Chapter 5: Political Parties

Political Parties and What They Do 5.1

What is a Party? Political Party—a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding of public office (a group with similar principles and want to shape public policy) 2 major parties Republicans Democrats There are also many minor parties

What Do Parties Do? Nominating Candidates Parties are the link between the people and the government Help unify groups through compromise Nominating Candidates Select candidates to run for public office Help them get elected Inform supporters on public affairs Campaigns (buttons, stickers, media, debates, speeches)

Bonding Agents Function Puts forth the best candidate for office Usually done through primary elections Govern One party controls government and all members will align with their party. This is called Partisanship. Act as a Watchdog The party out of power criticizes the policies of the party in power (the party who controls the executive branch)

5.2 Two Party-System The United States operates under a two- party system. That is only Republican or Democratic Party’s candidates have a chance of getting elected.

Why a Two-Party System? Historical Basis Tradition Federalists Historical Basis Federalists/Anti-federalists Tradition The Electoral System Single member districts Republicans and Democrats make it difficult for minor parties to join political races The American Ideological Consensus Most Americans agree on basic ideals, principles, and patterns of belief Anti-federalists

Multiparty Systems A system in which several major and many lesser parties could exist, seriously compete for and actually win, public office Popular in European democracies Parties based on a particular interest: economic class, religious belief, or sectional attachment More responsive to the people Coalition—alliance of several groups Frequent changes of party in power

One-Party System One-Party system is when only 1 party is allowed to exist. Prevalent in dictatorships Usually power is kept by force and no other party can participate Fidel Castro Of Cuba

Party Membership Patterns Membership is voluntary Major parties are broad based in order to gain more votes However, certain cross- sections of the electorate are usually aligned to one or the other parties People follow their parents Major events Other factors: age, gender, and education Democrats: African Americans Catholics Jews Union members Lower income Republicans White males Protestant White collar workers Higher income

5.4 Minor Parties Ross Perot Reform Party Ralph Nader Green Party Although, minor party candidates have no real chance of winning the presidency, they still play an important role in politics. 11

Four types of Minor Parties Ideological Parties—based on a particular set of beliefs (comprehensive view) Socialist Party, Labor Party, Workers Party, Communist Party Single-issue Parties— concentrate on one public policy matter Free Soil Party, Right to Life Party, Know Nothings Party Usually fade over time or one of the major parties adopts their issue

Economic Protest Parties—oppose the economic system or economic situation of the time Greenbacks Party, Populist Party Focus anger on real or imagined enemies Disappear as the countries economic condition gets better Splinter Parties—groups that have split away from one of the major parties Bull Moose Party, Dixiecrats, American Independent Party Usually led by one person with a strong personality who has failed with one of the major parties These parties usually fade as the leader does

Importance? They were the first to use national conventions to choose their candidates Spoiler role in elections They can take clear cut stands (draw attention to important issues) ex: women’s suffrage

Party Organization 5.5 Both the Democratic and Republican parties are organized at the national, state, and local levels

The Decentralized Nature of the Parties Both parties are highly decentralized President acts as a party leader Access to the media, makes federal appointment, grants favors The Party out of power has no clear leader Nominating Process pits party members against each other

The National Party Machinery 4 Components National Convention Nominate a candidate for President and VP Write Party Platform National Committee—most work centers around staging the national convention National Chairperson—head of the national committee and campaigning Promoting party unity, fund raising, and voter recruiting Congressional Campaign Committees—focus on reelection of incumbents

State and Local Party Machinery Structure is set by state law State Level Built around a State Chairperson (usually an influential political figure or a front for one) Build unity, find candidates, raise funds Local Level Follow electoral map (wards and precincts) Largely inactive except for election time

The Three Components of the Party Another perspective—3 components that make up a party Party organization—the leaders and activists that run the party machinery Party electorate—voters for that party Party in government—the officeholders

The Future of the Major Parties Political parties have been in decline since the 1960’s for several reasons Growing number of Independent Increase in split-ticket voting Internal conflicts within parties Technological changes in campaigning Single-issue organizations who align with certain candidates ($)