1. Political Parties
Chapter 8

2. The Meaning of Party Political Party:
A group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office
Endorse candidates and try to win elections!
Party leaders often disagree about policy and between elections parties are nearly invisible
Parties can be thought of in three parts:
Party in the electorate (how you identify yourself)
Party as an organization (activist who keep the party going. Run the offices, set budgets, etc.)
Party in government (elected officials – they don’t always agree on policy

3. The Meaning of Party Tasks of the Parties Linkage Institution
Parties Pick Candidates – the nomination process
Parties Run Campaigns – technology has reduced this task
Parties Give Cues to Voters – “I’m a Democrat so I think…”
Parties Articulate Policies – advocate specific policy alternatives
Parties Coordinate Policymaking – act as a support group

4. 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 & benefits.
To win elections, parties pursue policies that have broad appeal
Most of the electorate are in the middle and parties stay little from that point
Thus, the difference between the major parties become small
Rationally the parties have to differentiate themselves, to some extent, to build voter loyalty
Figure 8.1

6. The Meaning of Party
Do People See Differences Between the Parties? (Figure 8.2)

7. The Party in the Electorate
Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference.
No formal “membership”
For most people the party is a psychological label
Ticket-splitting:
Year
Dem
Ind
Rep
1964
52.2 23
24.8
1976
40.2
36.8
23.0
1988
35.7
36.3
28.0
2000
34.8
41.0
24.2

9. 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.
Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines.
Now urban party organizations are generally weak.
County organizations have partially filled the void.

10. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington
The 50 State Party Systems
Closed primaries: voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party
Open primaries: voters decide on election day which party to participate in, and then only that party
Blanket primaries: voters get a list of all candidates and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label
State party organizations are on an upswing in terms of headquarters and budgets.

11. 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.

12. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy
These are the party members actually elected to government.
Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help.
Coalition:
A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends.
Parties & politicians generally do what they say they will do.

14. Party Eras in American History
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.
Party Realignment
The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election.

15. Party Eras in American History
: The First Party System
Madison warned of “factions”
First party were the Federalists
: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs
Modern party founded by Jackson
Whigs formed mainly in opposition to Democrats

16. Party Eras in American History
: The Two Republican Eras
Republicans rose as the antislavery party
1896 election revolved around the gold standard
: The New Deal Coalition
Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

17. Party Eras in American History
Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.3)

18. Party Eras in American History
1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government
Party dealignment- disengagement of people from parties
Party neutrality- people are indifferent towards the two parties

19. Party Eras in American History

20. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics
Political parties other than Democrat or Republican
Rarely win elections

21. Third Parties – Ideological
Socialist, Communist, Libertarian
Based on a set of beliefs
Are usually long lasting with ardent supporters

22. Third Parties – Single Issue
Know Nothing, Free Soil Party
Promote a particular policy matter
Disappear once their issue has disappeared
Includes the economic protest parties (Greenback, Populist)

23. Third Parties - Splinter
Dixiecrats, Bull Moose, American Independent
Have “split” from a major party
Have had effects on elections
Usually form around a strong personality (TR, Perot, Anderson)

24. Why Two Parties Tradition Winner-take-all system:
Legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers (plurality).
Single-member districts
Difficulty in getting on the ballot
Other options
Proportional Representation:
Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party- more votes, more seats
Coalition Government:
Two or more parties join to run government

25. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics
Have controlled enough votes in 1/3 of the last 36 presidential election to have tipped the electoral college vote
Brought new groups into the electorate
Served as a “safety valve” for popular discontent
Brought new issues to the political agenda

26. Understanding Political Parties
Democracy and Responsible Party Government
1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs.
2. Candidates are committed to the program.
3. Majority party must carry out its program.
4. Majority party must accept responsibility.

27. Understanding Political Parties
Individualism and Gridlock
Easier to pass the buck than bite the bullet
Lack of uniformity even within parties
American Political Parties and the Scope of Government
Lack of uniformity keeps government small
But, it also makes cutting government programs harder to do

28. Understanding Political Parties
Is the Party Over?
No longer the chief source of information for voters
But, state and national party organizations are getting stronger
Majority of people still identify with a party, but still split their tickets
Parties will continue to be around