Political Parties: Roles & History Parties and What They Do Political parties – a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding of public offices. Major US political parties – Democrats and Republicans Partisanship – firm allegiance to a political party.

Political Parties: Roles & History What Political Parties Do Nominate Candidates – political parties find and gather support for candidates Inform and Activate Supporters – (also news media and interest groups) political parties try to inform voters about issues and where their candidate stands on them. (ex. Bumper stickers, commercials, ads) The Bonding Agent Function – ensures good candidates by seeing they are qualified and of good character Governing – allegiance to political parties is often the basis for political action Acting as a Watchdog – the party out of power keeps the party in power on their toes

Political Parties: Roles & History The 2 Party System in US History First Parties Federalists – led by Alexander Hamilton, generally rich and well born and had supported the Constitution. Anti-Federalists (Democratic-Republicans) – led by Thomas Jefferson, represented the Common man Four Major Eras of American Political Parties Era of the Democrats 1800-1860 Anti-Federalists – became Democratic-Republicans – became Democrats Starting with Thomas Jefferson up until the Civil War Factions – conflicting groups Whigs were the other major party – only elected two presidents

Political Parties: Roles & History Era of the Republicans 1860-1932 Party founded in 1854 by Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats Only party in history to go from a third party to a major party In power from the Civil War up until the Great Depression Sectionalism – devotion to the interests of a particular region The Return of the Democrats 1932-1968 FDR brought the Democrats back to power with the New Deal he made to help the nation come out of the Great Depression Emphasized social spending & increasing government’s role in everyday life He was elected to 4 terms

Political Parties: Roles & History Start of a New Era Neither party has dominated from 1968 up until now Economic and social conditions as well as scandals have prevented either party from maintaining power. Minor Parties in the United States: Ideological parties – parties based on a particular set of beliefs – a comprehensive view of social, economic and political matters. (ex. Socialist, Communists) Single-issue parties – parties that are based on one public policy matter. (ex. Right to Life)

Political Parties: Roles & History Economic protest parties - parties formed in bad economic times to demand improvement and focus their anger on certain groups. (e.g. Greenback party) Splinter parties – parties that have split away from one of the major parties, usually in support of a specific personality. (e.g. Bull Moose Progressive Party of 1912) Why Minor Parties Are Important A minor party (the American Masons) were the first to use a national convention to nominate someone A strong third – party candidate can play the spoiler role by pulling votes from a major party and influencing the election. Bring attention to issues that major parties try to avoid or straddle.

Political Parties: Roles & History Party Organization The two major parties are decentralized The President’s party (the party in power) is usually more organized The President acts as the party leader by: Using media access Popularity Dispensing favors Appointments to positions Federalism makes party organization more decentralized

Political Parties: Roles & History The federal system spreads power to state and local levels, therefore the party also has to spread its power The process of choosing a candidate can cause divisions

Political Parties: Roles & History National Party Machinery The National Convention The National Committee The National Chairperson Congressional Campaign Committee Three Components of the Party 1. Party organization – the leaders, activist etc who run the party 2. The party in the electorate – the party’s loyalists who vote the straight party ticket 3. The party in government – party’s officeholders

Political Parties: Roles & History The Weakness of the Major Parties 1. A sharp drop in voters willing to identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats 2. Increase in split-ticket voting – voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election 3. Structural changes that have made the parties more open. 4. Changing technology 5. Growth of single issue organizations such as PACs

Gerrymandering/Redistricting

Gerrymandering/Redistricting Congress  What is gerrymandering?  Gerrymandering is a term that describes the deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections.

Gerrymandering/Redistricting Congress Where did gerrymandering come from? The original gerrymander was created in 1812 by Massachusetts’s governor Elbridge Gerry, who crafted a district for political purposes that looked like a salamander.   

Gerrymandering/Redistricting Congress What is the purpose of gerrymandering? The purpose of gerrymandering is to either concentrate opposition votes into a few districts to gain more seats for the majority in surrounding districts (called packing), or to diffuse minority strength across many districts (called dilution).

Gerrymandering/Redistricting Congress How has Congress regulated redistricting? In 1967, Congress passed a law requiring all U.S. representatives to be elected from single member districts—the system we use today. All other redistricting regulations come from the states or the courts.