American Political Parties

1. American Political Parties Our Two-Party System History and Functions

2. Today’s Objectives • Explain the organization of political parties • Identify the various types of 3rd Parties • Explain realignment/dealignment • Identify the purpose of Political Parties • Explain the origins of the 2-Party System in the US

3. Parties in the US • Parties are present in 3 Arenas • Label • Organization(recruit, campaign) • Leadership/Control of Government • *** Parties have lost power in all three arenas • Definition • Group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label by which they are known to the electorate. (AKA Party Identification)

4. Decentralization of Party Power • ****All politics are local******** • Candidates are chosen through primaries not by party leaders • Federalism decentralizes power..how? • National parties used to be a coalition of local parties. • Now Parties organize at all levels

5. Rise and Fall of Parties • Jefferson vs. Hamilton/Adams • Caucuses of political nobles • Philosophical clubs/not mass associations • Early domination by Democratic/Republicans • Disliked by Washington/ • Needed by others to distinguish between policy disputes and challenges to a legitimate gov’t • EX Jefferson and Alien Sedition Acts

6. History of Parties • 1836 Democrats Hold first National Convention to Nominate their Presidential Candidate. • Civil War to Great Depression • Politics based on Sectionalism • Factions emerge (Progressives) • Parties were formed as coalitions for victory not homogeneous groups. Today? • 1820’s mass participation begins • 1832 – presidential electors are chosen by popular vote in most states

7. Progessive Era Reforms • 17th Amendment • Effects • Eliminated the worst forms of political corruption • Weakened Parties • How? • Office Holders Accountable to people not parties as much • Progressives worked to curb the power of political machines • Favored primaries • Voter registration requirements become strict • Civil Service Exam • Intro of referendums/initiatives.

8. Party Structure • Congressional Campaign Committees support the party’s candidates • National Party Chair manages day to day work of the Party • www.dnc.org • www.gop.org • Both parties are similar on paper • National Convention and Formal Power • Meets every 4 years to nominate presidential candidates • Composed of Delegates from states

9. Party Structure • DNC • Factionalized • Redistribution of power • McGovern Reforms • Women • Youth • Minorities • RNC • More bureaucratic • Discipline • Well-financed party • Especially in Congressional Elections • Computer Fundraising / Data Bases

10. National Conventions • Democrats give more delegates to the West and Northeast. • The Party in Power (executive branch) goes last. • Post Convention bump • National committee sets the time and place • # of delegates per states (GOP loyalty, Dems size) • GOP gives more delegate to the South and Southwest

11. Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000 ThirdParties • Any party other than the twomajor parties can be called a “Thirdparty.” • No third party has ever gained control of the White House. Sometimes, third parties win seats in Congress or gain office in lower levels of government. • When these smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections. • Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues.

12. Ideological Third Parties • An ideology is a body of ideas put forth by a person or group. • Minor third parties are often formed to support a specific issue. These rise and fall over time. • Ideological parties want to change society in major ways. • The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Green Party calls for companies to respect the environment.

13. Cult of Personality • Some third parties form from the efforts of famous people. • If they cannot gain support from one of the major parties, they form their own. • H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party was a force in the 1992 and 1996 elections. This party also placed pro wrestler Jesse Ventura in the governor’s mansion in Minnesota. • These parties usually fade after their candidate is defeated.

14. The Odds Are Against Them • It is difficult for third parties candidates to raise enough money to compete with the major parties. • Only one candidate can win in a given district. Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican. • Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures to even be placed on the ballot for national office.

15. Parties Move Towards The Center • Aplatform is astatement that puts forth the party's positions on issues. Each individual issue is called a plank. • Both parties want votes. As a result, parties become more moderate in their platforms, moving away fromextreme positions. • The American people generally agree about many issues. This unity forces the two parties toward the center of the political spectrum.

16. Types of Parties or Political Followings • Ideological • Solidary groups • Sponsored Parties • Personal Following-name recognition • Kennedys/Bushs

17. 2-Party System • Rare today • Why in America? • 1) Electoral System/winner take all and plurality system • 2) Moderate opinions • 3) Election Laws

18. Realignment • What is it? • When major shifts in the population SWITCH parties • Examples? • Jackson Era • Civil War (Sectionalism) • New Deal • Post Civil Rights Era

19. Dealignment • What is it? • Why? • Voters are moving away from both parties/call themselves Independent • Benefits of party membership?