1. Political Parties

2. Issues, Principles and Party Realignment
Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper in complete sentences.
1. What did Washington and Adams say about political parties?
2. Why does Worley suggest that parties aren’t mentioned in the Constitution?
3. What are the 5 phases of Political Parties?
4. Why does Worley think there is an overdue alignment?
5. React to Theodore Roosevelt’s quote in the last paragraph of the article.

3. Overriding Questions
How has the decline of political parties influenced elections and campaigning?
How do political parties positively influence campaigns and elections and how do they negatively influence campaigns and elections?
How have campaigns and elections changed over time? How have they stayed the same?
How has money influenced elections and campaigns in a positive and negative manner?

4. Just what is a political party?
Can you name 4 political parties?
Where would you place these parties on the political spectrum?

5. What is a Party?
A political party is a group of people who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office.
The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties.
Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented. The American parties are election-oriented.

6. What do Parties Do?
Nominate—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office.
Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates.
Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.

7. As you reflect on your research on Minor Parties, Please 1
As you reflect on your research on Minor Parties, Please 1.Describe the Party, 2.Compare the Party to something else, and 3.finally argue for or against the party….
For Example…If I studied the Communist Party…
I would say: The Communist Party is a party that believes in the revolution of the working class into a classless society where all workers unite. It could be compared to anarchy because they believe that no one should be the leader of a society. Finally, I argue that the Communist Party is a positive force for democracy because they believe everyone is given a fair and equal chance and all resources are equally divided among the people.

17. Questions to consider…
Who is the barber?
Why do the perceptions of the mom and dad differ?
Do these perceptions match today’s reality?

18. Different Manifestations of Party: The Party As…
Ahnold says
“wote weepub-
lican!”
A Label…
An electorate…
An organization…
A set of leaders (run government)
Parties are
on the
march!
President Hillary…I like that!

19. Why is there a two Party System?
The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
The Force of Tradition. America has a two-party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them.

20. Additional reasons for two Party System…
Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States.

22. Factors that influence Party Membership

23. The First Political Parties
Federalists
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Represented wealthy and upper-class interests
Favored strong executive leadership and liberal interpretation of the Constitution
Anti-Federalists
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Represented the “common man”
Favored Congress as the strongest arm of government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

24. Party Systems One-Party; totalitarian, undemocratic
Bi-party; less choice, lots of stability
Multi-party; more choice, less stability
Problem of coalition government
US and England = Bi-party
Italy and Israel = Multi-party

25. Presidential Election Process and Third Parties
1. Who is Ross Perot?
2. What challenges do third parties face in the electoral process?
3. How does the media impact presidential elections?
4. Do you agree or disagree that Americans are an overindulged people? Why??

26. History of American Parties
The Founding
Founders disliked factionalism
First organized party was the followers of Jefferson, Republicans (not like they are defined today, more our present day Democratic party)
Followers of Hamilton kept the name Federalists

27. The Era of the Democrats
1800—1860
Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.
The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents.
The Republican Party is founded in 1854 on the basis of clear cut opposition to slavery.
Democratic party split because of the issue.

28. Economic Realignment 1896
Realignment-lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties
Depression hit farmers in the Midwest and the South
Prices paid to farmers was declining
Led to the development of the Green backers and the Populists
(Economic Protest Parties)

29. History Continued… The Era of the Republicans, 1860—1932
Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections.
The Civil War disabled the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.

30. Party Realignment or Critical Elections
Alternation of one party dominance to the other party
Critical Elections-sharp, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one of both parties
The issues that separate the parties change and so do the party supporters
5 critical realignments in history
(1800, 1828, 1860, 1896, 1932)
Critical realignment for the Republicans in ’94? Or party dealignment (due to weakened PP’s)?

31. The Third Era The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968
Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.
Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times.
The New Deal takes off!

32. What is the current party situation?
Factionalize within selves-distribute power and loose elections
Initiative and Referendum take away power of party and bring more power to the people
Dems have become more liberal
Repubs have become more conservative
Primaries especially to secure the “regulars”
Aim toward the middle during the general elections

33. Economic Protest Parties
Minor Parties in the United States
Types of Minor Parties
Ideological Parties
Example: Libertarian Party-rights of the individual
Single-issue Parties
Example: Free Soil Party-eliminate slavery
Economic Protest Parties
Example: The Greenback Party-against gov’t regulation of $
Splinter Party
Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive Party-against patronage system

34. Why are Minor Parties important?
Minor parties play several important roles:
“Spoiler Role”
Critic
Innovator

35. The Decentralized Nature of the Parties
Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented.
Why?

36. Minor Parties in the United States

37. Reasons for Party Decline
Mistrust of Government
Independents (Divided Government)
Split Ticket Voting
“Open” Primaries
Technology
End of Patronage
All of the above leads to…
Electoral Independence!!

38. The Rise of Independent Voters…

39. Mistrust of Government

40. Gerrymander Done EVERY ten years and controlled by State
Legislatures…that are controlled
by…You guessed it, a
POLITICAL PARTY!

41. How does the U.S. Compare to Europe?
In Europe people pay dues and go to meetings
US vote with party representation
No primary system in Europe-party leaders put you on the ballot
No parliamentary system in U.S.
No federalism in Europe
Majority in Europe to win election-will keep having run-off elections to determine a winner
Plurality in U.S. to win election (winner take all)

42. Party Platform Differences
The Political Parties are NOT the same. They are supported by different types of people who feel differently on issues. Bills in Congress reflect party-line voting at least 90% of the time! If there wasn’t a “dimes worth of difference” between the parties, this would not be the case.

43. What is a Political Platform?
States the main ideas of the party
Explains why it was started, stance on main issues and current agenda

45. State and Local Party Machinery
State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually follow the general principles below.

46. The Three Components of the Party
Party Components
The Party Organization:
Those who run and control the party machinery.
The Party in the Electorate
Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates.
The Party in Government
Those who hold office in the government.

47. More on the Future… For candidates:
Structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties
Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization
The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates with another source of financial support

48. To summarize the info we learned today…
Create a one sentence summary using the following prompt….
A___________is a kind of______________
that__________________.
___________happens because________________.