Parties and Interest Groups

For Tuesday Watch the local TV news Enduring Debate Questions 1-3 on 399 Additional Question: What do the democrats need to do be contenders in the 2006 elections and 2008 Presidential Election?

News Norms Impartiality Equal Time ConflictNovelty

Media Types Newspapers Broadcast Media RadioNarrowcasting?CableInternet

Internet And Politics Wide range of viewpoints Interactive Paradox- Loss of civil society? Reinforcement of views More of the Same?

Media and Government Key Source of Coverage Local- little attention National- considerable attention Beats Press Conferences/Briefings/Speeches LeaksInvestigations

Parties Defined Organized Groups Edmund Burke- A body of men united for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interest, upon some particular principle on which they are agreed Anthony Downs- A team of men seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election

Parties vs. Interest Groups Diverse Coalitions Multiple Issues Greater Electoral Involvement

Some traits of Parties/2 Party System Coalitions ever changing Inclusive vs. Exclusive 2 Party System High hurdles for inclusion of 3 rd parties Public funding issues “Can’t Win Syndrome” Single Member Districts and Strategic voting

Parties- History Early leaders strongly opposed Madison and Factions Washington- “Warn against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally” Hamilton vs. Jefferson/Madison Origins in congress

Parties- History Electoral Involvement to increase chances Democratic-Republicans vs. federalists Early Democratic Dominance Minor parties- Anti Masonic, “Know nothings,” Free Soil, etc. Republicans as an overnight sensation

Machine Politics Parties very involved in day to day lives Patronage Social Welfare Largely Urban Largely Democratic Largely Corrupt High turnout/involvement

Progressives limit the machines Australian Ballot Civil Service Reform Government Provision of Social Welfare But- Decreased turnout

Great Depression Rise of Democratic Party Wide support- urban blacks, urban whites, rural whites, etc. United around new deal

60’s Realignment 1840s on- Democrats largely represent the south Post new deal- Uneasy coalition Like 2 separate parties Democrats become more supportive of Civil Rights Many southerners defect to the Republican party

Coalitions Today Democrats Racial and Ethnic Minorities Women Blue Collar/Unions Social Liberals Republicans Slight edge among whites MenBusinesspeople Social Conservatives

Instability- Reagan Democrats 1980 Election Reagan Splits Democrats Union and blue collar workers Support Dems on Economics Support Dems on Economics Socially conservative Socially conservative Carter- Poor economic performance Reagan- Focuses on Social Issues, swings former democratic voters

Contemporary Instability? Republicans Libertarian Wing Libertarian Wing Business Wing Business Wing Evangelical Wing Evangelical WingDemocrats DLC DLC More liberal wings More liberal wings Holding on to black voters Holding on to black voters

Parties in Government Provides accountability Provides division that cuts across geography Provides policy proposals Provides Discipline Provide Moderation?

Parties in Government Congress Committee assignments/Leadership Party line voting Defections

The Presidency 2 Party System Tension- Representing Party vs. Representing Nation Works with his party in congress Most public face of his party Midterm Elections Coattail effects

Parties in the Electorate Party Identification- longstanding alignment with a particular party Sources Early Socialization Family Family Ethnic Group Ethnic Group Religious Group Religious Group Economic Factors Economic Factors Events Events Running tabs of issues? Short term fluctuations?

Trends Decline? 50s- High Identification (80%) Rise of “Independent” voters in 70s Independents make up 40% of electorate Independents make up 40% of electorate But- Many independents behaved as partisans In 90s- Increased Identification, increased importance

Parties in the Electorate FunctionsHeuristic Issue Ownership Democrats better on Social Welfare issues Democrats better on Social Welfare issues Republicans better on taxes, military Republicans better on taxes, military Information Filter

Electoral Function of Parties Early Task of parties- Elect Favorable individuals Parties control Important Resources MoneyServices Polling Polling Advertising Advertising Volunteers VolunteersPublicity

Electoral Functions of Parties Present a “team” image Presidents campaign for congressional candidates Coattail effect Mobilization

Importance of Parties to Candidates Party power through resources The rise of candidate centered campaigns? Independent fundraising Ability to purchase services elsewhere Mobilization Party support still critical

Interest Groups Organized groups attempting to influence policy –or- Group that claims to represent some segment of the population Differ from parties Promote interests by attempting to influence government rather than by nominating candidates

Kinds of Interest Groups Multi-Issue or Single issue E.g. NOW vs. NARAL Economic interest groups Includes business, unions, farmers, etc. Includes business, unions, farmers, etc. Public interest groups State and Local Governments

History Madison and Faction Early groups- Farmers and Liquor Turn of the century- organized labor, trade groups 70s-80s- rise of environmental, Christian right groups

Functions Lobbying-Attempt to seek influence over legislation Testifying in congress Material benefits Not bribery Registration of Lobbying Act (1946)

Lobbying Executive and Judiciary Executive Meetings with administration officials Formal staff positions Courts Amicus Curiae briefs Testimony in confirmation hearings

Grassroots Lobbying Attempt to stir up support of members “Tell George Bush what you think” has increased ProtestsAstroturf

Electoral Functions Campaign Contributions EndorsementsRatings Occasional formation of political parties

Success Do you get your legislation? FundingMembership Challenge- Free Rider Problem and Collective Goods