American and Texas Government : Policy and Politics, 10/e By Neal Tannahill 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Case Study: 2008 Election Democratic Party very successful in 2008 Won Presidency for first time in 3 elections Obama won electoral vote , and 53% of the popular vote Gained seats in the U.S. House and Senate Democrats hold 29 state governorships, and control the state legislature in 27 states, compared to 14 in full Republican control 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Party System A political party is a group of individuals who join together to seek government office in order to make public policy. The number of political parties varies from country to country. The United States has a two-party system, which is the division of voter loyalties between two major political parties, resulting in the near exclusion of minor parties from seriously competing for political power. A plurality election system, which is a method for choosing public officials that awards office to the candidate with the most votes, favors a two-party system. Scholars believe that a nation’s party system reflects the fundamental social and political divisions of society. The deeper and the more intense the divisions, the more likely the nation will have a multiparty system. Compared to many democracies, the United States has fewer deeply rooted social and political cleavages, according to scholars 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Party Organization The organization of political parties in the United States reflects the federal system, with organizations at both the state and national levels of government. The most important service the national party organizations provide for their candidates is financial support. State party organizations and their platforms vary substantially from state to state. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Political Cycles and Party Realignment Alternation of power inevitable and essential to democracy Merrill/Grofman/Brunell theory on partisan cycles in American politics: Most voters are moderate When R’s are in power, they govern to the right of most Americans, and Americans grow more liberal. When D’s are in power, they govern to the left of most Americans, and Americans grow more conservative. Other political scientists point to party eras and more fundamental realignment 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Party Balance: Republicans, Democrats and Independents Surveys in 2008 show 36% of Americans identified themselves as Democrats, 27% as Republicans, and 36% as Independents. Independents are diverse, but disproportionately male A majority of Democrats are women Republicans are equally divided between male and female What are independents thinking? 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Party Balance - Independents Political scientists show 5 types of independents: Deliberators – swing voters, ok with either party Disillusioned – alienated from system Dislocated – liberal on social issues, conservative on economic issues Disguised – Reject party labels, but usually vote one party or the other Disengaged – little interest in politics 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Voting Patterns Support for the parties varies according to the following factors: income race and ethnicity education gender age family and lifestyle status region political ideology Religion place of residence 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Issue Orientation In a diverse society such as the United States, the major parties in a two-party system must offer issue positions that appeal to broad segments of the voters. Since 1960, the parties have grown further apart philosophically. The national Democratic Party generally takes the liberal position on issues, while the Republican Party usually expresses conservative views. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Issue Orientation The Democratic and Republican national platforms show clear differences on issues. Democrats favor educating children of illegal immigrants in public schools; Republicans do not. On abortion, Democrats support abortion rights, while some Republicans support a constitutional amendment outlawing all elective abortions. Democrats favor legislation to end discrimination against gay men and lesbians, while Republicans oppose extending civil rights protections to homosexuals. On some other issues, the differences are subtle. Both parties favored some tax cuts in their 2004 platforms but offered different approaches. Their positions on the environment also differ. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Divided Government Divided government has become commonplace in recent decades. The Constitution sets the stage for divided government because of separation of powers. Different issues influence the elections for president, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. One party may have an advantage on national issues, while the other enjoys an advantage on local issues. Therefore, divided government reflects voters’ divided issue preferences. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Conclusion Political parties are similar to interest groups in that they both connect individuals and groups to the government. The concept of democracy is that government policies reflect the policy preferences of citizens. In large, complex societies such as the United States, political parties are a means whereby individuals and groups can make their policy preferences known to government decision- makers and then hold those officials accountable for their adoption and successful implementation. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.