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Political Parties

8. Political Parties. Video: The Big Picture. 8. http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch08_Political_Parties_Seg1_v2.html. 8. Learning Objectives. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy. 8.1.

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Political Parties

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  1. 8 Political Parties

  2. Video: The Big Picture 8 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch08_Political_Parties_Seg1_v2.html

  3. 8 Learning Objectives Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1 Determine the significance of party identification in America today 8.2

  4. 8 Learning Objectives Describe how political parties are organized in the United States 8.3 Evaluate how well political parties generally do in carrying out their promises 8.4

  5. 8 Learning Objectives Differentiate the various party eras in American history 8.5 Assess both the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations 8.6

  6. 8 Learning Objectives Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government 8.7

  7. Video: The Basics 8 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_PoliticalParties_v2.html

  8. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy What Is a Party? • Apolitical partyis a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office.

  9. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy What Is a Party? • Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented. • Principle oriented Libertarians vs. Tea Party • Libertarian – Complete non-aggression • Tea Party – Limited govt in the economic sphere but not the social – aggression?

  10. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy What Is a Party? • Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented. • Issue Oriented

  11. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy What Is a Party? • Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented. The two major parties are election-oriented.

  12. Roles of Party • Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1 • Tasks of the Parties • Parties, Voters, and Policy: Downs Model

  13. Meaning of Party • Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1 Parties as “Instruments of Democracy?” • The “responsible parties “ model • Organize majorities around broad principles…To what end? • Win public office and translate those principles into public policy • Why does this model NOT accurately describe the Two Party American party system? • Incentives push the parties to the center…away from ideological bases. • Parties are perceived as ideological, however in practice?...

  14. * Nominate Candidates - 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. Govern- Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party. Partisan Voting Act as a Watchdog- Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election. • Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy What Do Parties Do?

  15. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy Why a Two-Party System? • 1. The Historical Basis. • 2. The Force of Tradition. • 3. The Electoral System • 4. Ideological Consensus

  16. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy Why a Two-Party System?Tradition! • 1. The Historical Basis. The nation started out with two-parties: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. • 2. 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. • What is the number 1 factor in an individuals party identification?

  17. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy Why a Two-Party System? • 3. The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts, are designed to favor two major parties. Winner take all (a.k.a., first past the post)

  18. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy Why a Two-Party System? • 4. Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters(and a general traditional division – federalists v. anti-federalists…again) Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist in the United States. • Where did you fall on the political spectrum…? • Probably where the majority of Americans fall.

  19. Factors that can influence party membership: Age, Income, Race, Gender Roper Poll • Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy Party Membership Patterns

  20. Tasks of the Parties Linkage institutions Parties, elections, interest groups, media Tasks that parties perform Pick candidates Run campaigns Give cues to voters Articulate policies Coordinate policies • Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1

  21. Parties, Voters, and Policy: Downs Model Rational choice theory Political scientist Anthony Downs’ model Most voters are moderate Center of political spectrum Parties seek voter loyalty Position themselves to left and right of center • Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1

  22. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1 FIGURE 8.1: Downs model: How rational parties position themselves near (but not at) the center of public opinion

  23. Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy 8.1 Tea Party

  24. 8.1 8.1 How do parties maximize their appeal to voters? • Position themselves near political center • Lie about their opponents • Stake out clear positions to the left or right • Make party members sign loyalty oaths

  25. 8.1 8.1 How do parties maximize their appeal to voters? • Position themselves near political center • Lie about their opponents • Stake out clear positions to the left or right • Make party members sign loyalty oaths

  26. Party in the Electorate 8.2 • Party membership is psychological • Citizens think they know what parties stand for • Choose parties based on affinity with personal preferences • More Americans identify as independents

  27. 8.2 FIGURE 8.2: Party identification in the United States, 1952–2012

  28. 8.2 8.2 More Americans are identifying as Independents, especially: • People over 65 • Minorities • Young people • Less-educated citizens

  29. 8.2 8.2 More Americans are identifying as Independents, especially: • People over 65 • Minorities • Young people • Less-educated citizens

  30. Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist 8.2 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_PoliticalParties_v2.html

  31. Party Organization: From the Grass Roots to Washington 8.3 • Local Parties • 50 State Party Systems • National Party Organizations

  32. Local Parties Once main party organization Party machines Rewarded voters New York and Chicago Patronage Jobs for voters and contributors Progressive reforms ended this system 8.3

  33. 8.3 Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley

  34. No two exactly alike Some well-funded, some weak Permanent headquarters Provide technical services Open or closed primaries Straight-ticket voting Single column or random list of candidates 8.3 50 State Party Systems

  35. National Party Organizations National convention Meets every four years Writes party platform Formal nomination of candidates National committee Operates between conventions Led by national chairperson 8.3

  36. 8.3 8.3 What are the functions of the party’s national convention? • Write party platform • Nominate candidate for president • Meet every four years to revise rules • All of the above

  37. 8.3 8.3 What are the functions of the party’s national convention? • Write party platform • Nominate candidate for president • Meet every four years to revise rules • All of the above

  38. Party in Government: Promises and Policy 8.4 • Party in power determines policy • Coalitions support parties • Most presidents fail to implement campaign promises • But they do live up to some of them • Party platforms are blueprints

  39. Explore the Simulation: You Are a Voter 8.4 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=17

  40. 8.4 8.4 Which of the following is a campaign promise kept by President Reagan? • Increase social welfare spending • Increase defense spending • Increase the federal deficit • Increase funding for education

  41. 8.4 8.4 Which of the following is a campaign promise kept by President Reagan? • Increase social welfare spending • Increase defense spending • Increase the federal deficit • Increase funding for education

  42. Explore Political Parties: Which Party Governs Better? 8.4 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_edwards_mpslgia_16/pex/pex8.html

  43. Party Eras in American History 8.5 • 1796-1824: First Party System • 1828-1856: Jackson and Democrats Versus the Whigs • 1860-1928: Two Republican Eras • 1932-1964: New Deal Coalition • 1968-Present: Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party Government

  44. 8.5 Party platforms, 2012

  45. 1796-1824: First Party System Madison warned against factions Hamilton and the Federalist Party Capitalist support, Northeast Short-lived Ideas of loyal opposition and rotation of power new Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans Agrarian support, South Torn by factions 8.5

  46. 1828-1856: Jackson and Democrats Versus the Whigs General Andrew Jackson as leader Democratic-Republicans -> Democratic Party New coalition in election of 1828 Westerners, Southerners, poor whites Broaden suffrage Martin Van Buren Theory of loyal opposition Whig Party 8.5

  47. 1860-1928: Two Republican Eras 1850s: Slavery dominated politics Split both parties Republicans rose as anti-slavery party Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War Second party realignment Lasted 60 years Democrats controlled the South 1896: Second Republican era Democrats and “free silver” 8.5

  48. 1932-1964: New Deal Coalition Hoover loses to FDR FDR promises New Deal New coalition formed Elements of New Deal coalition Urban dwellers Labor unions Catholics and Jews The poor Southerners African Americans 8.5

  49. The Roosevelt realignment 8.5

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