Understanding the Two-Party System in US Politics

1. Political Party - group of persons who seek to control gov’t by winning elections and holding office US 2 MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES - Republican and Democrat Each party is a COALITION = union of many persons of diverse interests who join together to get candidate elected to public office. Parties are mechanisms that: 1. develop broad policy 2. develop leadership choices 3. present options to people Link between people & their gov’t Parties bring: conflicting groups together modify and compromise contending views unify people

2. 5 MAJOR FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY PARTIES 1. NOMINATING FUNCTION Name candidates for office gather support for candidate 2. INFORMER-STIMULATOR FUNCTION Parties educate people and get them excited in their interest and participation in public affairs Other groups – Media and Interest Groups They CAMPAIGN take stand on issues criticize candidates and position of opponent They INFORM PEOPLE (to parties advantage) Ex. educating by: pamphlets, signs, buttons, stickers, ads, radio, TV, speeches, rallies, conventions - INTERNET.

3. 5 MAJOR FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY PARTIES 3. “SEAL OF APPROVAL” FUNCTION Party approves candidate Choosing one that is qualified and of good character and perform duties well 4. GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION US described as gov’t by party (Those who govern are chosen by party) Parties also provide a basis for the conduct of gov’t Under separation of powers, party is major agent through which executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other. 5. WATCH DOG FUNCTION Parties act as watchdogs over the conduct of the public’s business. This is the particular function of party OUT OF OFFICE or power Criticizes policies and behavior of party in power

4. Two Party System Minor party - less supported in political system US has a 2 party system = Republican/ Democrat 4 FACTORS EXPLAIN WHY US HAS AND CONTINUES TO HAVE A 2 PARTY SYSTEM 1. HISTORICAL BASIS - Framers opposed parties Began when nation started: Federalist/ Anti-Federalists Became country’s 1st 2 party in the debate over ratification (Federalists papers) 2. FORCE OF TRADITION Most Americans accept 2 party system b/c always has been that way Minor parties have a little headway.

5. Two Party System 3. ELECTORAL SYSTEM Promote 2 party system Single member district preserve 2 party system State elections laws are deliberately written to discourage minor parties. WINNER TAKES ALL ELECTION PLURALITY = largest number of votes Plurality need NOT be majority 4. AMERICAN IDEOLOGICAL CONSENSUS US is a pluralistic society (several distinct cultures and groups) Americans tend to agree on fundamental issues = CONSENSUS American’s major political parties tend to take MODERATE stand in order to attract the largest possible number of votes.

6. MULTIPARTY SYSTEM - exist mostly in Europe Parties represent a wide variety of : class, religion, and political interests Each parties representation in legislation depends on the number of votes received. ex. 15% of votes = 15% of legislative seats Often making government unstable To reduce number of parties, countries passed a law requiring minimum % of votes before gaining representation ex. Germany& Greece 5% In America, institutional and ideological factors make multiparty system unlikely. ONE PARTY SYSTEM - Dictatorship Traditionally in US - many areas were dominated by 1 party. ex. Delaware, OH = Republicans 2 party competition is spreading.

7. Linkage Institution Linkage institutions (elections, political parties, interest groups, media) translate inputs from the public into outputs from the policymakers. Tasks performed by parties as linkage institutions 1. Parties pick policy makers - Nomination 2. Parties run campaign 3. Parties give direction to voters 4. Parties articulate policies 5. Parties coordinate policy making; office holder is a party member looking for support to their partisians

8. The Downs Model provided a working model of the relationship among citizens, parties, and policy, employing rational-choice perspective. Rational Choice Theory - assumes that parties and political actors have goals (winning elections) (self-interest) that are more important to party than ideology. US we are election-oriented not issue-oriented. Downs argument: A. If both parties and voters are rational, both try to select the best way to achieve their goals B. To win office, the party pursues policies that have broad public appeal. C. The majority of American electorate are in the middle, and parties rarely stray from the midpoint of public opinion. D. Criticism that there is not much difference between both parties. E. From a rational-choice perspective, one expects the parties to differentiate themselves to some extent. Both parties are forced to show different identities in order to build voter loyalty.

9. Party Identification – citizens’ self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other Over the years we have a decline of both parties and increase in Independents Party identification remains linked to voter’s choice but SPLIT TICKET VOTING has increased Divided government has frequently been the result (Republican control of White House, Democrat control of Congress) Party Players 1. Party members in Organization = (Leaders, Activists) has a national office, full-time staff, rules/bylaws, budget 2. Party In Government = Elected Officials who call themselves members of the party 3. Party in the Electorate = voters = Individuals who perceive themselves as party members

10. Political Socialization MEMBERSHIP OF THE PARTIES - Membership is voluntary and is composed of cross-section of population Some Segments of electorate that tend to support 1 party or the other Traditionally, minority groups are Democrats and white males, Protestant, and business community are Republicans (GOP) Major events that influence party choice 1. Family - allegiance, tradition 2. Economic status Higher income usually Republican 3. Major Events 4. Age 5. Residence 6. Education level 7. Work Environment

11. Party History ERAS OF ONE-PARTY DOMINATION 1796 - 1824 - First party system Alexander Hamilton established the first party system. Policies he favored the national bank and the foundation of the Federalist party came from his politicking and coalition building Federalist Party shortest lived party - poorly organized, faded after John Adams defeated in 1800. Democratic -Republican (Jeffersonians) replaced the Federalists; based on agrarian interests; popular in the south; party torn apart by Factionalism

12. Party History 1828-1856 - Jackson and the Democrats versus Whigs Jackson originally Democratic-Republican; party became known as Democratic party Whigs - Martin Van Buren; party only able to win the presidency when it nominated popular military heroes: William Harrison, Zachary Taylor (party consisted of : northern industrialists and southern planters) 1860 - 1928 - Republican Era Slavery dominated American politics split both the Whig and Democrats in 1850 Republican party rose as the anti-slavery party Elected Abe Lincoln in 1860 Civil War brought party realignment

13. Party History 5. 1896 - party coalition shifted and Republicans were dominant until Great Depression 1932-1964 - New Deal Coalition Hoover’s handling of Depression was disastrous FDR promised a New Deal during his first 100 days Democrats - union members, southerners, intellectuals, liberals, poor, African Americans, small farmers, big city political org. 6. 1968 - Present Divided Government when executive and congress controlled by different parties Party dealignment - people are gradually moving away from both political parties

14. Third Parties Ideological party - based on certain social, economic, or political ideas; differ from majority of population ex. Socialist - favored gov’t takeover of industry Communist Libertarian - promotes individual rights, less gov’t in private lives and opposes taxes and US invasion abroad Single-issue parties - based on ONE ISSUE. Fade away after issue has been resolved or people lose interest. Sometimes able to get one of the major parties to take on their issue. ex. Free soil - opposed slavery Know Nothings - opposed Irish-Catholic immigration Right to Life - opposed abortion Prohibition party - prohibition of mfg, sales, and distribution of alcohol

15. Third Parties Economic protest parties - appear during difficult financial times. Appeal to people who are angry with economy. People want better prices and wages and lower taxes. Ex. Greenback - appealed to farmers; fee coinage of silver, fed reg of the railroads, income tax, labor legislation Ex. Populist party - demanded public ownership of RR, telephone, and telegraph companies, lower tariffs, and adoption of initiative and referendum Initiative - people introduce a bill in Congress and State by petition Referendum - allow people to vote on bills after passed by legislature Splinter parties - split from major parties; when the leader steps aside the party fades Ex. Bull Moose Party - Progressive party - Theodore Roosevelt Ex. Dixiecrat Ex. American Independent Party - George Wallace

16. Major Characteristics of a MINOR PARTY in American Politics: Short-lived Based on a single issue Formed around a strong personality 3rd Parties 1912 - Progressives - Roosevelt - didn’t win election but took votes away from Rep - Taft and Dem - Wilson 1992 - Ross Perot - Independent, won 19% of vote; contributed to Bush losing b/c most REP voted for Perot. He spent $60 mill of his own money 1996 - Perot ran with the REFORM Party = balancing federal budget, reforming political campaign funding, established term limits for members of Congress, new tax system, restrictions on lobbying gov’t officials Perot was able to receive federal funds = $29 mill; The REP/DEM received $62 mill

17. Major American political parties have DECENTRALIZED STRUCTURE Question: How does decentralization affect relationships among different levels of government? Main Reasons: FEDERALISM - divided 3 levels of government; more than ½ million elected officials 2. NOMINATING PROCESS - intraparty process - within party; process divisive one, same members of party disagree and fight over nomination 3. PRESIDENT - no leader; party not in power is more decentralized

18. President acts as PARTY LEADER. He unites the party through: Popularity Access to Media People appoints for gov’t jobs 2 LEVEL PARTY STRUCTURE 1. National 2. State MAJOR PARTY HAS 4 POINTS OF ORGANIZATION AT NATIONAL LEVEL 1.NATIONAL CONVENTION meets every 4 years nominates President/Vice President adopts party’s rules and writes platform 2. NATIONAL COMMITTEE consists of party leaders from every State Plans National Conventions

19. MAJOR PARTY HAS 4 POINTS OF ORGANIZATION AT NATIONAL LEVEL 3. NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON appointed by party’s nominee for President Heads National Committee 4. CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES - Pg. 139 Each party has a campaign committee in EACH HOUSE committees work to REELECT INCUMBENTS and save seats of those retiring members of committee are chosen by their colleagues

20. STATE LEVEL - State Party Chairman leads STATE central committee and runs party’s activities within State and further the party’s interest in state LOCAL LEVEL - Varies because of STATE ELECTION LAWS ex. City council member Party is divides city into small units = WARDS WARDS are divided further into = PRECINCTS Voters of precinct go to same voting place LOCAL PARTIES POLITICAL MACHINE - organized group of individuals who dominate a political party within a geographic area (big city) Uses party’s resources to further own power and control over political system Ex. Tammany Hall – NYC; Gain support by Political Machine assigned small armies of workers to become familiar with residents in neighborhoods.

21. On election day - workers urged supporters to go to poll - promised them gov’t jobs if party won = PATRONAGE ACT = SPOILS SYSTEMS States regulate party elections: CLOSED, OPEN, BLANKET Primaries Local Party Corruption Local party would print ballots with list of only their candidates Voters forced to cast STRAIGHT TICKET Political machine engaged in illegal voting practices No voter registration “Vote early and vote often” Elected official support and loyalty Local party organization in charge of nominating candidates How things became legal: *1. New Ballot System - printed by government *2. Voter Registration started *3. Pendleton ACT - 1883 – MERIT SYSTEM = gov’t job is given by qualification and examination ; Spoils system - ILLEGAL

22. REASONS WHY PARTIES HAVE FEWER MEMBERS 1. More people say they are INDEPENDENTS vs. Rep/Dem 2. Voters report more SPLIT-TICKET voting vote for candidates of different parties in same election 3. Structural changes and reforms i.e. Reform of campaign finance and direct primary elections have caused members to disagree. 4. Candidates don’t rely on party as much b/c of technology changes such as media and internet 5. More voters have stronger ties to single-issue groups