Political Parties and Ideology

What is a Party? Political Party – people who seek to control government through the winning of elections Political Party – people who seek to control government through the winning of elections Major Party – a party that wins control of government Major Party – a party that wins control of government

Major Parties There are two major parties in the U.S. Can you name them? There are two major parties in the U.S. Can you name them?

What is Ideology? Ideology is basically the way you look at how the world works Ideology is basically the way you look at how the world works There are two major ideologies in the United States There are two major ideologies in the United States – Liberal – Conservative

Liberal and Conservative You can mix the two to form your own individual ideology You can mix the two to form your own individual ideology

Liberal and Conservative Common Liberal Characteristics Common Liberal Characteristics –Desire progressive change in society –Concerned with protection of human and civil rights, equality –Examples: ACLU, Sierra Club, NAACP, NOW, labor unions, Dems.

Liberal and Conservative Common Liberal Issues Common Liberal Issues –Pro-choice –Affirmative Action –Gun control –Aid to the poor –Protecting the environment –Gay rights

Liberal and Conservative Common Conservative Characteristics Common Conservative Characteristics –Desire to keep things as they are, maintain the status-quo –Change should be cautious, slow –Concerned with stability and order in society –Desire to maintain moral values and traditions

Conservative Conservative Common Conservative Issues Common Conservative Issues –Anti-abortion –Allowing prayer in schools –Cutting taxes –Cutting business regulations –Immigration control –Increased military spending

Liberal and Conservative Often times, people hear what they want to hear from facts to support their ideology Often times, people hear what they want to hear from facts to support their ideology For example… For example…

What Do Parties Do? That’s the easiest question you’ve asked all semester.

What Do Parties Do? Nominate Candidates Nominate Candidates Activate Supporters Activate Supporters The “Bonding Agent” Function – insure officeholders do a good job The “Bonding Agent” Function – insure officeholders do a good job Govern Govern Act as a Watchdog Act as a Watchdog

Donkeys & Elephants DemocratRepublican DemocratRepublican Harry ReidJohn Boehner Harry ReidJohn Boehner

The Two-Party System Why do we have a two party system? Why do we have a two party system? –1. Historical Basis – Federalists & Anti-Federalists? –2. Tradition – it has always been that way…

The Two-Party System 3. American Ideological Consensus – 3. American Ideological Consensus – People should own property People should own property –We should have equality –People have the right to vote –Freedom of expression

The Two-Party System 4. The Electoral System – the U.S. uses single-member districts… that means only one person wins representation from each district 4. The Electoral System – the U.S. uses single-member districts… that means only one person wins representation from each district

What’s the Big Deal? The Italians love women... The Italians love women...

Multiparty Systems Many lesser parties compete for a win public office Many lesser parties compete for a win public office Mostly in Europe and South American democracies Mostly in Europe and South American democracies Many parties must form a coalition, or a group of parties that form a majority Many parties must form a coalition, or a group of parties that form a majority

One-Party Systems Found in dictatorships where only one party is allowed Red is the international color of communism: Cold War slogan, “Better Dead than Red !”

Party Membership Patterns Party membership is voluntary. Party membership is voluntary. Each party must try to attract as much $upport as po$$ible Each party must try to attract as much $upport as po$$ible AZ. Senator Jeff Flake AZ. Senator Jeff Flake

Party Membership Patterns Tend to be Democrat – Tend to be Democrat – Women Women African Americans, African Americans, Catholics & Jews, Catholics & Jews, Union Members, Union Members, Lower Income, Lower Income, Lower Education, Lower Education, Under 30, Under 30, Over 60 Over 60

Party Membership Patterns Tend to be Republican – Tend to be Republican – Men, Men, WASPs, WASPs, Work in the Business Community, Work in the Business Community, Higher Income, Higher Income, Higher Education, Higher Education, Middle-Aged Middle-Aged

History of the Two-Party System The First Two Parties The First Two Parties – Federalists  Founded by Alexander Hamilton (on your $10 bill…)  Believed in forming a strong national government, supported policies that favored bu$ine$$...  “The business of America is business,” said Calvin Coolidge

History of the Two-Party System The First Two Parties The First Two Parties – Democratic-Republicans/Anti- Federalists  Founded by Thomas Jefferson  Believed in limiting the federal government’s power, and supported policies that benefited the “common man”

History of the Two-Party System Era of the Democrats ( ) Era of the Democrats ( ) – Democratic-Republicans had come to dominate politics, but then broke into two factions, the Democrats and Whigs

History of the Two-Party System Era of the Republicans ( ) Era of the Republicans ( ) – Began with Abraham Lincoln – Republicans dominated elections due to support from businesses and African Americans – Democrats only won in the South

History of the Two-Party System The Return of the Democrats ( ) The Return of the Democrats ( ) – The Great Depression turned people against the Republican Party – Dwight Eisenhower was the only Republican from this period

History of the Two-Party System Divided Government (1968-Present) Divided Government (1968-Present) – Nixon’s Watergate scandal has led people to distrust government – Characterized by different parties controlling Congress & POTUS – Country is evenly divided (remember the 2000 election?)

Minor Parties Why run for election when you know you will lose? Why run for election when you know you will lose? – Act as the “spoiler” (Perot in 1992, Nader in 2000)

Minor Parties Why run for election when you know you will lose? Why run for election when you know you will lose? – Make your issues public, get the major parties to adopt them –Ron Paul

Minor Parties Why run for election when you know you will lose? Why run for election when you know you will lose? – Criticize the major parties –(Ralph Nader)

Types of Minor Parties Ideological Parties – based on a set of beliefs Ideological Parties – based on a set of beliefs – Tend to be long lasting –Examples: Communist, Socialist, Libertarian

Types of Minor Parties Single-Issue Parties – concentrate on one public policy matter Single-Issue Parties – concentrate on one public policy matter – Name usually reflects their issue – Party dies after the issue fades or one of the major parties adopts their issue – Examples: Free Soil, Nativist, Right to Life, Prohibition, 2 nd Amendment

Types of Minor Parties Economic Protest Parties – arise during periods of poor economy, and express disgust with rallies/town halls, etc… Economic Protest Parties – arise during periods of poor economy, and express disgust with rallies/town halls, etc… – Usually sectional, drawing support from one region of the country – They invent an “enemy” of the economy and blame them – Examples: Greenback, Populist, Tea Party

Types of Minor Parties Splinter Parties – break away from one of the major parties Splinter Parties – break away from one of the major parties – Usually form around a strong personality –Typically have short-term success – Fade away when the leader steps aside – Examples: Bull Moose, American Independent, Reform