Understanding Political Parties in the US: Functions and Types

1. Unit 2 Political Behavior: Gov.’t By the People Ch 5 – Political Parties Ch 6 – Voters and Voter Behavior Ch 7 – The Electoral Process Ch 8 – Mass Media and Public Opinion Ch 9 – Interest Groups

2. What are political parties? Political parties in the US are a group of persons who seek to control gov.’t through winning elections + holding public office. In the US, they aren’t primarily principle- or issue-oriented. They are election-oriented. They: are the way which leadership + broad policy choices are presented to the people. are the link b/w the people + the gov.’t. bring conflicting groups together + soften the impact of extremism on both ends of the political spectrum. Ch 5 – Political Parties

3. Functions of political parties End Section 1 Functions of Political Parties Nominating Candidates Informing + Activating Supporters Bonding Agent Governing Watchdog Select + present candidates Help elect through campaigning, educating (in favor of their own candidate + against the opponent) fundraising, advertising Ensures good performance of its candidates + officeholders (of good character + stick to party policy – somewhat) Congress is organized + appointments are made based on party Criticizes the party in power (party of the president/ governor) + keeps them honest, sort of The major function

4. The 2-party system 2-party system – in an typical election, only 2 parties’ candidates have a reasonable chance of winning office (in the US, Republicans + Democrats) Why? – Nothing is said about political parties is the Constitution. 1. Historical basis - Federalists + Democratic-Republicans 2. Force of tradition 3. The electoral system - most elections are winner-takes-all + the candidate w/ the most votes (not necessarily a majority) wins - people don’t want to “waste” their vote - system is set up to discourage minor parties 4. The American ideological consensus - US has been free of long-standing, bitter disputes over economic class, religious beliefs, or national origin unlike many other countries – no need for many parties - Our political parties are very similar + moderate

5. The multiparty system 1-party system The multiparty system is one in which several major + many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, + win public offices Most European democracies have a multiparty system Represents more diverse interests Often leads to instable gov.’ts Usually must form coalitions – a temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority to control the gov.’t When the alliance breaks down, a new coalition forms + a new gov.’t takes power 1-party system results when only one political party is allowed to exist Most dictatorships are 1-party systems

6. Party membership patterns Members of certain segments of the electorate tend to have similar voting patterns: Typically Democrat: Typically Republican: - Women - Blacks - Latinos - Catholics - Jews - Union members - Lower income groups Other influencing factors: Education level Job/working conditions Age (younger people are more likely to vote Democrat) Residence (farms/suburbs-Republican, cities-Democrat, South/Midwest-Republican, North/West–Democrat) Marital status (married couples are more likely to vote Republican) Other patterns: About 2/3 Americans follow the same party as their parents 9/10 Americans share their spouse's political views Major events like the Civil War + Great Depression End Section 2 - White males - Protestants - Members of thebusiness community - College graduates - Higher income groups

7. Beginnings of the 2-party system Hamilton v. Jefferson:Their different views would lead to the creation of a 2 party political system

8. The political spectrum TakeLiberal/Conservative Quiz Party Platforms http://typology.people-press.org/typology/ End Section 3 RadicalLiberal Moderate ConservativeReactionary Favors extreme Believes that gov.’tSeeks to keepFavors extreme change to create must take action toin place thechange to restore an entirely new change economic,economic, political,society to an social systempolitical, + ideological + ideological,earlier state policies that may be unfairstructures of society Left Center Right POWERFUL Gov.’t WEAKER Gov.’t

9. The minor parties A minor party is one of the many political parties w/o wide voter support. Some are limited to a particular locale, state, or region while some try to spread across the country Most have been short-lived 4 types: Ideological – based on a particular set of beliefs (social, economic, + political) Single Issue – focus on 1 single issue Splinter – parties that split away from one of the major parties (most form around a strong personality then disappear when the leader steps aside) Types of Minor Parties Economic Protest – appear during times of economic unrest then disappear when the economic situation improves Ex. T. Roosevelt’s “Bull Moose” Progressive Party Ex. Socialist Libertarian Ex. The Populist Party Ex. Free Soil Party (opposed slavery) Right to Life Party (oppose abortion)

10. Why minor parties are important Can act as a “spoiler” in elections Critic + innovator – draw attention to issues the major parties tried to ignore - Ex. Women’s suffrage, progressive income tax, old-age pensions - When their proposal gains wide-spread support, one or both of the major parties, take it + make it their own + the party loses its importance. End Section 4

11. Party organization Both parties are decentralized + fragmented w/ internal bickering, although different offices of the same party often (but not always) cooperate w/ one another. There is no chain of command running from the national to the local level. The president serves as his party’s leader. The opposition has no leader.

12. Party machinery The national convention is the meeting that occurs every summer in a presidential election year to nominate the party’s president + v.p candidate. It also writes the party’s platform. In theory, the parties’ affairs are handled at meetings by the national committee + national chairperson b/w conventions. In reality, they have little power. Promotes party unity, raises $, recruits voters, + prepares for elections The congressional campaign committee works to elect members of their party into Congress.

13. The future of major parties The major parties have been declining since the 1960s. Factors in the decline of the major political parties Drop in the # of voters who identify themselves as Republican or Democrat Increase in split-ticket voting (voting for different parties for different offices in the same election) Greater internal conflict + disorganization Changes in technology, especially mass media, which makes it easier for candidates to “speak” directly to the electorate The growth of single-issue organizations End Section 5

14. The history of voting rights The framers of the Constitution deliberately left states the power to set up suffrage qualifications. Suffrage + franchise both mean the right to vote. When the Constitution went into effect in 1789, the electorate (potential voting population) was limited to white, male property owners. Ch 6 – Voters and Voter Behavior

15. Extending suffrage: • White, • Male • property • owners 1800s) Elimination of religious, property, + tax payment qualifications By mid 1800s, almost all white men could vote (1870) The 15th Amendment gave blacks the right to vote (many still denied the right) (1920) The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote (1960s) Federal legislation secured black voting rights The 23rd Amendment added D.C. voters to the presidential electorate The 24th Amendment eliminated the poll tax (1971) The 26th Amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote (states could set a lower age) The 5 stages End Section 1

16. Voter qualifications All states have the following requirements for voters: Citizenship Residence – must live in the state you’re voting in. Some states require you to live there up to 30 days before the election to vote there Age –18 or lower Other qualifications: Registration – all states except N. Dakota require voters to register to prevent voter fraud Literacy tests – used mostly to discriminate – BANNED Poll tax – used to discriminate – BANNED People banned from voting: Mentally incompetent, those convicted of serious crimes, + in some states, people dishonorably discharged from the military End Section 2

17. Tactics used to prevent blacks from voting after the 15th Amendment Violence, threats, intimidation Legally “White primaries” – outlawed by the Supreme Court (1944) Gerrymandering (drawing electoral district lines in order to limit the voting strength of a particular group or party) – outlawed by the Supreme Court in 1960 Poll taxes – banned by the 24th Amendment (1964) Literacy tests – banned by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 End Section 3

18. Non-voters In 2004, only about 55% of eligible people voted. Voter turnout is even worse in off-year elections (even-numbered years b/w presidential elections ex. 2006, 2010) The more local the election, the fewer people tend to vote Ex. More people vote for president than governor, more people vote for governor than mayor, etc…

19. Why people don’t vote: Nonvoters Cannot Vote Too ill/ physically disabled In a mental health facility In prison/ committed a major crime Discrimination other pressures Didn’t register Do Not Vote (Consistently) Those who believe no matter who wins the election, things will continue to go well for them + for the country Those who fear or scorn the system + believe elections are meaningless +/or choiceless Those who lack any feeling of influence or effectiveness – They don’t believe they have any impact Do Not Vote (Occasionally) Bad weather Long voting lines “Time zone fallout” Lack of interest (ignorant)

20. Characteristics of frequent voters Characteristics of non-voters Other trends in voting Higher levels of income, education, + occupational status Well integrated into community life Tend to be long-time residents who are active/comfortable w/ their surroundings Strong sense of party identification Under 35 Unmarried Unskilled Live in the south +/or rural areas Women are more likely to vote than men The more competitive the election, the more likely people are to vote

22. Party identification A majority of Americans identify themselves w/ one of the major parties + many never change their party affiliation Party identification is the single most significant + lasting predictor of how a person will vote. A person who is Democrat will very likely vote for all or most of that party’s candidates in any given election. Same w/ Republicans. Strait-ticket voting is the practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election Although still a major factor, party identification has lost some of its impact recently Split-ticket voting is the practice of voting for the candidates of more than one party in an election

23. Independents Independents are people who have no party affiliation (major or minor), but many actually support one of the major parties quite regularly. It’s estimated that 25-33% of voters are independents. Until recently, typical independents were less concerned, well informed, +/or politically active than Republicans or Democrats. “New” independents began appearing in the 1960s. They are often young w/ above average education, income, + job status. End Section 4

24. The nominating process Nomination is the naming of those who will seek office There are 5 ways which nominations are made in the US: Petition Self-announcement Caucus Conventions Direct Primary Ch 7 – The Electoral Process

25. Petition Self-announcement Caucus Requires signatures of qualified voters Used mostly at the local level The oldest form of the nominating process in the US. A person simply announces that they will be running for office (or due to modesty or local custom, may have someone make the announcement for them). Sometimes used by someone who failed to win a regular party nomination or is unhappy w/ the party’s choice. A group of like-minded people who meet privately to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming election. Used to be done in state legislatures by party – led to protests. Today used to make some local nominations (especially in New England) – but now open to all party members.

26. Convention Replaced the use of widespread caucuses. By 1832, all major party presidential candidates have been chosen by conventions. It began at the local level, by nominating local officials + choosing delegates to the county elections. At the county level, they nominate county officials + choose delegates to the state elections. At the state level, they nominate state officials + chose delegates to the national level. At the national level they nominate their party’s candidate for president + vice president. The system became corrupt at the local level – which spread up to the national level. This led to direct primaries replacing conventions in most states, but conventions are still used at the national level.

27. Direct primary Direct primaries are intra-party elections (they occur w/in the party). 45 states rely solely on this method for choosing candidates w/in the major parties for all major offices + many local as well. Most of these states regulate the primaries (not the political parties themselves). 2 types: In closed primaries only declared party members can vote. Voters must register as being either Republican or Democrat. 27 states use this. In open primaries any qualified voter can cast a ballot for either party, but not both. 23 states use this (including South Carolina).

28. The problems w/ primaries Lack of voter understanding – frustrated that they can’t vote in multiple parties, long ballots, + in closed primary states resentment that they have to declare which party they will vote for. Low voter turnout (usually less than ½ of the general election turnout) Costly – many well-qualified people don’t run for office Divides parties – Republicans + Democrats fight amongst themselves while campaigning in primaries + sometimes don’t recover in time for the general election Voter ignorance – usually pick the most familiar sounding name End Section 1

29. The administration of elections Democratic gov.’ts cannot succeed unless elections are free, honest, + accurate. In the US, Congressional elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November on even-numbered yrs. Presidential elections are every 4 yrs on the same day. Most elections for state offices are on the same day + local offices often are as well. Some states have the elections on odd years instead + local elections can vary widely.

30. If anyone is ill, disabled, or traveling they can vote by absentee ballot. Some states allow voters to cast their ballots up to several days prior to the election. But they can’t report results until election day Precincts are voting districts. They are the smallest geographic units for the conduct of elections End Section 2

31. Campaign spending What do political candidates spend $ on while campaigning? Newspaper/radio/tv ads + mass mailings Professional campaign managers + consultants Pamphlets/posters/buttons/bumper stickers Office rent Polls/data processing Travel Tv ads make up the largest % of campaign spending

32. Campaign funding Where do candidates get their $ from? 1. Private givers A. Small contributors B. Wealthy individuals C. The candidates D. Nonparty groups – especially PACs (Political Action Committees), the political arm of special-interest + other organizations E. Temporary organizations formed to help campaign + raise $ 2. Public funds - $ from the gov.’t Why do people/organizations donate $? They believe in a party/candidate They want access to the gov.’t They want appointments to public office They want social recognition They have policy aims

33. Regulating campaign donations The national gov.’t has passed laws regulating donations for candidates running for federal office, but doesn’t have the power to regulate campaign donations at the state + local level Every state has some campaign finance regulations The Federal Election Commission (FEC) administers all federal law dealing w/ campaign finance. Federal campaign finance laws aren’t very well enforced b/c the FEC is underfunded + understaffed. Laws under the FEC’s control: 1. The timely disclosure of campaign finance data 2. Limits on campaign contributions 3. Limits on campaign spending 4. Providing public funding for parts of the presidential election process

34. PACs Political Action Committees, the political arm of special-interest + other organizations. There are over 4,000 PACs registered w/ the FEC, including the PACs for the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, the American Trial Lawyers, etc PACs receive contributions from people + corporations, then combine them into large donations to candidates sympathetic to the PACs policy goals PACs cannot give more than $5,000 to a federal candidate for a primary election + another $5,000 for the general election, but can give to as many candidates as they wish PACs can give $15,000 a year to political parties

35. Hard money v. soft money Part of the difficulty regulating campaign funding is b/c of soft $ Hard $ is $ raised + spent to elect congressional + presidential candidates Soft $ is $ given to a party organization for “party-building activities” like candidate recruitment, voter registration, etc It is then filtered into presidential + congressional campaigns Federal laws didn’t place restrictions on soft $ until recently, but there are still many loopholes. End Section 3

36. Public opinion Public opinion are attitudes held by a significant # of people on matters of gov.’t + politics Family* Historic Events Education* What shapes public opinion? Opinion Leaders Mass Media Peer Groups Ch 8 – Mass Media and Public Opinion Basic beliefs that shape political opinions Political indoctrination People tend to associate w/ people who share their political values End Section 1

37. Determining public opinion Why do we need to measure public opinion? So that PUBLIC POLICY can reflect PUBLIC OPINION Or so politicians can get elected  How is public opinion determined? Elections Interest Groups (private organizations whose members share certain views + work to shape the making + content of public policy) The Media (could just be a vocal minority) Personal Contacts (meetings, letters, emails, calls, etc) Polls (The best measure IF done accurately)

38. The Art of Public Opinion Polls Some people feel the federal government should see to it that all people have adequate housing. Some people feel the federal government should see to it that all people have adequate housing, while others feel each person should provide his/her own housing. Which comes closest to how you feel about this? Some people feel each person should provide his/her own housing, while others feel the federal government should see to it that all people have adequate housing. Which comes closest to how you feel about this? Agree: 55.1% Disagree: 44.9% Gov.’t responsible: 44.6% Gov.’t not responsible: 55.4% Gov.’t responsible: 29.5% Gov.’t not responsible: 70.5%

39. Poll validity In order for a poll to be valid, the quality, not just the quantity, of people interviewed is important. The people interviewed must represent all necessary groups Ex. If taking a presidential poll, people of all ethnic, religious, geographic, social, economic, + educational backgrounds must be interviewed – also gender + age. Also of concern is the way the questions are worded. They must avoid words that are emotionally charged, difficult to understand, or leading. End Section 2

40. Mass media Mass media means of communication to a large # of people. Ex. tv, newspapers, radio, internet, magazines, books, + movies It influences politics most visibly in 2 areas: 1. The Public Agenda 2. Electoral Politics

41. The influence of mass media The public agenda - the societal problems that the nation’s political leaders + the general public agree need gov.’t attention. The media draws attention to various topics, they may emphasize some problems while downplaying others. Determines what people talk about + forces politicians to take notice. Electoral politics – have led to the decline of the major parties. W/ mass media, candidates can appeal directly to the people + aren’t as dependent on the party machinery for their nominations + campaigns. Candidates + politicians regularly try to manipulate media coverage to their advantage. They know good news stories take no more than 2 minutes + show them doing something interesting or exciting.

43. The limits of mass media’s influence Few people follow international, national, or local political events very closely. When people do pay some attention to politics, they often watch, listen, +/or read sources that generally agree w/ their own views + ignore the opposition. Few news shows air during prime time. Content is highly edited + usually only 60-90 seconds in length. End Section 3

44. Interest groups An interest group (a.k.a. pressure groups or advocacy groups) is a private organization that tries to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of its members. They wish to influence the making + content of public policy. They do that by lobbying (putting pressure on politicians). Protected by the Constitution. The 1st Amendment guarantees the rights to peacefully assemble + to petition the gov.’t Function at all levels of gov.’t (local – national). Ch 9 – Interest Groups

45. Differences b/w interest groups + political parties Both interest groups + political parties are groups made up of people who unite for some political purpose. However, they have 3 major differences: The making of nominations - Interest groups may support a candidate, but they do NOT nominate one. Their primary focus - Interest groups want to control or influence gov.’t policies while political parties want to win elections + control the gov.’t itself *So interest groups don’t have to worry about appealing to the largest # of people The scope of their interests - Interest groups are not concerned w/ the whole range of public affairs - Also, interest groups are private organizations

46. Functions of interest groups Stimulate interest in public affairs (issues + events that concern people at large) Unite members based on shared interests instead of geography Compete w/ one another to help keep policies balanced Positive Contributions of Interest Groups Provide useful, specialized, + detailed information to the gov.’t Keep a close watch on officials + public agencies Encourage + assist in political participation

47. Problems W/ Interest Groups Some have too much influence – their influence often depends more on their organization + finance than their size, importance, or contribution to public good It’s often difficult to tell just how many people a group represents – their titles often suggest that they represent many more people than they really do Many groups are dominated by an active minority who make the group’s policy decisions – their views may not reflect the views of all of the people they claim to represent Some groups use illegal +/or immoral tactics – such as bribery, threats of revenge, assembling misleading data, etc… End Section 1

48. Types of interest groups: 1. Economic Interest Groups Groups based on how people make their living. This is the most common type of interest group. The most active + effective are those representing business, labor, agriculture, + certain professional groups. The United States Brewers’ Association is the oldest organized group at work in national politics today – born in 1862. Trade associations are segments of the business community that have formed their own interest groups.(Ex. bankers, restaurateurs, etc) Labor unions are organizations of workers who share the same type of job or work in the same industry.(Ex. machinists, police, gov.’t employees, + etc) Over 10% of Americans belong to labor unions Agricultural groups have enormous influence on the gov.’t but farmers make up less than 2% of Americans. Professional groups aren’t usually as well organized or financed as business, labor, + farm groups 3 major exceptions National Education Association, the American Bar Association, + the American Medical Association.

49. 2. Interest Groups that Promote Causes, the Welfare of Certain Groups, +/or Religious Organizations Causes: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) fights in + out of court to protect civil + political rights. It works for major reforms in the political process. The League of Women Voters work to stimulate participation in + greater knowledge about public affairs. Other ex: the National Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Earth, the National Rifle Association. Some organizations fight for opposing causes like the National Right-to-Life Committee and Planned Parenthood. The Welfare of Certain Groups: Ex: Veterans of Foreign Wars, AARP, NAACP, etc Religious Organizations: Ex: The Christian Coalition, The American Jewish Congress, etc

50. 3. Public-Interest Groups Groups that seek to institute certain public policies of benefit to all or most people in this country, whether or not they belong to or support that organization. Ex. Environmental Groups Health Care Groups