1. Chapter Eight:
Political Parties

2. Learning Objectives
Distinguish between a political party, an interest group, and a faction.
Identify the primary functions of a political party.
Identify and explain the significance of the distinct eras of political party development.

3. Learning Objectives
Explain the transformation of the Democratic Party from a party of limited government, states’ rights, and racism to a party of strong government, national authority, and support for civil rights.
Describe the core constituents and economic beliefs of the Republican and Democratic parties today.

4. Learning Objectives
Explain how economic politics and cultural politics often pull individual voters in different directions.
Explain the three faces of a political party: the party organization, the party in electorate, and the party-in-government.
Explain how the winner-take-all election system works against third parties.

5. Learning Objectives
Compare and contrast ideological third parties and splinter parties.
Explain what partisan realignment is and identify the four most important realignments in American history.
Briefly explain the rise of independent voters and split-ticket voting.
Define the concept of demographically based political tipping and give one contemporary example.

6. What Is a Political Party?
A political party is a group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.

7. What Is a Political Party?
Political parties differ from interest groups:
do not want to operate the government.
do not put forth political candidates.
interest groups tend to sharpen issues, while political parties tend to blur their issue positions to attract voters.

8. What Is a Political Party?
Functions of Political Parties
Recruit candidates for public office
Organize and run elections
Present alternative policies to voters
Accept responsibility for operating government
Act as organized opposition to party in power

9. A History of Political Parties in the United States
The Formative Years: Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Era of Good Feelings
National Two-Party Rule:
Whigs and Democrats

10. A History of Political Parties in the United States
The Civil War Crisis
The Post-Civil War Period
“Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion”
The Triumph of the Republicans

11. A History of Political Parties in the United States
The Progressive Interlude
The New Deal Era

12. A History of Political Parties in the United States
An Era of Divided Government:
From 1968–2010, the general pattern was often a Republican president and a Democratic Congress.
2000 Presidential Election (Red state–blue state)

13. The Two Major U.S. Parties Today
Economic beliefs:
Democrats are associated with improving the environment, education, energy problems, and health care.
Republicans are associated with dealing with terrorism, and solving the budget deficit.

14. The Two Major U.S. Parties Today

15. The Two Major U.S. Parties Today

16. The Two Major U.S. Parties Today
Cultural Politics and Socioeconomic status: lower income people tend to be socially conservative.
The Regional Factor in Cultural Politics: wealthier regions tend to support Democrats.

17. The Three Faces of a Party
Party-in-the-Electorate
Party Organization
Party-in-Government

18. The Three Faces of a Party
Party Organization
National Party Organization:
National Convention and Delegates
National Committee
National Chairperson
State Party Organization
Local Party Organization

19. The Three Faces of a Party

20. The Three Faces of a Party

21. The Three Faces of a Party
Party-in-Government
Divided Government
The Limits of Party Unity
Party Polarization

22. Why Has the Two-Party System Endured?
Historical foundations of the system
Political socialization and practical considerations
The winner-take-all electoral system
State and federal laws favoring the two-party system.

23. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Ideological Third Parties
Splinter Parties

24. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics

25. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics

26. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Impact of Minor Parties
Influence the Major Parties
Affect the Outcome of an Election

27. Mechanisms of Political Change
Realignment: major constituencies shift their allegiance from one party to another.
Dealignment: increase in independent voters.
Tipping: a group becomes more numerous over time and changes the political balance.

28. Mechanisms of Political Change

29. Web Links Democratic Party: www.democrats.org
Republican National Committee:
Libertarian Party:
Green Party of the United States:
Politics1.com Offers information on major U.S. parties and 50 minor parties:

30. What If…Parties Were Supported Solely by Public Funding?
Today’s major political parties are supported by hundreds of millions of dollars offered by unions, corporations, other groups, and individuals.
If funding was reduced, it would reduce the effectiveness of political parties.
Individuals, corporations, and interest groups could not contribute.

31. What If…Parties Were Supported Solely by Public Funding?
Possible effects:
Could reduce lobbying
Could lead to the growth of nonparty organizations
Could increase candidate fundraising.
Could lead to new, smaller political parties