Development of American Political Parties The Two-Party System

What Is a Political Party? A political party is a LINKAGE INSTITUTION made up of citizens who want to influence government by getting the candidate of their choice elected. Parties nominate candidates who share their views on major issues. Candidates then campaign to get elected to public office & design public policies that reflect these political views. Voters determine the final nominee. The state party system holds primary elections, in accordance with state laws, to choose a candidate (open, closed, blanket) or caucuses

Parties in the US Any American citizen may join a political party regardless of age, but most members are of voting age. The United States has developed into a two-party system. Our contemporary system began when Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican president in 1860. The Democratic Party formed in the late 1820’s under Andrew Jackson.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson Political parties first emerged when followers of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson differed in their views of the Constitution and the role of government. Jefferson’s followers called themselves Democratic-Republicans. They were suspicious of strong government, calling for power to reside with the states. Jefferson also promoted an agrarian society with only moderate industrial activity. Hamilton’s Federalists believed in a strong national government and a powerful president. He encouraged the growth of a commercial society with a large industrial sector.

Jacksonian Democracy Reigns In 1828, Andrew Jackson was nominated as the leader of the new Democratic Party. He supported the farmers & merchants of Jefferson’s party. He believed in the role of the common person and also looked out for southern & western interests. Those who did not support Jackson formed their own party called Whigs, also known as the National Republican Party. After 1830, the Whigs & Democrats remained the two major parties until the1850’s.

The Two Major Parties Emerge In 1854 Whigs, former Free Soil Party members, & ex-Democrats formed the Republican Party to oppose the spread of slavery in US territories. The Whigs faded from American politics leaving the Democrats and Republicans in a two-party system that has dominated American politics ever since.

Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000 Third Parties Any party other than the two major parties can be called a “third party.” A third party candidate has never won a presidential election and rarely do they win other major elections. Third party contributions, however, have been significant. Third party candidates force particular issues to be addressed by the major parties. When these smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections, especially considering the “winner-take-all” system of the Electoral College. Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues. Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000

Third Parties at the Turn of the Century In the late 1800s, a third party, the people’s Party, or “Populists”, gained national attention. They were mostly farmers who allied with industrial workers from the east. They encouraged railroad & communication regulation, monetary & tax reforms, direct election of Senators, civil service reform, & an 8 hr. work day. They did win electoral votes in 1892 & some state & congressional races in ‘92 & ‘94. Some of their ideas translated into policy & influenced the Democratic & Progressive Parties in the early 20th Century, but they eventually faded away.

The Republicans Split Former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt left the Republican Party and was nominated by the Progressive Party (splinter party). It was nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party” because TR said he was “fit as a Bull Moose”. TR split the 1912 Republican vote, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to defeat President William H. Taft. The Progressive Party was influential in the passage of the 17th Amendment, and re-introduced the ideas of direct democracy, including the referendum, recall, and initiative. They also promoted direct primaries, thus allowing citizens to be involved in the choice of candidates running for office.

Ideological/ Issue-Based Third Parties An ideology is a body of ideas put forth by a person or group. Minor third parties are often formed to support a specific issue. These rise and fall over time. Ideological parties want to CHANGE government society in both minor and major ways. The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Green Party calls for companies to respect the environment, social justice, consumer rights, the decentralization of political power & grassroots democracy.

Cult of Personality / Individual-Focused Parties Some third parties form or gain attention from the efforts of famous people. If they cannot gain support from one of the major parties, they form their own or join a minor party & bring supporters. H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party was a force in the 1992 and 1996 elections. The platform focused on the federal debt & deficit. This party also placed pro wrestler Jesse Ventura in the governor’s mansion in Minnesota. Pat Buchanan & Ralph Nader have run as candidates too. These parties usually fade away after their candidate is defeated.

The Odds Are Against Them It is difficult for third parties candidates to raise enough money to compete with the major parties. Only one candidate can win in a given district (SMD) . Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican. When a third party candidate takes votes away from one of the two major party candidates, it is known as the “splinter effect.” Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures & raising enough money in order be placed on the ballot for national office. Each state has what is known as ballot access laws, which regulate the conditions under which a candidate’s name may appear on the ballot.

American Politics Today Democrats usually feel that the federal government has a responsibility to help the poor through government intervention. Democrats are generally seen as liberal. Republicans hold the view that leaving the economy alone will allow for growth, giving people greater ability to help themselves. They believe in less regulation. Republicans are viewed as being conservative.

Parties Move Towards The Center A platform is a statement that puts forth the party's positions on issues. Each individual issue is called a plank. These policies are publicly introduced every 4 years at the National Convention, when candidates are officially nominated. Both parties want votes. As a result, parties have become more moderate in their platforms, moving away from extreme positions, especially during general elections. The American people generally agree about many issues. This forces the two major parties toward the center of the political spectrum.

Party Systems in other Countries Most democracies have multi-party systems. One party rarely wins the number of seats in the Parliament needed to control the government (“hung Parliament”). This instability forces several parties to cooperate in running the government. When parties work together to pass laws, a coalition has been formed. If one party pulls its support, the government can collapse and new elections must be held. This process occurs in countries with a parliamentary system of government (i.e. Finland, Germany, Israel, Britain, India & Canada have multi-party systems) The US has a presidential system and a Congress rather than a prime minister and a parliament.

Following The Party Line A one-party system cannot exist in a democracy. There is no choice of candidates in the elections. Opposition parties are usually banned. China, Cuba, and North Korea operate under one-party systems. One-party systems may be based on philosophies or ideologies such as religion. Systems dominated by one ideology can exist in non-Communist countries. Islam dominates the decisions made about who runs for office and policies in Iran. This type of religion-based government is called a theocracy and clerics dominate politics. Communist Party Congress, China In a one-party system, the government and party are synonymous.