POLITICAL PARTIES

How do U.S. political parties differ from European parties? European voters are more loyal Federal system decentralizes power Parties regulated by state & federal laws Candidates are not chosen by party leaders Also –Unimportant in life – Americans do not join or pay dues

The first political parties Founders disliked parties ( factions) Democratic- Republicans & Federalists –Begin with differing views of the constitution and political notables

Figure 7.3: Cleavages and Continuity in the Two-Party System (cont’d)

3. Discuss the reason for party decline Party loyalty has declined Split-ticket voting* Increase in Independents No longer sources of political information

Figure 7.1: Decline in Party Identification, : Source: National Election Studies, The NES Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior, , table 20.1.

Roles of Minor Parties Critics“Spoilers” Ideas are often borrowed by major parties

Types of Minor Parties 1. Ideological parties – comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Ex. – Libertarian & Socialist party 2. Single-issue party – concentrate on one public-policy issue. Ex. – Right to Life Party

3. Economic protest – Economic discontent Ex. – Populist 4. Splinter parties – a party that has split away from one of the major parties. Ex. – “Bull Moose” and American Independent

Fundamental Goal To win elections Why? To control government

DO THE PARTIES DIFFER? Democrats & Republicans Democrats – Women, Union workers, teachers, urban, African-American & other minorities, Catholic & Jews Issues – Pro-choice, gov’t regulations on businesses and support social welfare programs

Republicans- white males, business community, rural, Protestants Issues – pro-life, lower taxes, and favor private market forces in the economy

What factors tend to influence ones choice in political parties?

Family Major events Economic status Other

Table 7.2: The Rise of Republican Politics in the South,

Table 7.3: Party Voting in Presidential Elections

Critical Elections Sharp and lasting shift in coalitions Major defeat of a party, and a new one taking its place New issue

TWO-PARTY SYSTEM RARE IN THE WORLD U.S. SYSTEM - WHY? Historical The force of Tradition Basic consensus on fundamental matters Electoral system –Winner-take-all

Map 7.1: The Election of 1828

Map 7.2: The Election of 1860

Map 7.3: The Election of 1896

Map 7.4: The Election of 1932

Table 7.4: The Public Rates the Two Parties

Table 7.5: How Party Delegates and Party Voters Differ in Liberal Ideology

Table 7.6: Political Opinions of Delegates and Voters

Journal Does a difference exist between the Democratic and Republican parties? Consider how the voters and candidates differ on the issues.

Two-Party System in American History Three Eras of single-party domination

Era of Democrats Era of Republicans Era of Democrats Era of Divided Gov’t