How do political parties influence the American political experience?

LESSON 4Political Parties

What is a political party?

POLITICAL PARTYA group of persons who seek to control government

through the winning of elections and the holding of public office

Political parties represent various roles within society

• Represents a link between the people and their government

• Communicates the general will to a government

• Makes office-holders accountable

What party systems exist throughout the world?ONE-PARTY

SYSTEM• One party

assumes control of government and doesn’t allow competition

• Party leaders assume leadership role in nation

• Elections may be held, but are not competitive

EX: China, Cuba

TWO-PARTY SYSTEM

• Occurs in only about 15 countries

• Two parties have reasonable chances of election

• Balance of power changes over time

EX: United States

MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM

• Far more common• Found in countries

with strong parliamentary tradition

• Legislature assumes leadership role in government no separation of powers

• Encourages formation of coalitions between minor parties

EX: England, Germany, Italy

What functions do political parties serve?

I. FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

A. Recruit candidates and support campaigns

Choose qualified people of high character

Nominate candidates (endorsement)

Hold primaries to narrow down field

What functions do political parties serve?

B. Organize elections and inform and activate supporters

Promote voter interest and participation

Register voters and monitor polls on election day

Inspire voters to get involved

What functions do political parties serve?

C. Run the government: Coordinate policymaking along party lines connect branches of the government together to work toward same goals

D. Balance competing interests: Unify smaller groups in support of one platform

What functions do political parties serve?

E. Act as “watchdog” for the public

Inform the public on issues and opposing views

Serve as loyal opposition to the party in power can lead to attacking the party in power

F. Running campaigns: Assume great costs to ensure a solid chance at victory

Fundraising Advertising Generating a “message” beliefs

and goals

Why belong to a party?

II. PARTY MEMBERSHIP

A. Why join?1. Agreement

with party values and beliefs

2. Support for all or some of its candidates

Why belong to a party?

3. Mandatory participation in an approved party (ex: Communist Party)

4. Solidarity (unity) shared with others for a cause

Why belong to a party?

5. Excitement of politics

6. Cost-benefit analysis joining a political party may lead to professional benefit

Why belong to a party?

B. Characteristics of party members

1. Party identifiers: People who agree with beliefs but are not active in politics

Why belong to a party?

2. Active party members

a. Work for the party volunteer work

b. Run campaigns

c. Fundraisingd. May become

candidates themselves

So where do your political views fit in?

RADICAL

LIBERAL

MODERATE

CONSERVATIV

E REACTIONAR

Y

Support rapid changes in government

Will use violence to achieve goals

Wants gradual change in society

Prefers slow change with some things, and for others to stay the same

Wants no change

Likes things the way they are

Wants to go back to the “way things used to be”

May use violence to achieve goals

THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM

The political ideology gridCONSERVATIVE

Increased government control of social issuesLess government

intervention in economic issues

CONSERVATIVE

Increased government control of social issuesLess government

intervention in economic issues

TOTALITARIAN

Complete government control of both

economic and social issues

TOTALITARIAN

Complete government control of both

economic and social issues

LIBERTARIAN

Minimal government control of both

economic and social issues

LIBERTARIAN

Minimal government control of both

economic and social issues

LIBERALMinimal government control of social issues

Increased government regulation of

economic issues

LIBERALMinimal government control of social issues

Increased government regulation of

economic issues

Socia

l/Politica

l Issues

GOVT CONTROL

FREEDOM

Economic Issues

GOVT CONTROL

How did party politics develop in American history?

III. HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES

A. 1789-1796: ERA OF CAUTION

• WASHINGTON: Disapproved of factions and development of political parties

B. 1796-1828: THE FIRST PARTY SYSTEM

1. Origin lies in Federalist-Republican debate over Constitution

• FEDERALISTS Alexander Hamilton

• DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS Thomas Jefferson

How did party politics develop in American history?

C. 1828-1860: THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC ERA

1. Election of 1828 (Andrew Jackson) marked founding of modern political party Democrats

2. Key reforms marked era• Broadening of voting rights• Establishment of nominating

convention3. WHIGS: New competition for

Democrats that eventually split over sectional issues

D. 1860-1932: THE REPUBLICAN ERA

1. 1850s: Republicans emerge as anti-slavery party

2. Party bosses increased their power

How did party politics develop in American history?

E. 1932-1968: THE SECOND DEMOCRATIC ERA

1. Dominated by Democrats after Great Depression ended Republican dominance

2. NEW DEAL COALITION: Increased influence of labor, working classes, and minorities

3. Control extended to state and local politics

How did party politics develop in American history?

F. 1968-Present: THE ERA OF DIVIDED GOVERNMENT

1. Two-party system at its finest due to two significant issues

• Civil Rights movement• Vietnam War

2. Era without major realigning election giving total control of government to one party split-ticket voting

3. Voting on federal level reflects more conservative nature of U.S. Carter, Clinton & Obama only Democratic presidents since 1968

How have we made room for third parties in America?IV. THE THIRD PARTY:

Working Against All Odds

A. Types of minor parties ECONOMIC PROTEST

PARTIES (Populists) SPLINTER PARTIES

(PERSONALITY PARTIES) (Progressives, Dixiecrats): Offshoots of major parties led by significant figures

James B. Weaver – Populist leader

Strom Thurmond – Dixiecrats (1948)

Teddy Roosevelt – “Bull Moose” (Progressives, 1912)

How have we made room for third parties in America?

IDEOLOGICAL PARTIES (Communists, Libertarians): Profess broad political beliefs and values radically different from mainstream no chance of winning

SINGLE-ISSUE PARTIES (Free-Soil Party, Prohibition Party): Main goal is to influence one major social, economic, or moral issue too narrowly-focused to survive

Libertarian Party ad (2000)

Prohibition Party (1932)

How have we made room for third parties in America?

B. Influence of minor parties

1. Influencing the outcome of elections: Usually through splitting votes

• TR & BULL MOOSE

• ROSS PEROT & REFORM PARTY

• RALPH NADER & GREEN PARTY

• Bernie Sanders!!! You should look him up.

Jesse Ventura – Reform Party Governor in Minnesota (1999-2003)

How have we made room for third parties in America?

2. Encouraging major parties to face important issues

• MINIMUM WAGE• WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE• OLD-AGE PENSIONS (Social Security)• ANTI-SLAVERY

3. Acting as voice of frustrated and alienated voters

How have we made room for third parties in America?

C. Why do third parties fail?1. Lack of money2. Public traditionally sides with Democrats

and Republicans3. Trouble getting onto ballot4. Fall victim to their own success major

party picks up issues