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Political Parties—broad based organizations that exist at the local, state, and national levels

Political Parties—broad based organizations that exist at the local, state, and national levels. Functions (roles) that parties play: Connecting citizens (the electorate) to their government (linkage institution)

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Political Parties—broad based organizations that exist at the local, state, and national levels

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  1. Political Parties—broad based organizations that exist at the local, state, and national levels • Functions (roles) that parties play: • Connecting citizens (the electorate) to their government (linkage institution) • Parties articulate and endorse policies that help voters decide which candidates to support.

  2. Functions of parties (cont.) • Running candidates for office • Most candidates at all levels rely on parties to coordinate and fund their political campaigns • Organizing the government • Majority/minority parties; Speaker of the House; majority and minority leaders; appointed positions in the executive branch

  3. Party Structure • National Committee—delegates from each state who manage affairs between each convention • National Chairman—chosen by the committee; manages daily work of the party; “face” of the party • Congressional Campaign Committee—helps with election and re-election of members to Congress

  4. Critical Elections and Realignments • Voters tend to identify with the party in power if things are going well, leading to that party continuing to win elections, leading to party eras. • Sometimes new issues arise, major events take place, and/or party coalitions start to shift. • This can cause a party realignment that starts with a critical election.

  5. Examples of realignments • 1860—Lincoln is elected—slavery and civil war issues led to a Republican era • 1932—FDR elected after stock market crash, during the Depression—led to the New Deal coalition (Democrats), which lasted until 1994 • Dealignment—party loyalty is not as strong as it once was. This has led to split ticket voting (instead of straight party voting). Party eras may be over. More independent voting has led to more divided government.

  6. Party Ideology (philosophy) • See party platforms

  7. Third Parties • Single issue—”one plank” platform • Example: marijuana legalization • Ideological—wants a completely different way of governing -Example: Socialist or Libertarian • Splinter—breaks off from a major party -Example: 1948-Strom Thurmond broke off from the Democratic Party to form States Rights party (anti civil rights)

  8. Third Parties • Third party candidates have a harder time winning elections due to strict election laws in most states: • The Democratic and Republican candidates are automatically on the ballot simply by being nominated by one of the two main parties • Third party candidates can get on the ballot only by getting a certain number of names on a petition from that particular state • Third parties can qualify for federal campaign funds only if they get 5% of the vote in the previous election

  9. What role do third parties play? • Bring attention to issues that major parties may be ignoring • Serve as spoilers in the election

  10. 2000 Presidential General Election Results - Florida

  11. Third Parties • www.politics1.com • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw1Aji8FzJc • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVRevKOtSh0

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