2. Political Parties Chapter 8

3. The Meaning of Party Political Party: – A “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.” Parties can be thought of in three parts: – Party in the electorate – Party as an organization – Party in government

4. The Meaning of Party Tasks of the Parties – Linkage Institution: The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda. – Parties Pick Candidates – Parties Run Campaigns – Parties Give Cues to Voters – Parties Articulate Policies – Parties Coordinate Policymaking

5. Figure 8.1 The Meaning of Party Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model – Rational-choice theory: Assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, weighing the pros & cons.

6. The Party in the Electorate These are the voters in an election. Ticket-splitting: – Voting for candidates of different parties. YearDemIndRep 196452.22324.8 197640.236.823.0 198835.736.328.0 200034.841.024.2

7. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington These are the people that work for the party. Local Parties – Party Machines: A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern. – Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines. – Now local organizations are generally weak.

8. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington The 50 State Party Systems – Closed: voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party – Open: voters decide on election day which party to participate in, and then only vote for that party – Blanket: voters get a list of all candidates and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label

9. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington The National Party Organizations – National Convention: The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform. – National Committee: One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions.

10. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy These are the party members actually elected to government. Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help… Coalition: – A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends. Parties & politicians generally do what they say they will do.

11. From Table 8.3 The Party in Government: Promises and Policy Rep Platform 2000 – Bush & Reagan set the stage for today’s prosperity. – The party of peace through strength. – Personal savings accounts are the cornerstone. Dem Platform 2000 – Clinton turned America into the prosperous country of today. – Reversed a decline in defense spending. – Create privately managed savings accounts.

12. Party Eras in American History Party Eras – Historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power. Critical Election – An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge. Party Realignment – The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election.

13. Party Eras in American History 1796-1824: The First Party System – Madison warned of “factions” – First party was the Federalist party 1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats versus the Whigs – Modern party founded by Jackson – Whigs formed mainly in opposition to Democrats

14. Party Eras in American History 1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras – Republicans rose as the antislavery party – 1896 election revolved around the gold standard 1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition – Forged by the Democrats- relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

15. Figure 8.3 Party Eras in American History 1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government – Party dealignment- disengagement of people from parties – Party neutrality- people are indifferent towards the two parties

16. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Political parties other than Democrat or Republican Rarely win elections But, they bring new groups and people into politics Two-party system discourages extreme views

17. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Winner-take-all system: – Legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers. Proportional Representation: – Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party- more votes, more seats Coalition Government: – Two or more parties join to run government

18. Understanding Political Parties Democracy and Responsible Party Government – 1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs. – 2. Candidates are committed to the program. – 3. Majority party must carry out its program. – 4. Majority party must accept responsibility.

19. Understanding Political Parties Individualism and Gridlock – Easier to pass the buck than bite the bullet – Lack of uniformity even within parties American Political Parties and the Scope of Government – Lack of uniformity keeps government small – But, it also makes cutting government programs harder to do

20. Understanding Political Parties Is the Party Over? – No longer the chief source of information for voters – But, state and national party organizations are getting stronger – Majority of people still identify with a party, yet still split their tickets – Parties will continue to be around

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