Chapter 5 Political Parties

1. Chapter 5Political Parties

2. Section 1—Parties and What They Do • What is a political party? • Some are “issue” or “principle” oriented • Some are oriented toward winning elections. • What Do Parties Do? • They are the medium for presenting opinions to the people. • They are a link between the governed and those who govern. • They work to blunt conflicts—Power Brokers

3. Section 1—Parties and What They Do • What Do Parties Do? (cont.) • Nominating Candidates (recruiting and choosing) • Informing and Activating Supporters • The Bonding Agent Function (screening) • Governing—”partisanship” • Acting as Watchdog • “ins and “outs” • Loyal Opposition

4. Section 2—The Two-Party System

5. Section 2—The Two-Party System • Earl Dodge: six time presidential candidate • Why a Two-Party System? • Regional one-party presence at times • The Historical Basis • Federalists and anti-federalists • Hamilton vs. Jefferson • Washington: warned against “the baneful effects of the spirit of party.”

6. Section 2—The Two-Party System • Why a Two-Party System? (cont.) • The Force of Tradition • Long acceptance “that is just the way it is.” • The Electoral System • Single-member districts • Plurality—largest number of votes cast • Bipartisan nature discourages minor parties • Non-major party candidates in only 7 elections

7. Section 2—The Two-Party System • Why a Two-Party System (cont.) • The American Ideological Consensus • Pluralistic Society—many cultures and groups • Consensus—on most fundamental matters • Middle-of-the-road tendency

8. Section 2—The Two-Party System • Multiparty Systems • Many European nations • Must build coalitions • One-Party Systems • Really no-party • 1/3 of the States are mostly one-party

9. Section 2—The Two-Party System • Party Membership Patterns • Cross section • Democrats—African Americans, Catholics, Jews, Union members, etc. • Republicans—white males, Protestants, business community, etc. • Disrupting events can change patterns: • Civil War • Great Depression

10. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History • The Nation’s First Parties • Federalist—Alexander Hamilton • Anti-Federalists under Thomas Jefferson. Became Jeffersonian Republicans; later Democratic Republicans; and then Democrats. • Jefferson defeated the incumbent Adams in 1800.

11. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History • American Parties: Four Major Eras • The Era of the Democrats, 1800-1860 • Federalists disappear by 1816 • Era of Good Feelings • Split into factions • National Republican party (Whigs) emerges • Whigs fall apart • Democrats split into North and South • 1856 the Republicans emerge from previous Whigs and some Democrats.

12. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History • American Parties: Four Major Eras • The Era of the Republicans, 1860-1932 • Democrats held the “Solid South.” • McKinley’s victory in 1896 solidified party • Only interruptions were Cleveland and Wilson

13. Section 3—The Two-Party System in American History • American Parties: Four Major Eras • The Return of the Democrats, 1932-1968 • Great Depression/Roosevelt • Social Welfare programs/New Deal • The Start of a New Era, 1968-2005 • Divided government

14. Section 4—The Minor Parties • Minor Parties in the United States • Ideological Parties • Socialist, Socialist Labor, Socialist Worker, and Communist. • Libertarian • Single Issue Parties • Free Soil—opposed slavery • American or Know Nothing Party—opposed Irish immigration. • Right to Life Party—opposes abortion

15. Section 4—The Minor Parties • Minor Parties in the United States • Economic Protest Parties • Greenback Party • Populist Party of the 1890s • Splinter Parties • Bull Moose Party of 1912 • LaFollette’s Progressive Party • States’ Rights (Dixiecrats) • American Independent Party of George Wallace • Green Party with Ralph Nader

16. Section 4—The Minor Parties • Why Minor Parties Are Important • Anti Masonic Party had first convention in 1831. • Spoiler role of Teddy Roosevelt, Ralph Nader and Ross Perot • They highlight important issues • Income tax, women’s rights, voting

17. Section 5—Party Organization • The Decentralized Nature of the Parties. • The Role of the Presidency • The Impact of Federalism • Over 500,000 elective offices in America • The Role of the Nominating Process

18. Section 5—Party Organization • National Party Machinery • The National Convention • The National Committee • The National Chairperson • The Congressional Campaign Committees

19. Section 5—Party Organization • State and Local Party Machinery • The State Organization • Local Organization • Wards • Precinct

20. Section 5—Party Organization • The Three Components of the Party • The party organization-leaders, activists, contributors, hanger’s on • The party in the electorate-loyal voters • The party in government-officeholders

21. Section 5—Party Organization • The Future of the Major Parties • Decline in party “identification.” • Increase in split-ticket voting • Open reforms have led to internal conflict and disorganization. • Changes in technology • Growth of single-issue organizations