1. Political Parties
Chapter 8

2. On Political Parties…
Jefferson: “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”
E.E. Schattschneider: “…political parties created democracy…and democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the parties.”

3. The Meaning of Party Political Party:
A team of men and women seeking to control government by winning elections
Parties can be thought of in three parts:
Party in the electorate (voters)
Party as an organization (local and national)
Party in government (elected officials)

4. The Meaning of Party Tasks of the Parties
Linkage Institution: The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.
Parties Pick Candidates
Parties Run Campaigns
Parties provide political identity
Parties Articulate and Endorse Policies
Parties Coordinate Policymaking

5. The Meaning of Party The Downs Model: Most voters are moderate so…
Figure 8.1

6. Downs Model
The wise party selects policies that are widely favored (moderate).
Both parties stay in the middle on most issues
But they also try to show how they differ
2/3 of the population believes there is a difference between the D’s and the R’s

7. The Party in the Electorate (Voters)
Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.
Ticket-splitting:
Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices.
Ticket-splitting has become the norm in American voting behavior.

8. The Party in the Electorate

9. The Party Organizations (local and national government)
These are the people that work for the party.
Local Parties
Party Machines: Corrupt local interests that controlled city politics prior to 1930’s
Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines to maintain power.
Grassroots Movements: Local, citizen-driven action taken to address a hot issue (Em-X bus line, for example)

10. The Party Organizations
States: Holding elections is an important state-level task
Closed primaries: voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party
Open primaries: voters decide on election day which party to participate in, and then only that party
Blanket primaries: voters get a list of all candidates and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label

11. The Party Organizations
The National Party Organizations
Write the party platform, holds the national convention
National Convention: The meeting of party delegates to choose a presidential ticket and platform.
National Committee: Keeps the party operating between conventions.
National Chairperson: Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party.

12. The Party in Government: Elected Office Holders
These are the party members actually elected to government.
Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help.
Coalition:
A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends.
Farm / Ag states; black caucus; religious right; labor unions…

13. Party Eras in American History
Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.2)

14. Party Eras in American History
Historical periods in which a majority of votes support the party in power.
Critical Election
An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge.
Party Realignment
The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election.

15. Party Eras in American History
: The First Party System
Madison warned of “factions”
First party were the Federalists
: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs
Modern party founded by Jackson
Whigs formed mainly in opposition to Democrats

16. Party Eras in American History
: The Two Republican Eras
Republicans rose as the antislavery party
1896 election revolved around the gold standard
: The New Deal Coalition
Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

17. Party Eras in American History
1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government
Party dealignment - disengagement of people from parties; increase in independents
Party neutrality - people are indifferent towards the two parties

18. Party Eras in American History
Partisan Control of State Governments: 2005 (Figure 8.3)

19. VO Key: Theory of Critical Elections
Read handout describing Key’s thoughts and definitions
Consider the following elections. By Key’s definitions, which were they? Defend your answer.
Reagan v. Carter, 1980
Clinton v. Bush, 1992
Obama v. McCain, 2008

20. Third/Minor Parties As you watch the film clip…
What do most third parties have in common?
Why don’t they win elections?
What effects do they have on American politics (+ / -)?

21. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics
Political parties other than Democrat or Republican
Rarely win elections
Third parties bring new groups and ideas into politics
Two-party system discourages extreme views

22. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics
Winner-take-all system:
Legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers.
Proportional Representation:
Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party - more votes, more seats
Coalition Government:
Two or more parties join to run government

23. Understanding Political Parties
Is the Party Over?
Political parties are no longer the chief source of information for voters
State and national party organizations are getting stronger
Majority of people still identify with a party, but still split their tickets
Parties will continue to be around