1. Political Parties IntroVS
Political Parties Intro

2. Political Party – DEFINED!!!
Anthony Downs: “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.”
Edmund Burke: “an organized assembly of men, united for working together for the national interest, according to the particular principle they agreed upon.”

3. Basic Types of Party Systems
One-Party Systems
The party IS the government
Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea
Formerly Afghanistan
Iraq under Sadaam
Multi-Party Systems
Many INFLUENTIAL parties
Germany - ~6
Sweden - ~7
Two-Party SystemS
Two MAIN parties – may be countless minor parties
Ummm, us here in the US

4. Tasks of the Party Pick Candidates Run Campaigns Cue Voters
Decide who we get to vote for
Run Campaigns
Manage those candidates
Cue Voters
Educate us, the electorate
Articulate Policy
Create political agenda
Coordinate Policymaking
Run the government, get that agenda cookin’!

5. “Downs Model” – Rational Party
“The People” are in the center, so must the party be

6. Parties in History:
Federalist Paper Author James Madison warns of “evils of faction”
Father of our Country George Washington cautions as to the “baneful effects of the spirit of party”
Promptly descend into Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans
Post-Adams, Federalists fade due to poor organization

7. 1828-1856 D-R drops the R and becomes the Democrats
Van Buren posits that opposition is necessary to keep the party true to its own principles – loyal opposition represents parts of society that the other party misses
Opposed by Whigs

8. 1860-1928 Slavery issue splits parts off of both parties
Republicans emerge, collect splinters under anti-slavery banner
Starting with Lincoln, Republicans control basically to the Depression

9. 1932-1964 Democrats gain control and largely hold it until ‘68
Built on the ideals of Liberalism – more government to help those who need it

10. 1968-Present
Nixon – first 20th century president to enter office without control of Congress
Brief periods of alignment (such as part of W’s presidency)
Many of today’s voters lack strong party loyalty – frankly we get bored of the current party and want something new

11. Capitol Hill today  Public perception Gallup Poll Article Democrats
Republicans