Political Parties II

1. Political PartiesII

2. History of Political Parties • The Formative Years: Federalists and Anti-Federalists • The Era of Good Feelings • James Monroe, a Democratic-Republican, won election • An era of little partisan activity (1816-1828) • An Era of Two Party Rivalry • Rise of Democrats and Whigs • Democrats • Andrew Jackson • Standing for popular rule • Standing for the aspirations of the common man

3. History of Political Parties • An Era of Two Party Rivalry • Rise of Democrats and Whigs • Democrats • Whigs • A coalition of bankers, merchants, southern planters • Opposed to Jacksonian democracy • Winning two presidential elections in 1840 and 1854 • Civil War and Partisan Politics • Birth of Republican Parties • Created in 1854 • Against extension of slavery into territories

4. History of Political Parties • Civil War and Partisan Politics • Birth of Republican Parties • Created in 1854 • Against extension of slavery into territories • Founding members: • A group of Whigs • Free-Soilers • Anti-slavery democrats • Replaced Whig as an alternative party to Democrats • Grand Old Party

5. History of Political Parties • The Post-Civil War Period • The Triumph of the Republicans • 9 Republican Presidents out of 12

6. History of Political Parties • The Progressive Interlude • 1912-1920 • Democratic Party in control of White House • Standing for government intervention of economy • The New Deal Era • 20 year Democratic control of WH (28-48) • An Era of Divided Government • In the years after 1968, the general pattern was often a Republican president and a Democratic Congress. • 2000 Presidential Election (Red state-blue state)

7. Election 1896

8. Election 2004

9. The Two Major Parties Today • The parties’ core constituents • Economic beliefs • Government intervention • Free enterprise and free market • Taxation • Groups behind the parties • Democrats have the reputation of supporting the less-well-off, and Republicans the prosperous. • Issues and Concerns

11. The Three Faces of a Party 1- Party loyalists The people who identify with the party or who regularly vote for the candidates of the party in general elections 2-Party activists and leaders • National • Convention delegates • National Committee • National Chairperson • State party organizations • Local party organizations

12. Three Faces of a Party (cont.) 3-The Party in Government • Divided Government • Different parties in control of WH and Congress • The Limits of Party Unity • Voting along party line not ensured • Party Polarization

13. Why Has the Two Party System Endured? • Often, on major issues confronting the country there have been two clear sides. This duality helped to initiate a two-party system and has maintained this system through the present. • Political socialization and practical considerations • The Winner-Take-All Electoral System • Presidential Voting • Popular Election of the Governors and President • Proportional Representation • State and Federal Laws Favoring the Two Parties

14. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics • Ideological Third Parties • Splinter Parties • The Impact of Minor Parties • Influencing the Major Parties • Affecting the Outcome of an Election

15. Most Successful Third Party Campaigns

17. Mechanisms of Political Change • Realignment: a process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape. • The Myth of Dominance • The Myth of Predictability • Is Realignment Still Possible? • Dealignment: a major drop-off in support for the parties. • Independent Voters • Not-So-Independent Voters

18. Party Identification: 1937-Present