1. Chapter 5: Political Parties

2. Political Parties and What They Do 5.1

3. What is a Party?
Political Party—a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding of public office (a group with similar principles and want to shape public policy)
2 major parties
Republicans
Democrats
There are also many minor parties

4. What Do Parties Do? Nominating Candidates
Parties are the link between the people and the government
Help unify groups through compromise
Nominating Candidates
Select candidates to run for public office
Help them get elected
Inform supporters on public affairs
Campaigns (buttons, stickers, media, debates, speeches)

5. Bonding Agents Function
Puts forth the best candidate for office
Usually done through primary elections
Govern
One party controls government and all members will align with their party. This is called Partisanship.
Act as a Watchdog
The party out of power criticizes the policies of the party in power (the party who controls the executive branch)

6. 5.2 Two Party-System
The United States operates under a two- party system. That is only Republican or Democratic Party’s candidates have a chance of getting elected.

7. Why a Two-Party System? Historical Basis Tradition
Federalists
Historical Basis
Federalists/Anti-federalists
Tradition
The Electoral System
Single member districts
Republicans and Democrats make it difficult for minor parties to join political races
The American Ideological Consensus
Most Americans agree on basic ideals, principles, and patterns of belief
Anti-federalists

8. Multiparty Systems
A system in which several major and many lesser parties could exist, seriously compete for and actually win, public office
Popular in European democracies
Parties based on a particular interest: economic class, religious belief, or sectional attachment
More responsive to the people
Coalition—alliance of several groups
Frequent changes of party in power

9. One-Party System
One-Party system is when only 1 party is allowed to exist.
Prevalent in dictatorships
Usually power is kept by force and no other party can participate
Fidel Castro
Of Cuba

10. Party Membership Patterns
Membership is voluntary
Major parties are broad based in order to gain more votes
However, certain cross- sections of the electorate are usually aligned to one or the other parties
People follow their parents
Major events
Other factors: age, gender, and education
Democrats:
African Americans
Catholics
Jews
Union members
Lower income
Republicans
White males
Protestant
White collar workers
Higher income

11. 5.4 Minor Parties
Ross Perot
Reform Party
Ralph Nader
Green Party
Although, minor party candidates have no real chance of winning the presidency, they still play an important role in politics. 11

12. Four types of Minor Parties
Ideological Parties—based on a particular set of beliefs (comprehensive view)
Socialist Party, Labor Party, Workers Party, Communist Party
Single-issue Parties— concentrate on one public policy matter
Free Soil Party, Right to Life Party, Know Nothings Party
Usually fade over time or one of the major parties adopts their issue

13. Economic Protest Parties—oppose the economic system or economic situation of the time
Greenbacks Party, Populist Party
Focus anger on real or imagined enemies
Disappear as the countries economic condition gets better
Splinter Parties—groups that have split away from one of the major parties
Bull Moose Party, Dixiecrats, American Independent Party
Usually led by one person with a strong personality who has failed with one of the major parties
These parties usually fade as the leader does

14. Importance?
They were the first to use national conventions to choose their candidates
Spoiler role in elections
They can take clear cut stands (draw attention to important issues) ex: women’s suffrage

15. Party Organization 5.5
Both the Democratic and Republican parties are organized at the national, state, and local levels

16. The Decentralized Nature of the Parties
Both parties are highly decentralized
President acts as a party leader
Access to the media, makes federal appointment, grants favors
The Party out of power has no clear leader
Nominating Process pits party members against each other

17. The National Party Machinery
4 Components
National Convention
Nominate a candidate for President and VP
Write Party Platform
National Committee—most work centers around staging the national convention
National Chairperson—head of the national committee and campaigning
Promoting party unity, fund raising, and voter recruiting
Congressional Campaign Committees—focus on reelection of incumbents

18. State and Local Party Machinery
Structure is set by state law
State Level
Built around a State Chairperson (usually an influential political figure or a front for one)
Build unity, find candidates, raise funds
Local Level
Follow electoral map (wards and precincts)
Largely inactive except for election time

19. The Three Components of the Party
Another perspective—3 components that make up a party
Party organization—the leaders and activists that run the party machinery
Party electorate—voters for that party
Party in government—the officeholders

20. The Future of the Major Parties
Political parties have been in decline since the 1960’s for several reasons
Growing number of Independent
Increase in split-ticket voting
Internal conflicts within parties
Technological changes in campaigning
Single-issue organizations who align with certain candidates ($)