Chapter 8 Political Parties © 2009, Pearson Education Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson, and Mayer New American Democracy, Sixth Edition

© 2009, Pearson Education What Parties Do Political Parties –Groups of like-minded people who band together in an attempt to take control of government –Central institutions of democratic governments Parties represent the primary connection between ordinary citizens and the public officials they elect –But many people do not consider political parties the heart of democracy –Many seem to think government would be better without them

© 2009, Pearson Education How Parties Contribute to Democratic Politics What do parties offer that make them valuable to democratic government? –organizing and operating the government –focusing responsibility for government action –developing issues and educating the public –synthesizing interests –recruiting and developing governmental talent –simplifying the electoral systems

© 2009, Pearson Education How Parties Detract from Democratic Politics Capturing governments and dictating what they do Confusing responsibility Suppressing the issues Dividing society Recruiting candidates for the wrong reasons Oversimplifying the electoral system

© 2009, Pearson Education The Balance Sheet Are they good or bad for democracy? Safest Answer: they are both. But what would our system be like without parties? Reformers may want radical change, but they may not think fully of the consequences of such change. Still, we must think critically about the actions of parties and their influence in undermining representation.

© 2009, Pearson Education Political Parties in American History The United States pioneered the mass parties that are considered vital in modern Europe The first parties were composed of political notables who supported Jefferson and Hamilton Quickly these personal followings became mass parties –1830s – Jacksonian Democrats and Whigs mass parties came much later in Europe –Today, parties are weaker but still very important

© 2009, Pearson Education The Party-Systems Interpretation of American History Political change occurs constantly, but the system as a whole remains relatively stable Occasionally, dramatic events can make change occur quickly Realignment scholars: four stable characteristics describe a party system: –The identity of the major parties –The relative balance of strength –The major issues –The party coalitions Party systems can change gradually or, sometimes, suddenly. –Major changes in the system are called realignments

© 2009, Pearson Education

Two-Party and Multi-Party Systems Two-party system –System in which only two major parties compete for office –In the minority among world democracies –Most democracies have multi-party systems Electoral system –a means of translating popular votes into control of public offices

© 2009, Pearson Education Two-Party and Multi-Party Systems Single-member, simple plurality system (SMSP) –Electoral system in which the country is divided into geographic districts, and the candidates who win the most votes within their districts are elected –The almost exclusive use of the SMSP electoral systems in the U.S. is an important part of the explanation for the American two-party system Proportional Representation (PR) –Electoral system in which parties receive a share of seats in parliament that is proportional to the popular vote they receive

© 2009, Pearson Education Two-Party and Multi-Party Systems In addition to the SMPS, other factors hurt the development of third parties in the U.S. –Ballot access laws –Campaign finance laws (presidential elections) –Patterns of media coverage

© 2009, Pearson Education

How Strong Are American Political Parties Today? In the 1970s, books were written about the decline and possible death of American political parties In the 1980s, the tune changed How did this happen? Perhaps it lies in the conception of political party

© 2009, Pearson Education How Strong Are American Political Parties Today? Party in the electorate –Had declined between 1964 and 1974 –Closet partisans –Today, ticket-splitting and party defection rates are down Party in government –Stronger than ever Party organization –But what of party organizations?

© 2009, Pearson Education The Decline of Party Organizations Harder to evaluate Party organizations were at their strongest at the point when the Progressive movement began The decline of American party organizations was largely a consequence of deliberate public policies –Elimination of party control of patronage –Elimination of party control of nominations

© 2009, Pearson Education The Decline of Party Organizations Other factors: –Communications revolution lessened the need for traditional parties –Technological developments have diminished the need for party workers and party support Elections rely instead on technology and money –Increase in mobility: social, economic and residential

© 2009, Pearson Education The Revival of Party Organizations? National committees were always the weakest level of the party organizations –Active only during presidential elections Today, they are active and well-financed State and local parties are active and well-financed as well Yet, does this equal party organization revival? –Much less control over their candidates –Reluctance to punish officeholders who fail to toe the party line –Contribute only fraction of resources spent on electioneering

© 2009, Pearson Education Parties Versus Interest Groups Theory: power of interest groups is negatively correlated with the power of parties Two premises: –Parties have incentives to synthesize narrow interests in order to make the broad appeals necessary to win elections –Strong parties can provide electoral resources and deliver the vote, freeing their candidates from dependence on interest-group resources and insulating them from reprisals

© 2009, Pearson Education Parties Versus Interest Groups Assumes two-party politics rather than multi-party politics. –In the latter, parties often make narrow appeals. Idea: when parties do not fill the political vacuum, then groups or some other influence will. Alternative to party domination –Not popular influence, but interest group influence