Gov’T v . Politics

1. Gov’Tv. Politics

2. What is a political party? • A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding of public office. There are two major political parties in the United States – Democrats & Republicans

3. Two Party System • Since the beginning of our Nation we have had a two party system. In the beginning they were called Federalist and Anti-Federalist. The electoral system points in that direction. • From the President all the way down to local levels we operate in what is known as a single-member district. This concept is a winner take all or whoever obtains the most votes wins. • This policy generally discourages minor political parties.

4. Multiparty systems • Most of Europe has what is known as a multiparty system. There are many parties with different interests seeking the same office. • Americans tend to be, for the most part, an ideologically homogenous people. In other words we basically share the same pattern of beliefs. • The American ideological consensus and our single member districts makes a multiparty system nearly impossible.

5. Political instability • Since one party, in a multiparty system, is often unable to win a majority of the votes, the governing is done on a shared basis (coalition). This sharing of power tends to lead to problems when disagreements cause parties to move toward or away from each other they dissolve. • Italy, for example, has had governments change hands once every nine months (on average) since the end of World War II.

6. One Party Systems • One party systems occur in dictatorships, when the single party nominates the candidate(s) and the people get to vote for them.

7. Membership in parties • Membership in parties is voluntary, and one can change parties as he or she wishes. In most districts your party affiliation allows you to vote in primaries. • People normally will affiliate with the overall philosophy of that party. We will discuss party beliefs in a future lecture.

8. Political party identification • Over the last fifty years party affiliation has changed. • In 1964 (53%) of the population was Democrat, (25%) Republican, and (22%) Independent. • In 1994 (32%) of the population was Democrat, (33%) Republican, and (35%) Independent.

9. The two party system in history • The first parties in the United States formed during George Washington’s administration. • They became a force in the election of 1796 and have played a major role in every election since then.

10. Minor political parties • Minor political parties have enjoyed little success, but have had an impact on the thinking of the political system. • Minor parties tend to fall into four categories. • Ideological Parties (beliefs) • Single Issue Parties • Economic Protest Parties • Splinter Parties • Major parties simply adopt the minor parties ideas thus negating the need for a minor parties.

11. Party Organization • National, State and local branches of each party are only thinly connected. The goal of electing officials requires different actions at different levels. • The national party machinery is generally devoted to trying to fill national offices and organizing the national convention. • State organizations are devoted to looking after the parties’ interest in the States. Local organizations vary widely in structure tending to be most active during election time