1. Chapter 5 Political Parties

2. Section 1—Parties and What They Do
What is a political party?
Some are “issue” or “principle” oriented
Some are oriented toward winning elections.
What Do Parties Do?
They are the medium for presenting opinions to the people.
They are a link between the governed and those who govern.
They work to blunt conflicts—Power Brokers

3. Section 1—Parties and What They Do
What Do Parties Do? (cont.)
Nominating Candidates (recruiting and choosing)
Informing and Activating Supporters
The Bonding Agent Function (screening)
Governing—”partisanship”
Acting as Watchdog
“ins and “outs”
Loyal Opposition

4. Section 2—The Two-Party System

5. Section 2—The Two-Party System
Earl Dodge: six time presidential candidate
Why a Two-Party System?
Regional one-party presence at times
The Historical Basis
Federalists and anti-federalists
Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Washington: warned against “the baneful effects of the spirit of party.”

6. Section 2—The Two-Party System
Why a Two-Party System? (cont.)
The Force of Tradition
Long acceptance “that is just the way it is.”
The Electoral System
Single-member districts
Plurality—largest number of votes cast
Bipartisan nature discourages minor parties
Non-major party candidates in only 7 elections

7. Section 2—The Two-Party System
Why a Two-Party System (cont.)
The American Ideological Consensus
Pluralistic Society—many cultures and groups
Consensus—on most fundamental matters
Middle-of-the-road tendency

8. Section 2—The Two-Party System
Multiparty Systems
Many European nations
Must build coalitions
One-Party Systems
Really no-party
1/3 of the States are mostly one-party

9. Section 2—The Two-Party System
Party Membership Patterns
Cross section
Democrats—African Americans, Catholics, Jews, Union members, etc.
Republicans—white males, Protestants, business community, etc.
Disrupting events can change patterns:
Civil War
Great Depression

10. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History
The Nation’s First Parties
Federalist—Alexander Hamilton
Anti-Federalists under Thomas Jefferson. Became Jeffersonian Republicans; later Democratic Republicans; and then Democrats.
Jefferson defeated the incumbent Adams in 1800.

11. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History
American Parties: Four Major Eras
The Era of the Democrats,
Federalists disappear by 1816
Era of Good Feelings
Split into factions
National Republican party (Whigs) emerges
Whigs fall apart
Democrats split into North and South
1856 the Republicans emerge from previous Whigs and some Democrats.

12. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History
American Parties: Four Major Eras
The Era of the Republicans,
Democrats held the “Solid South.”
McKinley’s victory in 1896 solidified party
Only interruptions were Cleveland and Wilson

13. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History
American Parties: Four Major Eras
The Return of the Democrats,
Great Depression/Roosevelt
Social Welfare programs/New Deal
The Start of a New Era,
Divided government

14. Section 4—The Minor Parties
Minor Parties in the United States
Ideological Parties
Socialist, Socialist Labor, Socialist Worker, and Communist.
Libertarian
Single Issue Parties
Free Soil—opposed slavery
American or Know Nothing Party—opposed Irish immigration.
Right to Life Party—opposes abortion

15. Section 4—The Minor Parties
Minor Parties in the United States
Economic Protest Parties
Greenback Party
Populist Party of the 1890s
Splinter Parties
Bull Moose Party of 1912
LaFollette’s Progressive Party
States’ Rights (Dixiecrats)
American Independent Party of George Wallace
Green Party with Ralph Nader

16. Section 4—The Minor Parties
Why Minor Parties Are Important
Anti Masonic Party had first convention in 1831.
Spoiler role of Teddy Roosevelt, Ralph Nader and Ross Perot
They highlight important issues
Income tax, women’s rights, voting

17. Section 5—Party Organization
The Decentralized Nature of the Parties.
The Role of the Presidency
The Impact of Federalism
Over 500,000 elective offices in America
The Role of the Nominating Process

18. Section 5—Party Organization
National Party Machinery
The National Convention
The National Committee
The National Chairperson
The Congressional Campaign Committees

19. Section 5—Party Organization
State and Local Party Machinery
The State Organization
Local Organization
Wards
Precinct

20. Section 5—Party Organization
The Three Components of the Party
The party organization-leaders, activists, contributors, hanger’s on
The party in the electorate-loyal voters
The party in government-officeholders

21. Section 5—Party Organization
The Future of the Major Parties
Decline in party “identification.”
Increase in split-ticket voting
Open reforms have led to internal conflict and disorganization.
Changes in technology
Growth of single-issue organizations