Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 Political Parties Chapter 8 Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005

What Parties Do Political Parties –They are groups of like-minded people who band together in an attempt to take control of government. 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.

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 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

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 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 reason Oversimplifying the electoral system

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 The Balance Sheet Are they good or bad for democracy? 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.

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 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 –Today, parties are weaker but still very critical.

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 The Party-Systems Interpretation of American History Political change usually occurs gradually. Dramatic events can make change occur quickly. Party alignments: –existence of social and economic groups that consistently support each party Critical elections: –election that marks the emergence of a new, lasting alignment of partisan support within the electorate

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 The Party-Systems Interpretation of American History Realignment –occurs when the pattern of group support for political parties shifts in a significant and lasting way. –Example: Latter half of the 20 th century when the white South shifted from Democratic to Republican Party.

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 Two-Party and Multi-Party Systems Two-party system –system in which only two significant parties compete for office –Two-party systems are 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

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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 Proportional Representation (PR) –electoral system in which parties receive a share of seats in parliament that is proportional to the popular vote they receive

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How Strong Are American Political Parties Today? Some argue genuine political parties are dead and the system is decomposed. Some say they have declined and reemerged as changed entities.

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 The Decline of Party Organizations Party organizations were at their strongest at the point where 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

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 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 active and well-financed as well –Yet, does this equal party organization revival? –much less control over their candidates

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2005 Parties Versus Interest Groups Theory: Power of interest groups is negatively correlated with the power of parties –When parties are strong, groups are weak and vice versa. –If argument is valid, then the real alternative to party domination is not popular influence but interest-group influence.