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American Political Parties. Introduction. Three Arenas. What do you think of when you here the word “party?” The term “Political Party” has at least 3 different referents: A LABEL in the minds of voters A Set of LEADERS in government An ORGANIZATION that recruits and campaigns .
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American Political Parties Introduction
Three Arenas What do you think of when you here the word “party?” The term “Political Party” has at least 3 different referents: • A LABELin the minds of voters • A Set of LEADERS in government • An ORGANIZATIONthat recruits and campaigns
American Parties have Weakened • As labels more independents • As set of leaders Congress less under their control • As organizations much weaker since 1960’s Overall trend DECENTRALIZATION of power
Comparison to European Parties The Big Picture WEAKER • Our federal system decentralizes power • Parties closely regulated by state and federal laws • Candidates chosen through primaries, not party leaders • President chosen separately from Congress • Political culture: parties activities separate from other aspects of life Anyone ready to sign up for the Republican baseball team?
A Brief (oversimplified) History of The Two-Party System 1787 Federalists Federalists Whigs Republicans • Anti-Federalists • (Democratic) Republicans • Democrats • Democrats Party? Party? 1796 1836 1860 Today
General Development of Presidential Nominating Process Caucuses National Conventions Party Primaries Founding Period Jacksonian Era Reform Reform Era Reform