Political Parties

What is a political Party? A group of citizens who organize to… 1. win elections 2. hold public office 3. operate the government 4. determine public policy

Levels of American Political Parties Party electorate is made up of Democrats or Republicans Party organization includes national leaders, state chairpersons, county chairpersons, and other activists. (independent and not centrally controlled) Party in government includes the party’s candidates and office holders

Functions of Parties Recruiting and nominating candidates for public office Running political campaigns Articulating positions on issues Critiquing the policies of the party in power Serving as a link between citizens and government How?

Types of Party systems One-party systems – 1 party has total control China, Korea, Iran Multiparty System – number of political parties compete for offices Parties represent a wide variety of issues France, Italy, Israel Two-party system – two major political compete for control of offices US is 1 of 15 nations United Kingdom, India, Jamaica

Why 2 parties? Strong consensus on core political values Freedom, political equality, individualism, equality under the law Never had a strong socialist party dedicated to a new political system Most identify as moderates Single member districts Visit this in the next slide… Legal barriers to third parties Dems and Reps automatically put on ballot Third party need petitions to be on ballot Historic tradition Since 1800’s Generated traditions and laws – difficult to include a minor party

*Single Member Districts Almost all elections are held in single-member districts – one candidate elected to each office on ballot Much different than proportional system where legislative seats are in proportion to votes received Minimal chance with winner-take-all, single-member system for third party to gain enough support Candidate with most votes wins the office Plurality election- candidate with most votes Majority election – winning candidate receives more than half of all votes casted (Electoral College)

Party Eras Party Era – historic periods dominated by one party Critical Election – national crisis forces voters to confront divisive issues. Members change traditional patterns Party realignment – triggered by a critical election

The Frist party System 1796-1824 Alexander Hamilton, Federalist supported strong national government and national bank Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, Democratic-Republicans supported limited federal government and opposed the national bank. Jefferson defeated Federalist president John Adams in 1800. First time that a party in power peacefully gave up power after losing an election.

Jackson and the Democrats 1828-1856 Andrew Jackson, Democratic Party supported voting rights for all white males, opposed a national bank, and used the spoils system to reward party loyalists Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, Whigs supported high tariffs and the national bank. Two Presidents = William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor

The Republican Era 180-1928 Slavery dominated politics in 1850’s – split Democrats and ended the Whigs Abraham Lincoln, Republican Party emerged as antislavery party. Only party in history to go from minor to major party status – election of Lincoln Democrats were dominant part in the South. Southern Dems became a fixture in politics for the next 100 years 1896 = second critical election with William McKinley (R) and Willaim Jennings Bryan (D)

FDR and New Deal Coalition 1932-1964 Great Depression = abrupt end to Republican dominance New Deal = social reforms Party realignments with urban dwellers and African Americans who had traditionally been Reps

*Divided Government 1968 - Present Nixon marked another Republican Era (except Carter, all Presidents were Rep until 1993. Starting with Nixon, Rep tried to break Southern Dem dominance. Slowly see South transfer loyalty to Republican. 2008 Republicans held majority of southern house and senate seats Nixon’s election was first time in a century that the White House held one party and Congress held another. Same control has only happened for 12 years Seeing a rise in “Independents” and less identify with either major party