Political Parties Chapter 8 Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman. Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition

The Meaning of Party Political Party: – A “team of men [and women] ___________ ___ _____________ the governing ____________ by gaining office in a duly constituted election” Parties can be thought of in three parts: – Party in the ________________ – Party as an _____________ – Party in _________________

The Meaning of Party Tasks of the Parties – _____________ _______________: the channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda – Parties __________ Candidates – Parties ___________ Campaigns – Parties Give ____________ to Voters – Parties __________________ Policies – Parties Coordinate Policymaking

The Meaning of Party Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model – _______________-_____________ theory Assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives – Downs Model Voters ___________ chances that policies they favor are adopted by government. Parties want to win elected office.

The Meaning of Party

The Party in the Electorate Party image – A voter’s _______________ of what Republicans or Democrats stand for Party __________________ – A citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other – Republican, Democrat, or Independent

The Party in the Electorate __________________-___________________ – Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices – Independents are most likely to split tickets. – No state or race is completely safe due to split tickets.

The Party in the Electorate

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington These are the people that work for the party. Local Parties – Party _________: a type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern – ___________: a job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit; used by party machines – Due to _____________ reforms, urban party organizations are generally weak. – ______________ of party organization at county level

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington The 50 State Party Systems – ____________ primaries: Only people who have registered with the party can vote for that party’s candidates. – _________ primaries: Voters decide on Election Day whether they want to vote in the Democrat or Republican primary. – ___________ primaries: Voters are presented with a list of candidates from all parties. – State parties are better organized in terms of headquarters and budgets than they used to be.

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington The National Party Organizations – National Convention: the meeting of party _________ every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party’s platform – National ___________: one of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions – National ___________: responsible for day-to-day activities of the party

The Party in Government: Promises and Policy Party members actually elected to government Which party controls government has policy consequences. ____________: a group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends Parties and politicians generally act on their _________ promises.

The Party in Government: Promises and Policy

Party Eras in American History Party _______ – Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to the party in power ___________ Election – An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge Party ______________ – The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election

Party Eras in American History : The First Party System – Madison warned of “___________” – Federalists: first political party : Jackson and the ________ Versus the _________ – Modern party founded by Jackson – Whigs formed mainly to oppose Jacksonian Democrats

Party Eras in American History : The Two Republican Eras – Republicans rose as the __________ party – 1896 election centered on industrialization : The New Deal Coalition – New _______ coalition: _________ by the Democrats; consisted of urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics, Jews, the poor, Southerners

Party Eras in American History

1968-Present: The Era of ________ Party Government – Divided government: one party ________ Congress and the other ________ White House – Divided government due in party to: Party _____________: disengagement of people from parties as evidenced by shrinking party identification Party _____________: people are indifferent towards the two parties

Party Eras in American History

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics _________ parties: electoral contenders other than the two party parties; rarely win elections Third parties are important. – Are “_______ _________” for popular discontent – Bring new groups and ideas into politics Two-party system – Discourages ___________ views – Contributes to political ____________

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Multiparty Systems in Other Countries – __________-_______-_____ system: legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers – ____________ Representation: legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party - more votes, more seats – ______________ Government: two or more parties join to form a majority in a national legislature

Understanding Political Parties Democracy and Responsible Party Government – ____________ _________ Model 1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs. 2. Candidates are committed to the program. 3. The majority party must carry out its program. 4. The majority party must accept responsibility. – American political parties fall ________ of these conditions. – No ___________ for party discipline

Understanding Political Parties American Political Parties and the Scope of Government – Lack of ____________ keeps government small Big programs like Health Care (1994) fail – But also makes _______ government programs difficult Individuals focus on getting more from government for their own constituents

Understanding Political Parties Is the Party Over? – Political parties are _____ longer main source of information for voters; media are – Yet parties will play an __________ but ___________ role in American politics State and national party organizations have become more visible and active Majority of people still identify with a party

Summary Parties are a ___________ linkage institution in American politics. – Party in electorate, government, and as organization America has a two-party system. The __________ nature of political parties makes major change difficult and encourages individualism in politics.