Political Parties

1. Political Parties Chapter 8

2. The Meaning of Party • Party Competition • Battle of the parties for control of public offices • Political Party: • A Beacon in the fog of politics - a group of “like-minded individuals” whose purpose is to gain control of gov’t through elections and make policy.

3. Components of Political Parties • Parties can be thought of in three parts: A 3 headed political GIANT: • Party in the electorate • Voluntary membership • Party as an organization • Nat’l, state and local day to day operations whose goal is to select candidates, building platforms, win elections. • Party in government • elected officials - party or power elites who sometimes agree on policy or the making of policy.

4. Functions of Parties • Parties sponsor grassroots mobilization, energizing members to support a candidate or proposal. • Parties are a linkage institution connecting citizens with government.

5. Functions of Parties • All parties promotes the same purpose: • Pick candidates via a nomination • Run campaigns • Establish an image • Give cues to voters • Articulate policies through their platforms • Coordinate policymaking • Compete for votes

6. Rational Choice Theory Down’s Rational Choice theory states . . . • voters want certain issues addressed and adopted by gov’t soooooooo • parties want to win office byyyyyyyyy • selecting policies that are widely favored. . . by the populous. . .nobody votes for losers. . .only for winners! • centrist policies usually win. . .don’t drift too far from moderate proposals.

7. Party Image Voter’s perception of what the GOP or Dems stand for (conservative/liberal) Party Identification Citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other Those registered for a party will likely vote for its candidates Many voters have moved to the middle of party identification - a de-alignment of party ID. 2000 election had over 40% claiming independent monikers. . .w/ Democrats losing more ID than Republicans. The Party in the Electorate: About the Voters

8. An Era of Divided Government • Ticket-splitting: • Voting for candidates of different parties. • The result is often divided government. • Since 1968, era of “Divided gov’t. . .” • one party runs the Exec Branch • the other controls Congress • which could create legislative gridlock.

9. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington • Local and State Parties • Party Machines exchanged votes for favors • Patronage—when a patron in government gives political supporters benefits • Pendleton Civil Service Act led to a merit based civil service and diminished machines. • National parties are weak compared to state and local parties.

10. Party machines – The Hunt for the right candidate? • Each state manages its own party operation - a decentralized and fragmented system. • Patronage dominates - It’s the good boy/girl club. .Party regulars become gov’t appointees IF . . . • Finding the right candidates takes parties through “grass roots” democracy, until the inTERparty campaign begins. It seems to last foooooooor evvvvverrrrr to find the right candidates! • How does one come across a potential party elite? Be a party regular! and hold a public office at some level - US Congressperson or state Govenor

11. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington • Local (State) Parties Run Primaries • Closed: voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party • Open: independents and those registered to a party may vote in that party’s primary • Primaries and caucuses weaken national party organizations

12. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington • The National Party Organizations • National Convention (Select presidential + VP candidates, sets platform, endorses all party nominees for other offices!) • National Committee • National Chairperson • Relative to other countries, our national organizations are weak. • Attempting to manage 50 states’ operations • Campaign highway goal - form enough coalitions ( of SIGS) to win the election INTERpartyevent • dominate the media • vanquish your opponent via attack ads!

13. What is the Tea Party? • The Tea Party stands for “taxed enough already.” • The Tea Party, although it runs candidates, is not a party. • Tea Party candidates run as Republicans. • So, the Tea Party is a faction within the Republican Party

14. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy • Party members actually elected to government. • Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected than other countries, but they still need help. • Lack of Party Discipline in U.S. • Coalition: • A group of groups with a common interest who support a political party over time. • NOT the same as a coalition in parliamentary governments.

15. Party Eras inAmerican History • US Parties typically been two-party - offering American voters a choice. . .which is what democracy is all about! • Historically • Federalists v. anti-federalists • evolved into Democrats v. Republicans • Party Eras • When one party wins most elections because its coalition is bigger • Critical Election • An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge, beginning a new party era. • Party Realignment • The shifting of groups in a coalition, usually before a critical election. Groups leave one party and support the other party.

16. Party Eras inAmerican History • Republicans and Democrats have switched in dominance since 1800, referred to as re-alignment. 1932-1964: New Deal Coalition • Forged by Democrats- relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

17. Party Eras inAmerican History • 1968-Present: Era of Divided Party Government • One party holds the presidency while one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the other party. • Party de-alignment- disengagement of people from parties • Rise of independent voters

18. Third Parties: Impact on American Politics • Political parties other than Democrat or Republican • Rarely win elections • But, they bring new groups and people into politics • Charismatic Leader- Ross Perot • Ideological - Socialists, Independents • Single issue - Free Soilers, Greenpeace • Economic protests - Greenback Party • Splinter - Bull Moose

19. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics • Winner-take-all system: • First Past the Post/Single Member District • Legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers. • Proportional Representation: • Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by party- more votes, more seats • Coalition Government: • Two or more parties join to run government

20. Understanding Political Parties • Responsible Party Model: Parties should meet the following conditions: • Provide distinct, comprehensive programs for governing • Candidates must be committed to its program and have internal cohesion and discipline to carry out the program • Majority party must implement programs and minority party must explain what they would do differently if in power • Majority party must take responsibility for their performance in government

21. Understanding Political Parties • Is the Party over? • No longer 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