1 / 17

Party Structure Today

Party Structure Today. Chapter 9, Theme B. Parties Similar on Paper. National Conventions nominate the presidential candidates every 4 yrs. National Committee is composed of delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions.

ginny
Download Presentation

Party Structure Today

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Party Structure Today Chapter 9, Theme B

  2. Parties Similar on Paper • National Conventions nominate the presidential candidates every 4 yrs. • National Committee is composed of delegates from states to manage affairs between conventions. • Congressional campaign comm. Work to get party members elected. • National Chairs manage day-to-day work. • DNC Debbie Wasserman Schultz http://www.democrats.org/about/bio/rep_debbie_wasserman_schultz • RNC ReincePriebushttp://www.gop.com/our-party/leadership/reince-priebus/

  3. Political Party Structure

  4. RNC vs. DNC • RNC moved to bureaucratic structure and as a result was able to well-finance party and elect congressional candidates, later Presidential candidates, too. (WAR CHEST) • DNC factionalized structure and redistributed power. • RNC used computerized mailing lists • A national firm of political consultants • Both parties once sent money to state parties to side-step FEC…soft money • Soft money is now banned (BCRA)

  5. National Conventions • National Committee sets time & place • Why are the locations important? • Issue a “call” setting the number of delegates for ea. State & rules of selection using complex formulas. • Dem. Formula shift (To N & W) • Rep. Formula shift (To S & SW) • Results? Dem. More left, Rep. more right

  6. National Conventions • DNC formula…reward large sts. • RNC formula…reward loyal sts. • REFORMS: • DNC 1970s rules weakened local parties to give strength to minorities at convention • Hunt Commission in 1981 gave more influence to superdelegateshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUL5TgyUrC0 RESULTS: • Parties represent different sets of upper middle classes…Rep. traditional middle class is more conservative, Dem. New middle class is more liberal & educated

  7. National Conventions • In the 1980’s, Dem. Party feared not being competitive with Rep. Party • Superdelegates’ numbers increased • Sp. Interest Groups’ numbers decreased • 1992 rules punished states that break rules.

  8. National Conventions • Why are national conventions no longer as important to the candidates? • Why has the primary & caucus replaced this tradition? • Besides nominating the party’s candidate, the party develops & writes the plans to the platform.

  9. http://www.democrats.org/

  10. http://www.gop.com/

  11. Political Machines • What is a political machine? • Always use incentives. • Thrived before the Civil Service System was created due to patronage. • Historical Examples: • Tammany Hall’s Boss Tweed • The Hatch Act, Voter education & Progressive reforms helped to end most of these machines.

  12. The Two-Party System • Rarity among nations today • Evenly balanced nationally, not locally • Why such a permanent feature? • Electoral system-winner-take-all and plurality system • Opinions of voters-two broad coalitions work, although times of bitter dissent • State laws have made it very difficult for third parties to get on the ballot • Single member districts

  13. Types of Third or Minor Parties • Ideological Parties • Comprehensive, radical view; most enduring • Examples: Socialist, Communist, Libertarian • One-Issue Parties • Address one concern, avoid others • Examples: Free Soil, Know-Nothing, Prohibition • Usually absorbed by a major party

  14. Types of Third or Minor Parties • Economic Protest Parties • Regional, protest economic conditions • Examples: Greenback, Populist • Factional or Splinter Parties • From split in a major party • Examples: Bull Moose, Henry Wallace, American Independent

  15. Why have 3rd parties been unsuccessful? • Voting for a third party is like throwing away a vote • Voting for a third party is wasting a vote • Plurality & winner-take-all systems • Lack of national support-often regional

  16. Legal Obstacles to 3rd Parties • Getting on the ballot • Need % of voters on petition to get on ballot…Must do in nearly all states • Federal Campaign Finance Laws • 5% of vote to get Federal Funds • Limits on donations & spending • Electoral College • Winner Take All system • Single Member Districts • Excluded From National debates

  17. Impacts of Third Parties • Bring new ideas & issues to forefront • Allows a voice for the fringe and discontent • Enhances participation • Makes two main parties broaden appeal • Makes two main parties address issues and take positions

More Related