Political Parties Parties and What They Do Dubbs Govt Parties and What They Do Dubbs Govt

What is a Political Party? It’s NOT what you think of when you think “party”

 A group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding public office.

Why would people want to create parties?

FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES Nominating Function Informer-Stimulator Function Seal of Approval Function Governmental Function Watchdog Function Pretty boring slide, eh?

NOMINATING FUNCTION Sets political parties apart from other political groups The Democratic and Republican parties are election-oriented rather than issue- oriented. Parties help election campaigns

Informer-Stimulator Function Share this with news media and interest groups Stimulates public to participate in public affairs Campaigning and publicity, (i.e., buttons, pamphlets, stickers, and media)

Seal of Approval FUNCTION Party plants a “seal of approval” on candidates Creates loyalty in the candidate Helps ensure that office- holders do a good job so that the party can stay in power

Governmental Function Party connections help executive and legislative branches of government to cooperate with one another Under separation of powers, the party connects the branches, (esp. E & L)

Parties watch each other -- the WATCHDOG FUNCTION The party “in power” is the party in charge of the EXECUTIVE branch If parties are watching each other’s actions, how will that help the people? If parties are watching each other, how will that hurt government processes ?

the WATCHDOG FUNCTION ACCOUNTABILITY: The party NOT in power has a responsibility to monitor the party in power. This is what is know as loyal opposition—or partisan politics. Partisan: Along party lines Bi-partisan: Two-parties

 Who is Earl Dodge?  The Prohibition Parties candidate for President of the US in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and  Why don’t you know him?  Democrats and Republicans dominate American politics  Who is Earl Dodge?  The Prohibition Parties candidate for President of the US in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and  Why don’t you know him?  Democrats and Republicans dominate American politics What does it mean?

What is a ► one of the many political parties that does not Minor/third receive wide voter support Party? Why a two-party system? That’s the way it has always been Force of Tradition Electoral System: State election laws are written to discourage minor parties. Americans tend to agree on important issues: We have a pluralistic society: range of culture/groups BUT, there is still a broad consensus Major parties tend to take moderate stands on issue

Other types of political systems Multiparty systems One Party systems— what comes to mind when you hear this? Which country would be more stable: a country with a two party system or a country with many parties?

Two Major Parties: Democrats: LIBERAL Republicans: CONSERVATIVE GOP: Grand Old Party

Party Followings Traditionally, many parts of the United States have been dominated by one party. What party dominates Baltimore? What party dominates Howard County? What party dominates western Maryland? What party dominates Maryland?

Red: Republican Blue: Democrat

Era’s for Presidents: : Democrats : Republicans : Democrats Start of a New Era: Era of Divided Government: 1968-present

Former Democratic Presidents President Franklin Delano RooseveltPresident Harry S. Truman

President John F. Kennedy President Lyndon B. Johnson

President Jimmy Carter President William Jefferson Clinton

Former Republican Presidents President Abraham LincolnPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower

President Ronald ReaganRichard M. Nixon

President George H.W. Bush President George W. Bush

Minor Parties in the United States Ideological parties Single issue parties Splinter parties

Ideological Party Focuses on effecting overall change in society Views tend to be extreme Long-term Socialist, communist, Nazi

Single-issue party Focuses on one major social, economic, or moral issue Short term, issues are no longer important or absorbed by major party

Splinter Party Splits away from major party because of a disagreement Form around strong leader, who normally failed to win major party’s nomination Lasts until leader loses support or issued absorbed TR’s “Bull Moose” Progressive Party split from the Republican Party in 1912.

What do third parties do? Improve the system by focusing on issues Act as a “spoiler” in an election. What do you think happens if a third party gains a lot of support?

Organization of political parties  Impact of Federalism:  Parties have offices at local, State and federal levels.  The Role of the President: The President is the leader of his or her party. The party not in power has no comparable leader. Organization of political parties  Impact of Federalism:  Parties have offices at local, State and federal levels.  The Role of the President: The President is the leader of his or her party. The party not in power has no comparable leader.

NATIONAL PARTY MACHINERY National Convention Committee The National Committee The National Chairperson The Congressional Campaign Committees

Three Basic Elements / Levels Party in the Electorate: Voters Party Organization: Workers Party in Government: Office Holders

Characteristics of Political Parties Parties are like HUGE businesses: Have leaders Leaders fight within the business Pyramid structure Have workers Have meetings/conventions