1. Politics and Parties

2. Politics and Parties Parties and Interest Groups

3. What is a political party? “A party is a body of men united, for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interest, upon some particular principle in which they are all agreed.” Edmund Burke, 1770

4. What is a political party? “A coalition of men seeking to control the governing apparatus by legal means.” Anthony Downs, 1957

5. What is a political party? “A coalition of elites to capture and use political office…but…more than a coalition…an institutionalized coalition, one that has adopted rules, norms, and procedures.” John Aldrich, 1995

6. What is a political party? “A durable social formation which seeks offices or power in government, exhibits a structure…which links leaders at the centers of government to a significant popular following in the political arena and its local enclaves, and generates in-group perspectives or at least symbols of identification or loyalty.” William Nisbet Chambers (1967)

7. What is a political party? It aims to promote certain policies It inspires loyalty among voters who agree with those policies It works to gain power in government –By nominating and fighting for the election of candidates It is an organization with rules It also organizes coalitions within government, simplifying policymaking

8. 3 ways to think about party Party as organization Party in the electorate (and in elections) Party in government

9. What is an interest group? A group in society That tries to influence government That is not a part of the government That may or may not have a membership base That does NOT run candidates for office