracies have a multiparty system
Coalition government is necessary
Minor parties have an incentive to persevere
Proportional representation
Governments tend toward instability
Two Party
Winner-takes-all system
“Wasted vote” syndrome discourages minor parties
Government tends toward stability
Policy change is incremental

9. Why Does the United States Have a Two-Party System? (Cont’d)
The parties retain their strength nationally in large part because of the presidency, but party politics on the state and local levels often functions quite differently.
Most Americans readily identify with one of the two major parties.

10. Why has the 2-PARTY system endured?
Often, on major issues confronting the country there have been two clear sides. This duality helped to initiate a two-party system and has maintained this system through the present.
Political socialization and practical considerations
The Winner-Take-All Electoral System
Presidential Voting
Popular Election of the Governors and President
Proportional Representation
State and Federal Laws Favoring the Two Parties

11. Barriers to Minor-Party Success
Role of Third Parties
Barriers to Minor-Party Success
Consensus
Consensus
History
Tradition
Tradition
History

12. Minor Parties: Persistence and Frustration
TYPE
Ideological Parties
Protest Parties
Single Issue Parties
Splinter Parties
EXAMPLES
Libertarian Party
Green Party
Reform Party

13. Third Parties
Many political scientists contend that third parties have acted as barometers of changes in the political mood.
Third parties have influenced American politics by getting their policies adopted by a major party & determining whether the Republicans or Democrats win an
election.

14. Successful Third Parties

15. The Party System Today
The present party system, featuring the Democratic and Republican parties, developed in the late 1850s.
Three critical elections—elections that produced a sharp change in patterns of party loyalty among voters and lasting electoral realignment—have marked the present party system.

16. THREE CRITICAL ELECTIONS
The Election of
1860
The Election
of 1896
The Election
of 1932
The Election of
2016

17. ELECTION of 1860

18. Election of 1896

19. ELECTION of 1932

20. Two-Party System in American History

21. Political Parties - Functions
Although many people regard political parties with suspicion, parties are an essential component of democratic government.

22. Political Parties and Their Functions (Cont’d)
Citizens’ main avenue of participation in government is through voting in competitive elections.
Parties perform five important functions for the political system
Candidate Recruitment (Nominations)
Organizing and Running Elections
Presenting Alternatives to Electorate
Operating the Government
Providing Organized Opposition to Government

23. Five Important Functions - 1
Candidate Recruitment
Parties need to find viable candidates for a whole range of elected positions at the federal and state level
Obstacles to recruitment include:
time, privacy, finances, prospects

24. Five Important Functions - 2
Organizing and Running Elections
Provides:
resources for candidates
ideas for candidates

25. Five Important Functions - 3
3. Presenting alternatives to the electorate
Voters need choices among candidates and among policy alternatives
Democratic Party Platform
Republican Party Platform

26. Five Important Functions - 4
4. Operating the government
legislative leadership
positions
executive
appointments
judicial

27. Five Important Functions - 5
Providing organized “loyal” opposition to government (minority party or parties only)
Make sure, if not in power, that party is ready for next election
leaders
issues
policies

28. Party Candidates for the U.S. House in the 2002 Election

29. PARTY IDENTIFICATION
During the last half-century, the Democrats have been known as the party of the working class and of racial and ethnic minorities.
During the last half-century, the Republicans have been known as the party of business and known for having an ethic of self-reliance.
Republicans have emphasized the importance of the marketplace and less emphasis on social programs. .

30. Democrats have emphasized social welfare and protection of senior’s benefits.
In recent years, cultural issues have become increasingly important in defining the differences between the parties.
[Abortion, Stem Cell, Same Sex Marriage]

31. Distribution of Party Identification 1952-2004

32. Party Identification by Social Groups

33. Party Ideology and Organization
Contrary to what many people believe, the Democrats and Republicans differ considerably in political ideology.
The difference can be seen in the way voters classify themselves on a liberal-conservative continuum.
Another way to see ideological differences is to analyze party platforms.

34. Party Ideology and Organization (Cont’d)
Despite their ideological differences on:
issues of freedom
order
Equality
the parties are similar in that they are both capitalist parties that reject government ownership of the means of production.

35. POLITICAL DIFFERENCES
What are the Differences between
Democrats and Republicans?
A. Differences in core membership
B. Differences in public policy

36. A. Differences in Party Identifiers
Core Democratic and Republican support by:
Race
Religion
Education
Economic Status
Geography

37. B. Differences in Public Policy
Balancing Liberty (Freedom) with Equality.
Balancing Liberty (Freedom) with Security (Order/Authority)

38. Republican Issues and Democratic Issues

39. “Should the Government Increase Taxes on the Wealthiest Americans?”
POLITICAL ISSUES
Liberals
Conservatives
Equality
Liberty
“Should the Government Increase Taxes on the Wealthiest Americans?”
Liberals—Yes
Conservatives—No

40. “Should the federal government guarantee all Americans health care?”
POLITICAL ISSUES
Equality
“Should the federal government guarantee all Americans health care?”
Liberals—Yes
Conservatives—No
Liberals
Conservatives
Liberty

41. “Should the government de-criminalize the use of marijuana?”
POLITICAL ISSUES
Liberals
Conservatives
Security
Liberty
“Should the government de-criminalize the use of marijuana?”
Liberals—Yes
Conservatives—No

42. “Should the Congress extend provisions of the Patriot Act?
POLITICAL ISSUES
Liberals
Conservatives
Liberty
Security
“Should the Congress extend provisions of the Patriot Act?
Liberals—No
Conservatives—Yes

43. Party Ideology and Organization (Cont’d)
American parties parallel our federal system, having separate national and state organizations.
The national organization is not hierarchical and has little control over state party organizations.

44. NATIONAL LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS
Each major party has four main organizational components.
A national convention
A national committee
Congressional party conferences
Congressional campaign organizations

45. NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS

46. The Model of Responsible Party Government
Four principles of responsible party government:
Parties should present clear and coherent programs to voters.
Voters should choose candidates on the basis of party programs.
The winning party should carry out its program once in office.
Voters should hold the governing party responsible at the next election for executing its program.

47. ASSIGNMENT
Map of U.S. Coloring the Blue and Red States from the 2014 midterm election
Landscape; heading at bottom
Legend to the bottom-right
Graphic Organizer- 1 page typed paper comparing and contrasting the basic principles of the Democratic and Republican parties.