Political Parties Chapter 8 Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry 16 th Edition – Updated Fall 2015

Introduction What was the 2010 “Pledge to America”? How was it similar to “Contract With America”?

The Meaning of Party Political Party: According to Anthony Downs, a “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election” Why do political parties exist? Do party members always agree on policy?

Parties can be thought of in three parts: Party in the electorate – people who see themselves as party members Party as an organization – National office, full- time staff, etc. They keep the party running between elections Party in government – elected officials who call themselves member of the party. They are the main spokespeople of the party.

The Meaning of Party Tasks of the Parties Linkage Institution: the channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda What are the 4 linkage institutions? Parties Pick Candidates - nomination Parties Run Campaigns – candidates also campaign solo Parties Give Cues to Voters – party image Parties Articulate Policies – advocate policy alternatives Parties Coordinate Policymaking – look to partisans for support

The Meaning of Party Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model Rational-choice theory Assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives Downs Model Voters maximize chances that policies they favor are adopted by government. Parties want to win elected office. Wise parties select policies that are widely favored Successful parties don’t stray too far from the midpoint of public opinion

The Meaning of Party The Downs Model

The Party in the Electorate Party image: a voter’s perception of what Republicans or Democrats stand for Party identification: a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other Republican, Democrat, or Independent Ticket-splitting: voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices Independents are most likely to split tickets. No state or race is completely safe due to split tickets. Rise in Independents -> Ticket Splitting -> Divided Government -> Policy Gridlock

Party Identification in the US

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington These are the people that work for the party. Local Parties Party Machines: a type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern – dominated cities between the late 19 th century and the 1930s Patronage: a job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit; used by party machines Due to progressive reforms, urban party organizations are generally weak. Revitalization of party organization at county level

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington The 50 State Party Systems Closed primaries: Only people who have registered with the party can vote for that party’s candidates. Open primaries: Voters decide on Election Day whether they want to vote in the Democrat or Republican primary. Blanket primaries: Voters are presented with a list of candidates from all parties. State parties are better organized in terms of headquarters and budgets than they used to be.

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington The National Party Organizations National Convention: the meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party’s platform National Committee: one of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions National Chairperson: responsible for day-to-day activities of the party

The Party in Government: Promises and Policy Party members actually elected to government Which party controls government has policy consequences. Coalition: a group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends Who are the Democrats’ coalition? Republicans? Parties and politicians generally act on their campaign promises.

Party Coalitions Today

Party Platforms 2012 – Part 1

Party Platforms 2012 – Part 2

Party Eras in American History Party Eras Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to the party in power Critical Election An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge Sometimes marked by a national crisis Party Realignment The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election – people leave one party and join another New coalition is formed for each party and endures for many years

Party Eras in American History : The First Party System Madison warned of “factions” Federalists: first political party (Hamilton) Democratic Republicans replaced the Federalists : Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs Modern party founded by Jackson Whigs formed mainly to oppose Jacksonian Democrats Whigs supported by Northern industrialists and Southern planters

Party Eras in American History : The Two Republican Eras Republicans rose as the antislavery party Civil War brought party realignment 1896 election centered on industrialization Republicans maintain control through Stock Market Crash : The New Deal Coalition Americans needed relief from the Great Depression. FDR promised Americans a “New Deal” New Deal coalition: forged by the Democrats; consisted of urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics, Jews, the poor, Southerners

Party Eras in American History 1968-Present: Southern Realignment and The Era of Divided Party Government Democrats had long controlled the Southern states. Nixon hoped to change this by appealing to conservative Southerners in The Southern realignment has happened gradually over 40 years was also the first time in the 20 th century that a President came into the White House without his party in control of BOTH houses of Congress (“Presidential coattails”)

1968-Present: Southern Realignment and The Era of Divided Party Government The current era is one of “divided government” (The same party has been in control of the Exec and Leg branch only 12 of the 44 years from 1969 to 2012) Divided government: one party controls Congress and the other controls White House Divided government due in part to: Party dealignment: disengagement of people from BOTH parties as evidenced by shrinking party identification, seen by an increase in voters identifying as independents Party neutrality: people are indifferent towards the two parties

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Third parties: electoral contenders other than the two parties; rarely win elections Third parties are important. Are “safety valves” for popular discontent Bring new groups and ideas into politics Two-party system Discourages extreme views Contributes to political ambiguity – parties don’t want to take a strong stand on controversial issues

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics Multiparty Systems in Other Countries Winner-take-all system: legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers Proportional Representation: legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party - more votes, more seats Coalition Government: two or more parties join to form a majority in a national legislature

Understanding Political Parties Parties are essential elements of democracy Democracy and Responsible Party Government Responsible Party Model 1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs. 2. Candidates are committed to the program. 3. The majority party must carry out its program. 4. The majority party must accept responsibility. American political parties fall short of these conditions. No mechanism for party discipline

Understanding Political Parties American Political Parties and the Scope of Government Lack of uniformity keeps government small Big programs like Health Care (1994) fail But also makes cutting government programs difficult Individuals focus on getting more from government for their own constituents

Results of Weakened Parties Parties no longer control campaigns or nominations Parties can’t tell members they have to vote the party line Party leaders can’t take numerical advantages for granted – members may not vote with the party Blue Dog Democrats : Fiscally conservative Democrats, mostly from the South and rural areas of the US, don’t want to enlarge the scope of government

Understanding Political Parties Is the Party Over? Political parties are no longer main source of information for voters; media are Yet parties will play an important but diminished role in American politics State and national party organizations have become more visible and active Majority of people still identify with a party

Summary Parties are a pervasive linkage institution in American politics. Party in electorate, government, and as organization America has a two-party system. The decentralized nature of political parties makes major change difficult and encourages individualism in politics.