Political Parties: Linking Voters and Governing Institutions Chapter 14

The Development of the Two-Party System Political parties: Mass organizations that seek to elect candidates to public office and influence policy making Two-party system: A government system in which only two political parties compete for elected office Minor parties: Political parties in a two-party system that are not one of the dominant two political parties

The Development of the Two-Party System The early parties Federalist Party John Adams and Alexander Hamilton Sedition Act of 1798 Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson; opposed the nationalist policies of the Federalist Party Twelfth Amendment Ratified in 1804 Established that the president and vice president would be elected on separate ballots (party ticket)

The Development of the Two-Party System The early parties (cont.) Democratic Party Developed in 1820s, largely by Andrew Jackson Patronage system Whigs Developed in 1830s in response to the politics and policies of Andrew Jackson Republican Party Developed from the antislavery wing of the Whigs in the 1850s

The Development of the Two-Party System Realignment and Republican Party dominance After the Civil War, there was competition between the Republican and Democratic parties Realignment 1896: Realignment in favor of the Republican Party Wings: Black and Tan Republicans Lily White Republicans

The Development of the Two-Party System The New Deal coalition and Democratic Party dominance Realignment to the Democratic Party in 1932 New Deal coalition Groups that supported President Franklin Roosevelt’s policies and made the Democrats the dominant party from the 1930s through the 1960s Foreign policy Civil rights

The Development of the Two-Party System The end of party dominance and the rise of party competition Dealignment: A period in which voters abandon their ties to the political parties, resulting in a balance of power between the dominant parties United States has experienced a period of dealignment since 1969 2016 presidential election Racial differences in party support

The Development of the Two-Party System Minor parties Largely ideologically based and focused on specific issues Generally short lived Disadvantaged by the electoral system Winner-take-all versus proportional representation See “Evaluating Equality: Minor Parties and Racial and Ethnic Minorities”

Party Organization National party conventions Held every 4 years Nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates Caucuses, primaries, and superdelegates Offer a statement of party principles and beliefs Party platform Create governing rules for the party

Party Organization National party committees Responsible for: Determining party policy objectives See “Our Voices: Political Party Platforms and Civil Rights” Devising electoral strategies Creating governing rules and regulations Raising money for the party and its candidates

Percentage of Convention Delegates Who Are African Americans

Party Organization National party committees (cont.) Funding Hard money Soft money Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) and Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)

Party Organization National party committees National committee chair Heads the national committee of the party Responsible for directing the party’s electoral strategies

Party Organization State and local organization Ward/precinct committees Local committees State party central committees State and local party organizations were once immensely popular Tammany Hall and “Boss Tweed” White primary

Parties and Voters Party identification Voters’ psychological attachment to a political party Explains how voters perceive candidates and how they are likely to vote

Parties and Voters Parties and group attachments Region Age Socioeconomic status Religious groups Women Racial and ethnic minorities