1. UNIT 3 U. S. Political System
Chapter 8 – Political Parties

2. Linkage Institutions
A structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority.
1. Elections
2. Political Parties
3. Interest Groups
4. Media

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.” (Anthony Downs)
Parties can be thought of in three-headed political giant:
1. Party in the electorate (largest component)
2. Party as an organization
3. Party in government.

4. The Meaning of Party Roles of the Parties
Linkage Institution: The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s political /policy agenda (list of subjects or problems to which people inside and outside government are paying serious attention to at any given time). Parties Pick Candidates
Parties Run Campaigns
Parties Give Cues to Voters
Parties Articulate Policies
Parties Coordinate Policymaking

5. 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 costs & benefits.
Figure 8.1

6. The Party in the Electorate
Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.
Ticket-splitting:
Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices.
Ticket-splitting has become the norm in American voting behavior.

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 urban party organizations are generally weak.

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

9. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington
The National Party Organizations
National Convention: (Supreme Power)The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party’s platform.
National Committee: One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions.
National Chairperson: Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party.

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. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy

12. Party Eras in American History
Party Eras (pp )
Historical periods in which one party has been the dominant majority party.
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
: The First Party System
Madison warned of “factions”
First party were the Federalists
: 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
: The Two Republican Eras
Republicans rose as the antislavery party
1896 election revolved around the gold standard
: The New Deal Coalition
Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

15. Party Eras in American History
Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.2)

16. 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

17. Party Eras in American History
Partisan Control of State Governments: 2005 (Figure 8.3)

18. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics
Political parties other than Democrat or Republican
Rarely win elections
Third parties bring new groups and ideas into politics
“Splinter groups”- offshoot of a major party
Two-party system discourages extreme views; try to stay moderate

19. 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

20. Individualism and Gridlock
Gridlock in policymaking is a consequence of allowing individualism.
This occurs when different parties control the executive and legislative branches.
No single party in the U.S. has firm control in government.

21. 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.

22. Understanding Political 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

23. Understanding Political Parties
Is the Party Over?
Political parties are no longer the chief source of information for voters (i.e. media & interest groups)
State and national party organizations are getting stronger
Majority of people still identify with a party, but still split their tickets
Parties will continue to be around