Political Parties

Political Parties Functions

Political Parties • Today many Americans take pride in their status as “independent” voters • Some see parties as lacking a vision for the country

Political Parties • Since many people think that each of the major parties only cares about defeating or humiliating the other, they avoid identification as a “loyal Democrat” or a “staunch Republican”

Political Parties • These negative attitudes toward parties are rooted in the roles that political parties play in American politics

Political Parties • In most democracies political parties are important institutions that link citizens to their government

Political Parties • The founders of the U.S. political system hoped to avoid the “mischief” of political factions when they envisioned a government with enough points of influence to make parties necessary

Political Parties • James Madison reflected this in Federalist #10 • Political factions are necessary evils to be controlled by federalism and separation of powers

Political Parties • Founders still believed that political parties such as those that dominated British politics could and should be avoided at all costs

Political Parties • Political parties appeared almost as soon as the new government was created with their origins in the disagreements between two of Washington’s cabinet members • Thomas Jefferson & Alexander Hamilton

What are the functions of political parties in the American political system?

Functions of Parties • (1) Connecting citizens to their government • (2) Running candidates for political office • (3) Informing the public • (4) Organizing the government

Connecting Citizens to their Gov • Parties are one of several linkage institutions • Connect people in a large democracy to the government

Connecting Citizens to their Gov • In any country with a population large enough to form a representative democracy, institutions that link people to government are a necessity

Connecting Citizens to their Gov • Party ideology and organization increase political efficacy • Helps citizens to make sense of government decision & processes; makes people feel that government listens to them

Connecting Citizens to their Gov • Modern linkage institutions include: • Interest Groups • Media • Elections • PoliticalParties

Running Candidates for Political Office • Parties pick policymakers and run campaigns • Most elected officials (local, state, national level) run as nominees of a major political party

Running Candidates for Political Office • Whereas wealth certainly helps, most candidates rely on the party organization to coordinate & fund their political campaigns

Informing the Public • Parties articulate policies • Give cues to voters

Informing the Public • Although both major parties are by necessity broadly based, they each convey an image & endorse policies that help voters decide which candidates to support

Organizing the Government • Parties often coordinate government policymaking that would be more fragmented among the three branches & the local, state, and federal levels

Organizing the Government • Informal relationships between officials in different parts of government but with similar partisan ties can make policymaking go more smoothly

Review Questions: • In Federalist #10, what system did James Madison advocate in order to control factions? • What are the 4 functions of American political parties?

Political Parties