Political Parties – Comparisons, Eras, and Strength

Chapter 7: WilsonAP Government and Politics

“I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people don't talk politics.” Oscar Wilde

Homework: Read Wilson (162-271) and take notesWoll, “Divided We Govern” (192-199)

Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right.

- HL Mencken

Political Parties What is a political party?

Group primarily focused on nominating and electing candidates, and controlling government

3 “arenas” in which parties operate On the ballot – label▪ Are they today, weaker or stronger?

In nominating and electing candidates – organization▪ Are they today, weaker or stronger?

In making policies - governing ▪ Are they today, weaker or stronger?

What reforms to the ballot and voting habits have made US parties a great deal weaker in the US?

Comparing US and European Parties

European parties typically are considered “stronger” than US parties in the three areas in which parties operate…

How are European parties stronger… As a label? In nominating and electing candidates? In governing?

Reasons for these differences? Federalism – division and balance of power Rules/methods whereby candidates are selected Presidential vs. Parliamentary system

Parties and Political Culture

The political culture of Americans also tends to make our parties weaker than their European counterparts… “segmental” vs. “comprehensive” role in our lives.

Why is this the case?

The Four Party Periods The Founding

Founding to 1820s Critical election = 1800

The Jacksonian Period 1820s to Civil War Critical election = 1828

The Civil War and Aftermath Civil War to 1930s Critical election = 1860

The Era of Reform 1930s to ??? Critical election = 1932

The Founding – 1800 - 1828

The Founding What were the two

earliest parties based on?

How did the election of 1800 essentially signal the beginning of the end of this period?

How did the parties represent heterogeneous economic and regional interests?

The Jacksonian Period – 1828 - 1860

The Jacksonian Period How was this a

“democratization of democracy?”▪ Voting, nominating

candidates, electors

What 2 parties emerged after the election of 1828

The Post-Civil War Period 1860 - 1932

The Civil War and Aftermath How did slavery affect the election of 1860?▪ Democrats, Whigs (Constitutional Union), Republicans

What was the result of the election?

What divisions emerged after the 1860s and characterized the nation until 1896 and beyond?

The Era of Reform – 1932 - ???

The 1896 Election – Bryan and Democrats lose; new Republican party solidifies Shores up the parties in certain regions of the US

Why were there internal divisions of parties after the 1896 election?▪ Old Guard vs. Mugwumps – what reforms were attempted?

The election of 1932 What triggered this “realigning election”?

How did FDR and the Democrats overcome their isolation as a “regional” party (midwest, south)?

Who comprised the New Deal coalition?

Critical or Realigning Elections

What is a “critical” or “realigning” election? sharp changes in issues, party leaders, the regional and demographic bases of

power of the two parties, and structure or rules of the political system (such as voter eligibility or financing), resulting in a new political power structure that lasts for decades.

The 1800 Election – ▪ Begins the initial “fading” period of parties –Dem/Republicans victorious

The 1828 Election – ▪ Begins the Jacksonian period

The 1860 Election – ▪ Republican party emerges; Whigs disappear

The 1896 Election – ▪ Bryan and Democrats lose; new Republicans solidify▪ Shores up the parties in certain regions of the US

The 1932 Election – ▪ Emergence of the “New Deal Coalition”▪ Labor unions, intellectuals, farmers, seniors, white southerners, Jews, Catholics, and

minorities . The 1968 Election -

▪ Fracturing of the New Deal Democratic Coalition

The 2012 Election

Will it be a critical, or realigning election? What would have to happen?

Can you envision a scenario in which this happens?