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Political Parties Intro

VS. Political Parties Intro. Political Party – DEFINED!!!. Anthony Downs: “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.”

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Political Parties Intro

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  1. VS Political Parties Intro

  2. Political Party – DEFINED!!! • Anthony Downs: “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.” • Edmund Burke: “an organized assembly of men, united for working together for the national interest, according to the particular principle they agreed upon.”

  3. Basic Types of Party Systems • One-Party Systems • The party IS the government • Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea • Formerly Afghanistan • Iraq under Sadaam • Multi-Party Systems • Many INFLUENTIAL parties • Germany - ~6 • Sweden - ~7 • Two-Party SystemS • Two MAIN parties – may be countless minor parties/candidates • Ummm, us here in the US

  4. Tasks of the Party • Recruit Candidates • Decide who we get to vote for • Educate the Public • Tell us ideas and why we should like them • Operate the Government • Run the government and get ideas in motion • Dispense “Patronage” • Help the people that helped you get there • Loyal Opposition • Represent those NOT represented by majority • Reduction of Conflict • Compromise so the government can work

  5. “Downs Model” – Rational Party As shown in ideology quiz, the people are in the middle, so parties must also come to the center

  6. Parties in History: 1796-1824 • Federalist Paper Author James Madison warns of “evils of faction” • Father of our Country George Washington cautions as to the “baneful effects of the spirit of party” • Promptly descend into Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans • Post-Adams, Federalists fade due to poor organization

  7. 1828-1856 • D-R drops the R and becomes the Democrats • Van Buren posits that opposition is necessary to keep the party true to its own principles – loyal opposition represents parts of society that the other party misses • Opposed by Whigs

  8. 1860-1928 • Slavery issue splits parts off of both parties • Republicans emerge, collect splinters under anti-slavery banner • Starting with Lincoln, Republicans control basically to the Depression

  9. 1932-1964 • Democrats gain control and largely hold it until ‘68 • Built on the ideals of Liberalism – more government to help those who need it

  10. 1968-Present • Nixon – first 20th century president to enter office without control of Congress • Brief periods of alignment (such as part of W’s presidency) • Many of today’s voters lack strong party loyalty – frankly we get bored of the current party and want something new • Let’s look at some voter turnout stuff . . .

  11. Voting Statistics Voter Turnout in the United States 2012 – 57.5% (93 million eligible voters did not vote) 2008 – 63.3% 2004 – 60.4% 2000 – 54.2% Minnesota – Highest voter turnout in the nation – 74.6% Hawaii – Lowest Voter turnout in the nation – 43.6% Minnesota-Highest voter turnout in 12/16 past elections Minnesota’s highest voter turnout: 2004 – 78.4% Why? -Same-Day Voter Registration -Raises Awareness-Civic Culture -Vibrant Political Scene

  12. Voter/citizen Participation in Change Recall: A procedure in which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote. Referendum: When voters rather than the legislature vote on an issue. Initiative: A method by which citizenspropose (initiate) an amendment or a law. Ordinance: Legislation (laws) enacted by local governments. (i.e. cities, towns, villages, etc.)

  13. Quick look at some international data . . . Percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in all Parliamentary elections from 1945-2001 -From IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance)

  14. Graph of previous data

  15. Voter Registration by State (All US data courtesy of Census Bureau, from 2004 election data)

  16. Graph of Voter Registration

  17. Actual Voting %

  18. Actual Voting %

  19. Difference between registration and actual voting percentage

  20. Graph of the Difference

  21. US Age Demographic Data

  22. Graph of Age data

  23. Graph of Racial Breakdowns

  24. So . . . • American Voter turnout stinks • What can be done about it? • Referendum, Recall, Initiative • Should driving up turnout be a goal?

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