Political Parties

1. Political Parties

2. Just what is a political party? • Can you name 4 political parties? • Where would you place these parties on the political spectrum?

3. What is a Party? Apolitical partyis a group of people who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. The two major partiesin American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties. Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented. The American parties are election-oriented.

4. What do Parties Do? • Nominate—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. • Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates. • Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.

5. As you reflect on your research on Minor Parties, Please 1.Describe the Party, 2.Compare the Party to something else, and 3.finally argue for or against the party…. For Example…If I studied the Communist Party… I would say: The Communist Party is a party that believes in the revolution of the working class into a classless society where all workers unite. It could be compared to anarchy because they believe that no one should be the leader of a society. Finally, I argue that the Communist Party is a positive force for democracy because they believe everyone is given a fair and equal chance and all resources are equally divided among the people.

14. Questions to consider… Who is the barber? Why do the perceptions of the mom and dad differ? Do these perceptions match today’s reality?

15. Different Manifestations of Party:The Party As… Ahnold says “wote weepub- lican!” • A Label… • An electorate… • An organization… • A set of leaders (run government) Parties are on the march! President Hillary…I like that!

16. Why is there a two Party System? • The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. • The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party systembecause it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

17. Additional reasons for two Party System… • Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States.

19. Factors that influence Party Membership

20. The First Political Parties Federalists • Led by Alexander Hamilton • Represented wealthy and upper-class interests • Favored strong executive leadership and liberal interpretation of the Constitution Anti-Federalists • Led by Thomas Jefferson • Represented the “common man” • Favored Congress as the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

21. Party Systems • One-Party; totalitarian, undemocratic • Bi-party; less choice, lots of stability • Multi-party; more choice, less stability • Problem of coalition government • US and England = Bi-party • Italy and Israel = Multi-party

22. Presidential Election Process and Third Parties • 1. Who is Ross Perot? • 2. What challenges do third parties face in the electoral process? • 3. How does the media impact presidential elections? • 4. Do you agree or disagree that Americans are an overindulged people? Why??

23. History of American Parties The Founding Founders disliked factionalism First organized party was the followers of Jefferson, Republicans (not like they are defined today, more our present day Democratic party) Followers of Hamilton kept the name Federalists

24. The Era of the Democrats 1800—1860 • Democratsdominate all but two presidential elections. • TheWhigParty emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents. • The Republican Party is founded in 1854 on the basis of clear cut opposition to slavery. • Democratic party split because of the issue.

25. Economic Realignment1896 • Realignment-lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties • Depression hit farmers in the Midwest and the South • Prices paid to farmers was declining • Led to the development of the Green backers and the Populists • (Economic Protest Parties)

26. History Continued… The Era of the Republicans, 1860—1932 • Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections. • The Civil War disabled the DemocraticParty for the remainder of the 1800s.

27. Party Realignment or Critical Elections • Alternation of one party dominance to the other party • Critical Elections-sharp, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one of both parties • The issues that separate the parties change and so do the party supporters • 5 critical realignments in history • (1800, 1828, 1860, 1896, 1932) • Critical realignment for the Republicans in ’94? Or party dealignment (due to weakened PP’s)?

28. The Third Era The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968 • Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. • Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times. • The New Deal takes off!

29. What is the current party situation? • Factionalize within selves-distribute power and loose elections • Initiative and Referendum take away power of party and bring more power to the people • Dems have become more liberal • Repubs have become more conservative • Primaries especially to secure the “regulars” • Aim toward the middle during the general elections

30. Minor Parties in the United States Types of Minor Parties Splinter Party Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive Party-against patronage system Economic Protest Parties Example: The Greenback Party-against gov’t regulation of $ Ideological Parties Example: Libertarian Party-rights of the individual Single-issue Parties Example: Free Soil Party-eliminate slavery

31. Why are Minor Parties important? Minor parties play several important roles: “Spoiler Role” Critic Innovator

32. The Decentralized Nature of the Parties Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented. Why?

33. Minor Parties in the United States

34. Reasons for Party Decline • Mistrust of Government • Independents (Divided Government) • Split Ticket Voting • “Open” Primaries • Technology • End of Patronage • All of the above leads to… • Electoral Independence!!

35. The Rise of Independent Voters…

36. Mistrust of Government

37. Gerrymander Done EVERY ten years and controlled by State Legislatures…that are controlled by…You guessed it, a POLITICAL PARTY!

38. How does the U.S. Compare to Europe? • In Europe people pay dues and go to meetings • US vote with party representation • No primary system in Europe-party leaders put you on the ballot • No parliamentary system in U.S. • No federalism in Europe • Majority in Europe to win election-will keep having run-off elections to determine a winner • Plurality in U.S. to win election (winner take all)

39. Party Platform Differences • The Political Parties are NOT the same. They are supported by different types of people who feel differently on issues. Bills in Congress reflect party-line voting at least 90% of the time! If there wasn’t a “dimes worth of difference” between the parties, this would not be the case.

40. What is a Political Platform? • States the main ideas of the party • Explains why it was started, stance on main issues and current agenda

42. State and Local Party Machinery • State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually follow the general principles below.

43. Party Components The Party Organization: Those who run and control the party machinery. The Party in the Electorate Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates. The Party in Government Those who hold office in the government. The Three Components of the Party

44. More on the Future… For candidates: • Structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties • Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization • The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates with another source of financial support

45. To summarize the info we learned today… • Create a one sentence summary using the following prompt…. • A___________is a kind of______________ that__________________. • ___________happens because________________.