Political Parties 4/17/2012

Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: – discuss and critically analyze political events in the United States government – students will be able to identify and explain the role of informal institutions and their effect on policy. – students will be able to assess the 2010 and 2012 elections without resorting to partisan bickering.

Office Hours and Readings Chapter 7 Office Hours – Today 11-2 – Wednesday 10-2

THE PARTIES ARE DIFFERENT

For Groups to Matter They must be large They must vote They Must be loyal

Race Race is more important than class African Americans form a political self- conscious group. And Identify with the Democratic Party

Unlike other nations, social class doesn’t dominate The Parties do not try to exploit social class We are all middle class

Social Class and Partisanship Republicans Do better with poor whites in the South Do better with Upper Middle Class voters Historically have done better with Middle Class voters Democrats Do better with poor and working class Do better with the very wealthiest Do better with Union Members

Women and Voting Women vote more than men The Gender Gap – Women vote more for Democratic Candidates – Ranges from 5-10 Points in Presidential elections – Issue ownership

Gender in 2008

Marital Status

Married vs. Single Women Married women vote more Republican Self-Identified Feminists are very Democratic

Where are the Votes?

Gender in 2010 The Gap is Down to 1%, the Republicans fare much better Romney needs something similar if he is to win.

Religion Americans tend to be more religious than other Western nations. We belong to churches and go more than other nations

Jewish Voters The Exception to the Rule Share many Republican characteristics, but are Democratic More liberal than other groups, except on Israel policy Meet all 3 criteria in 2 states

The Religion Gap

The biggest differences lie in the beliefs of activists on both sides

WHAT ABOUT THIRD PARTIES?

What is it Any party other than the major 2 Can be a third, fourth etc.

How Do Third Parties Emerge New Parties come from – The Gap between the parties – On the fringe – From within the party Around an Emerging Issue

What Third Parties Want to Do Win electionsThreaten Existing Parties

Why They Lose The System is Geared against them It is easy to steal their issues They run political nobodies

"In no country of the world, has the principle of association been more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objects than in America“ Alexis de Tocqueville

The Interest Groups in the Constitution No specific mention Feared by the framers Lets pray that Madison is right

WHAT DO INTEREST GROUPS DO

All interest Groups Must: Share an interest Know the Interest Be Organized

Political Interest Groups Are private Non-Governmental Seek policy

What do they Do Link Members to Government Represent Members views Educate members and the publicpublic

WHY INTEREST GROUPS FORM

Constitutional Reasons Protected by the First Amendment The right to “peaceably assemble” Federalism

Diversity Our diverse society creates many differences which give rise to different interests and view on public issues – Issue Diversity – Ideological Diversity – Economic Diversity – Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Traditional Pluralist Theory Writings of David Truman (no relation to Harry) Groups will form naturally to press their views on government Even Unformed groups play a role

Disturbance Theory Groups will respond to other groups What will they do – Change the Status Quo – Return to the status quo – Go in a new Direction

THE LOGIC OF COLLECTIVE ACTION An Alternate theory of Group Formation

Collective Action The Writings of Mancur Olson Groups form if it is convenient Groups form for Benefits

Logistics of Group Formation Potential Membership – Big groups form more easily (fewer costs) – Small groups have to share less (more benefits) Geography (not as important today)

Direct Benefits Benefits that only members get Excludes Non-members Economic benefits are most lucrative

Collective benefits Benefits that the group works for.... Everyone gets No One is Denied

Groups that Provide Collective Benefits

Overcoming the Free-Rider Problem You have to offer people some incentive to join Appeal to our greed, or appeal to our ideology These are selective incentives

Selective Incentives Tangible Benefits Real benefits given to members by the group People outside of the group do not get the goodies The AARPAARP Ideological Benefits Moral incentives Appeals to one’s ideology Guilt-ing PeoplePeople

Groups that cannot offer any benefits will not be able to form

KINDS OF INTEREST GROUPS

Private Interest Groups Limit their Membership and their benefits Business Groups Labor Unions Labor

Public Interest Groups Concerned with that group’s perception of the general welfare of the population Anyone can join Everyone receives the benefits

Single Issue Groups Concerned with a single policy issue Ensures that members know what they do

Umbrella Groups Concerned with multiple issues within a larger policy area Potential for more resources Potential for in-fighting

Interest Groups Today Fragmentation Specialization Cannibalization – Greenpeace vs. Whale Wars Wars

COMPONENTS OF INTEREST GROUP POWER

Money and Size This is a recursive relationship There is a problem of being “too big”

Cohesion and Intensity Does the group stick together Are the members willing to fight for the interests of the group

Access The Number one goal of an interest group If no one hears your message, it is wasted