Chapter 5 Political Parties

What is a Political Party? And what do they do?

Today’s Two Major Parties Republicans Democrats

Party Breakdown The Party Organization The Party in government The party in electorate

What do Parties Do? Nominate Candidates Inform and Activate Support Act as a Bonding Agent Govern Act as a watchdog

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Two Party System Why does the U.S. have a two-party system? What membership characteristics do American parties have?

Two- Party System Dem and Rep have dominated America politically Minor Party- parties that do not share widespread support. The Green Party, The Libertarian Party, The American Communist Party, etc..

Historical Basis Rooted from the beginning of the nation: Federalist and Anti-Federalist Washington warned in his farewell address about the “baneful effects of the spirit of party” Framers did not want parties

The Force of Tradition America has a two-party system because it always has had one Minor Parties- lack wide support and have not been that successful

The Electoral System Single member district – Plurality Discourages minority parties

American Ideological Consensus Though most Americans share different beliefs, as well as ethnic, social and racial backgrounds, there is typically a general consensus, or general agreement, among most fundamental matters of American politics The two parties typically best identify with this consensus

Multi-Party System A system where several major and many lesser parties exist and seriously compete for office- various parties are based on a particular interest – ex: economic class, religious belief, sectional attachment, political ideology. These governments typically must form coalitions, or a gathering of several parties in unison to be successful, though this is often difficult to do.

Multiparty Systems Advantages? Disadvantages?

One-Party System One Party systems where only one party is allowed – Dictatorships Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins most elections – Republican North and Democratic South until the 1850s Can be see at the state level where one political party dominates that state Examples?

How states voted in the past four elections.

How do people choose party membership? Family Economic Status Occupation Religion Age Major Events

The Two Party System in US History

The formation of the two parties  The two party system can be traced to the battle over ratification of the US Constitution  1) The Federalist Party, created by Alexander Hamilton, were supporters of the creation of a strong central government. Represented wealthy and upper-class interests  2)The Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson, wanted a smaller, limited role for the central government. Represented the “common man” This party would later become the Jeffersonian Republicans and in 1828 became known as the Democratic Party

Four Eras of the American Party 1) Era of the Democrats 2) Era of the Republicans 3) The Return of the Democrats 4)1968- present- the New Era

Era of the Democrats Democrats dominated all but two presidential elections The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents – William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor The Republican Party is founded in In the 1820’s the democratic party split over issues like conflicts over lands, high tariffs and slavery

Era of Republicans Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections The Whig Party leadership fell apart and the emerging crisis over slavery led to the break up of Democrats between the North and South – The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s The Republican party drew many Whigs and anti- slavery democrats and elected its first president, Abraham Lincoln in 1860

The Return of the Democrats Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections – FDR is elected four times

The New Era of Divided Politics 1968-now Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party.

Still Divided? Both George W. Bush and Barrack Obama have had their party control Congress during their times as president. Bush had a Republican controlled Congress after 2002, as did Barrack Obama when he took office in 2009 with a Democratic Congress.

Minor Parties in the United States

Ideological Based on set of beliefs Most Marz-based socialist or communist Ex: Libertarian Party – Individualism, little government

Single-Issue Focus on one policy matter Fade with events and adoption of issues by major party Ex: Right to Life Party – Opposes abortion The Free Soil Party – Opposed slavery

Economic Protest Parties In periods of economic discontent Demand better times Often sectional Fade with better economic times Ex: The Greenback Party

Splinter Split from major party Form around strong personality Fade when leader steps aside Ex: “Bull Moose” Progressive Party

Election of 1912 Roosevelt, running with the Progressive “Bull Moose” Party actually does better than the Republican William Taft (88-8 in Electoral Votes). However, the splitting of votes among these groups allows Woodrow Wilson to gain the presidency for the Democrats

Why are Minor Parties Important? “Spoiler Role” Critic Innovator

The Decentralized Nature of the Parties Chapter 5 Section 4

Party Organization NationalStateLocal National convention State committee Vary widely National committee State chairperson Units in each electoral district National chairperson Congressional Campaign Committees