1. The American Political Process
Government – Libertyville HS

2. What is Politics? Formal definition: “The conduct of public affairs”
Realistically, it’s all about the pursuit and exercise of power
What is political power?
Influencing others’ (political) behavior
Acquiring and exercising power to make rules, laws & policies that everyone is required to follow

3. Politics is not evil or “dirty” – it is the core of any government

4. Political Parties What is a political party? A group of people …
… with similar interests & beliefs …
… seeking power (through elections) …
…to control policymaking …
… which is organized along federal lines (national + 50 states)

5. Political Parties
In a democratic government, political parties represent the way people participate in the political process
Many ways to participate
Join a political party
Volunteer to help on a political campaign
Take part in demonstrations
Vote in election
Run for public office

6. Functions of Political Parties
Parties are the link between people & government
Essential to operation of a democratic government
Read and review the five functions of political parties in your textbook (pp )

7. Functions of Political Parties
(2) “Information and stimulator” function
Inform people & stimulate their interest and participation in public affairs
HOW???
Campaigning
Taking stands on issues
Criticizing opposition

8. Functions of Political Parties
(3) Bonding Agent Function
Ensure good performance of its candidates & office holders
Asks the questions of its candidates: High qualifications? Good character?
Failure = political damage (ex – Watergate)
(4) Watchdog function
Party out of power keeps an eye on conduct of party in power

9. Function of Political Parties
(5) Governing function
Government is run by the party in power
Basis for conduct of government in America
The political party is the primary agent through which the legislative, executive branches cooperate

10. Party Membership Purely voluntary No dues paid
BUT people can contribute $
No duties in exchange for membership
BUT you can volunteer to work for a campaign
Broad based & multi-class (economic, social) in nature

11. Party Membership: Democrats
Farmers
Union workers
African Americans
Ethnic minorities
Environmentalists
Political liberals (“progressives”)
Catholics, Jews
Entertainment industry
Big business
Graduate degree holders (MA, PHD)

12. Party Membership: Republicans
Fiscal conservatives
Small business
Evangelical Christians
Military
Eastern European immigrants
Slightly more males than females
Married couples
Higher income voters
College graduates
Elderly

13. American Political System
So why does America have a two party system?
Historical reasons
American Ideological consensus
Conduct of elections

14. Historical Reasons: Republican Party Evolution
1780s: Federalists (x=1800)
1820: Whigs (x=1850)
1854: GOP formed (today)

15. Historical Reasons: Democratic Party Evolution
1780s: D-Rs
1800: “TJ-Ds”
1830s: “J-Ds”
Today’s Ds

16. “American Ideological Consensus”
France: Population?
Italy: Population?
65 million
58 million
Left / Liberal
Right / Conservative
[ ]
Europeans are dispersed across political spectrum

17. “American Ideological Consensus”
Left / Liberal
Right / Conservative
Americans are concentrated
towards center of ideological spectrum
[ ]
Why?!?!

18. “American Ideological Consensus”
US has two oceans
to E, W
US has friendly
neighbors to N, S
Americans less
polarized b/c they
are safe!
Nice
Water
Water
Nice

19. Europe, by contrast…
YIKES!!!

20. SMD vs. PR Single Member Districts Example
Proportional Representation Example
Country B
# of Districts Won
Party A 40
Party B 30
Party C 20
Party D 10
Country A
% of Votes
Candidate 1
40%
Candidate 2
30%
Candidate 3
20%
Candidate 4
10%
Who wins?
Who wins?

21. SMD v. PR Single Member District characteristics
Winner takes all
No incentive to come in anything but first place
No incentives for third parties
No incentive to build coalition / compromise
Proportional Representation characteristics
No losers, only degrees of winners
Greater representation of ideas and issues
More extreme ideas represented in process
Coalition building required

22. Third Party Types Economic Protest Ideological
Expresses their discontent with the major parties and current economy
Examples?
Ideological
Based on comprehensive view of social, political, or economic matters
No compromise of beliefs for victory

23. Types of 3rd Parties Single Issue Party Splinter Party
Motivated and focused on one overriding public policy issue
Example?
Splinter Party
Splits off from one of the major parties
Electoral “Kiss of Death” for major party – why?
Splits support of 1 party between 2 candidates

24. Contributions of 3rd Parties
Political conventions
1830s – 1st one held by 3rd party
Every 4 years, 1 for each party
Nomination of President, VP
Today, primaries, caucuses precede convention
Also develop Party Platform
Still relevant?
Show differences between parties
1 week of being ‘on message”

25. Contributions of 3rd Parties
Address issues major parties don’t want to discuss
Example: Ross Perot & NAFTA
Ralph Nader and big money in politics
Disappoint in Ds, Rs = support for 3rd party

26. Contributions of 3rd Parties: Spoiler
Election of 1912
TR = Bull Moose / progressive (Split Rs)
Taft = R
Wilson = D
Lesson? Big % to 3rd party can cost a major party the election
Popular vote
Wilson: ,296,284
Roosevelt: 4,122,721
Taft: 3,486,242

27. Contribution of 3rd Parties: Spoiler
Election of 1992
Clinton = 43%
Bush = 38%
Perot = 19%
Lesson: major parties have to protect their flanks!
Result
Clinton: 370 ECV / 44,909,806 popular vote
GHW Bush: 168 ECV / 39,104,550 popular vote
Perot: ECV / 19,743,821 popular vote

28. Contributions of 3rd Parties
2000 election
Need 270 ECV to win
Gore = 267 EC (+500k PV)
GW Bush = 246 ECV
FL = 25 ECV
(Nader) (Gore)
(Bush)
w/o Nader, voters would have either stayed home or vote for Gore

29. Contributions of 3rd Parties
FL vote
Bush = 2,912,790
Gore = 2,912,253
Nader = 97,488
Bush: votes
Who says your vote doesn’t count?
What would Nader say about criticism by Ds?
Those were votes for him and against Gore / Ds
Results
Bush: 271 ECV / 50.4 million
Gore: 266 ECV / 50.9 million
Nader: ECV / 2.8 million