1. Chapter Eight
political parties

2. Learning Outcomes
Define the concept of a political party and explain how political parties participate in the political system.
Demonstrate an understanding of how the political parties originated in the United States and how their strength has increased or decreased over time.
Explain the major differences in the demographics of the supporters of Republicans and Democrats and discuss how the party positions differ on issues.

3. Learning Outcomes
Identify the three major components of the political party and explain why these components are not necessarily consistent with each other.
Explain the factors in the American political system that reinforce a two-party system and discuss why minor or third parties are rarely successful.

4. What Is a Political Party?
Group of political activists who organize to:
Win elections
Operate the government
Determine public policy
Factions: subgroups trying to obtain power or benefits
No permanent organization

5. What Is a Political Party?
Political Parties
Run government
Select candidates
Multiple issues (party platform)
Tends to blur issues
Interest Groups
Influence government
Support candidates
Often a single issue
Tends to sharpen issues
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

6. Tea Party Rally
A California Tea Party supporter holds her sign at the annual tax day rally on April 15, Why does the Tea Party claim that it is not a political party although it does endorse candidates and work for their election? (© ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy)

7. What Is a Political Party?
Functions
Recruit candidates
Organize and run elections
Present alternatives to electorate
Responsibility for operating government
Provide organized opposition

8. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Two-party system since 1800
Shaped by unique historical forces
Emergence linked to form of government created by Constitution

9. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Major periods:
Creation of parties (1789 to 1816)
Personal politics, one-party rule (1816 to 1828)
Jacksonian to pre-Civil War (1828 to 1860)
Civil War and post Civil War (1860 to 1896)
Progressive era (1896 to 1932)
New Deal era (1932 to 1968)
Modern period (1968 to the present)

10. A History of Political Parties in the United States
The Formative Years: Federalists/Anti-Federalists
Partisan politics
Two parties emerge
Thomas Jefferson, founder of the first Republican Party. His election to the presidency in 1800 was one of the world’s first transfers of power through a free election. (Library of Congress)
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

11. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Era of Good Feelings
James Monroe administration ( )
Competition between Republican candidates
Era of personal politics
Democrats and Whigs
Two-party politics returns
Jackson/Democratic party (1828): common man
Whigs (Republican faction): active federal government

12. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Civil War crisis and post-Civil War period
Divided by slavery issue
Northern Whigs unite with antislavery Democrats to form modern Republican Party
After war, Democrats dominate the South
“Rum, Romanism and rebellion”
Populism
Triumph of the Republicans

13. The 1896 Presidential Election
Figure 8-1
(© Cengage Learning)

14. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Progressive Interlude ( )
Political reform due to economic pressures
Republican Party temporarily splits
Democratic progressive Wilson elected
Democratic Party changes
No longer party of limited government
In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt campaigned on a third-party Progressive, or Bull Moose ticket. Here you see a charter membership certificate showing Roosevelt and his vice-presidential candidate, Hiram W. Johnson. (© Bettman/CORBIS)

15. A History of Political Parties in the United States
New Deal Era
Major Democratic intervention in economy
Democrats gain African American support
FDR forms broad political coalition
Democrats mostly dominate until 1968

16. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Era of Divided Government
Social issues gain in importance
Civil rights/Vietnam change alliances
Neither party dominates
Era of shifting majorities
Red States vs. Blue States

17. A History of Political Parties in the United States
Partisanship trends in 2012 elections

18. The Presidential Elections of 2012
Figure 8-2

19. The Two Major Parties Today
The parties’ core constituents
Economic beliefs
Recent economic convergence?
Cultural politics
Democrats: social programs and increased government intervention in economy
Republicans: private marketplace, limited government and self-reliance
Regional factors

20. The Two Major Parties Today
2012 elections: economic and social values

21. Republican Issues and Democratic Issues, 2008 and 2012
Figure 8-3
(The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, a project of the Pew Research center, March 11, 2012)

22. The Three Faces of a Party
Party-in-the-electorate
All individuals claiming attachment
Do not need to formally participate

23. Three Faces of a Party Party organization (structural framework)
National
Convention delegates
National Committee
National Chairperson
State party organization
Local (grassroots) organization
Patronage and city machines
Local party organizations

24. Three Faces of a Party Party-in-government
Elected officials and appointed officials
Role of partisanship
Divided government increasing
Party unity limited
Party polarization

25. National Party Conventions
Democratic Convention
Republican Convention
(LEFT) Two convention delegates from Colorado cheer as their governor, John Hickenlooper, addresses the convention. The Party conventions are intended to build enthusiasm among party members and supporters and to show off their political leaders to the American public. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
(RIGHT) Republican Convention delegates wave flags on the last day of the 2012 Convention in Tampa, Florida. They await the arrival of nominee Mitt Romney who will give his acceptance speech that night. (ROBYN BECK/Getty Images)
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

26. Three Faces of a Party The state party organization
More than 100 state party organizations
State central committee and chairperson
Local party machinery: the grassroots
District leaders, precinct/ward captains, party workers
Patronage and city machines
Local party organizations still powerful
Factions

27. Convention Delegates and Voters: How Did They Compare on the Issues in 2008?
Figure 8-4

28. Why Has the Two-Party System Endured?
Historical foundations
Political socialization and practical considerations
Winner-take-all electoral system
Presidential voting (electoral college)
Proportional representation
State and federal laws favor the two-party system
Ruling parties work to remain in control
Party organization limited for independents

29. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Third parties
Formed from scratch by those committed to issue or ideology
Major party split
Form around charismatic leader
Often barometers of change
H. Ross Perot, third-party candidate for president in 1992 and 1996, speaks before a California Senate committee in (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

30. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Ideological third parties
Members regard themselves as outsiders
Do look for immediate electoral success
Splinter parties/factions
Split from major parties
Bull Moose Progressive Party
Reform Party

31. The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Impact of minor parties
Influencing the major parties
Affecting the outcome of an election
Spoiler in 2000 elections?
But should voters ignore third parties?

32. The Most Successful Third-Party Presidential Campaigns since 1864
Table 8-1
(Source: Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections,

33. Mechanisms of Political Change
Realignment (voters switch party allegiance)
Myth of dominance
Myth of predictability
Realignment still possible?

34. Mechanisms of Political Change
Dealignment (decline in party loyalties)
Independent voters
Decline in straight ticket voting
Not-so-independent voters
Tipping
Often due to immigration

35. Party Identification from 1937 to Present
Figure 8-5

36. Mechanisms of Political Change
On to the future
Both parties striving for dominance
Republicans hope to gain votes on basis of cultural and economic conservatism
Democrats looking to attract youth, female and Latino voters
Impact of moderates and independents