1. Political Parties Chapter 16

2. What is a political party? a group of activists who organize to win elections, to operate the government and to determine public policy

3. Functions of Political Parties in the U.S. Recruiting candidates for public officeRecruiting candidates for public office Organizing and running electionsOrganizing and running elections Presenting alternative policies to the electoratePresenting alternative policies to the electorate Accepting responsibility for operating the gov’tAccepting responsibility for operating the gov’t Acting as the organized opposition to the party in powerActing as the organized opposition to the party in power

4. Parties in U.S. History 1789-1812 saw the creation of parties.1789-1812 saw the creation of parties. The Federalists favored the adoption of Constitution - Anti-Federalists opposed it. 1816-1824 saw elections centered on individual candidates rather than parties and was the era of personal politics.1816-1824 saw elections centered on individual candidates rather than parties and was the era of personal politics. 1828-1860 Jackson’s Presidency to the Civil War saw the birth and death of the Whig Party.1828-1860 Jackson’s Presidency to the Civil War saw the birth and death of the Whig Party.

5. 1864-1892 the creation of the heavily Democratic South and the heavily Republican North or the post Civil War period.1864-1892 the creation of the heavily Democratic South and the heavily Republican North or the post Civil War period. 1896-1928 saw the development of the Progressive Party, which ran Theodore Roosevelt for Pres in 1912.1896-1928 saw the development of the Progressive Party, which ran Theodore Roosevelt for Pres in 1912. The modern era 1932 to the present. FDR’s New Deal created today’s political landscape.The modern era 1932 to the present. FDR’s New Deal created today’s political landscape.

7. Party Organization 1) At the National Convention, the national party organization selects the national committee and the national chair person to direct the party during the four year period between conventions.1) At the National Convention, the national party organization selects the national committee and the national chair person to direct the party during the four year period between conventions. –(Howard Dean- Dems.) 2) The state party organization consists of a state committee, chairperson, and a number of local organizations.2) The state party organization consists of a state committee, chairperson, and a number of local organizations. 3) The lowest level of organization, the grassroots level, is composed of county and district party officials, precinct chairs, and party workers.3) The lowest level of organization, the grassroots level, is composed of county and district party officials, precinct chairs, and party workers.

9. Why Do We Have a Two-Party System? historical foundations of the systemhistorical foundations of the system –sectional politics –class politics commonality of views among Americanscommonality of views among Americans the winner-take all electoral systemthe winner-take all electoral system state and federal laws favoring the two party system – harder for 3 rd parties to get on ballotstate and federal laws favoring the two party system – harder for 3 rd parties to get on ballot

10. Minor Parties in the U.S. most successful minor parties have been splinter parties, parties that broke from a major partymost successful minor parties have been splinter parties, parties that broke from a major party –Examples Bull Moose Progressives (from the Reps)Bull Moose Progressives (from the Reps) Dixiecrats (States Rights) Party (from the Dems) Dixiecrats (States Rights) Party (from the Dems) often, minor parties’ platforms are adopted by major partiesoften, minor parties’ platforms are adopted by major parties sometimes minor party candidates can have an impact on the outcome of an election - Nadersometimes minor party candidates can have an impact on the outcome of an election - Nader