Transcript Democrats versus Republicans

CHAPTER 13
Political Parties and Voting
Learning Objectives
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
13.6
13.7
13.8
13.9
13.10
13.11
13.12
13.13
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Explain the historical development of the modern Democratic and Republican Parties.
Define “critical elections” and party realignment and dealignment in the United States
and cite examples of their occurrence
Identify and explain the four broad functions of political parties.
Describe the historical and legal factors that contributed to the development of the twoparty system in the United States.
Assess the role that third parties have played in U.S. elections.
Illustrate how party organizations operate at the national, state, and local levels and how
they help their candidates win elections.
Analyze the decline in political parties over the past few decades and assess the future
prospects for the parties.
Assess the role of state governments in managing elections.
Evaluate the effect of constitutional amendments on the expansion of voting rights in the
United States.
Distinguish between the wide array of voter registration systems implemented in the 50
states.
Assess the influence of different factors in influencing voter turnout, including personal
demographics and the type of election contest.
Analyze the trends in U.S. voter turnout over time and how turnout in the United States
compares to that in other democracies.
Explain the many forms of political participation beyond voting.
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 Political Parties
 No mention in the Constitution
 New laws are enacted through the
3
debate and negotiation of party
leaders in government
 Individuals are recruited as political
candidates
 Set national agenda and define the
nature of public policy
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 National,state, and local levels, the
4
two major political parties set the
tone, control the agenda, and run
the government
 Provide the framework through
which citizens participate in
American politics
 Primary cue that voters use to
understand and participate in
politics
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 American Political Science
5
Association
 Responsible Party Governmentparties that offer clear programs
and policy positions to voters.
Voters choose and when victorious
in elections, the party works toward
achieving those program and
policies .
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 American Political Science
6
Association
 The next election cycle voters hold
the party accountable for what is
has accomplished
 In comparison to other parties in
democracies around the world,
American political parties are
organizationally weak.
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Europeans have clearly defined
7
constituencies base on social class,
regional , ethnic,or religious
divisions.
 American Political parties are often
ideologically vague, aligning with,
with broader constituencies and
gravitating toward more centrist
positions on issues
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Founders drafted the Constitutions
without political parties. They
envisioned a system that would be
run by independent – minded
people who served out of a sense
of civic virtue
 Remember, Madison looked at factions
(parties) as tools for corruption and bias
8
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Political parties: Organizations that seek
9
to win elections for the purpose of
influencing the outputs of government
 Interest groups want to influence the
output of government but they seldom to
never run candidates. Will work with the
current elected official if that official
agrees with their particular issues. Ex.
NRA has republican and democratic
elected officials they support
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Soon after the new US Constitution took
office in 1791, some of the architects of
the Constitution became strong
advocates of a particular parties.
 Competition between the political parties
has kept any one group or “faction” from
becoming too powerful for too long
 Competition against tyranny
10
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 First Parties in America
 British Tory Party (loyal to crown; loyalists)
vs. British Whig Party (advocates of new
independent American nation)
 Franklin a Tory sympathizer until early
1770
 US Constitution replaced the Articles of
Confederation significantly enhanced the
structure, power and importance of national
government
11
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
 Arguments between national and state
12
power
 Washington disliked parties and refused to
endorse the Federalist Party yet Hamilton
used that to recruit candidates for office
 Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
 Once again national/England vs.
state/France. Jefferson and Madison ( yes,
that same Madison against factions in
Federalist No. 10)
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
 Federalists more support from Northern
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states and the Democratic-Republicans
had greater support in southern and midAtlantic states.
 Never anticipating political parties, the
constitution allowed for the election of a
president and vice-president who stood
very far part on critical issues of the day
 Adams (71) president and Jefferson (68)
vice-president
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 Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
 By 1800's endorsed a slate of candidates
14
for president and vice-president.
Federalists had John Adams and Charles
Pinckney and Thomas Jefferson and Aaron
Burr (tie with 73 votes). Went to House of
Representatives and after debate ( 36th
ballot) choose Jefferson.
 12th amendment-formally separated the
electoral college vote for president and vice
president. Rather than cast two votes for
president, cast separate votes for president
and vice-president).
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 Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
 The Democratic-Repubican Party enjoyed
15
party dominance from 1800 to 1824 so
much that Federalists party became extinct
 Lack of competition for first two decades
led to fragmenting of the DemocraticRepublican party
 Democratic Republican Party (1824)
several candidates Jackson (99) John
Quincy Adams (84) and 74 scattered
among others. Once again in the House of
Representatives. Choose John Quincy!!
 Thanks to Clay. What a mess.
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
16
 A Second Party System Emerges
 Democrats vs. National Republicans
 1828 Jackson
 Westward expansion
 Voting reforms and increased suffrage
 1828 elections changed the nature of
parties. The precedent that a presidential
election would be influenced by the
masses and the era of congressional
delegations selecting presidential electors
was over
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
17
 A Second Party System Emerges
 Democrats vs. National Republicans
 1828 Jackson
 Parties quickly recognized the need to
organize in states and localities to
accommodate the new process of
selecting presidential electors
 National party conventions- to draw
together party delegates from across the
nation to choose the presidential and vice
presidential candidates
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 A Second Party System Emerges
 Democrats vs. National Republicans
 1828 Jackson (critical election)
 Party platform- a document outlining the
party's position on important policy issues
 The conventions coordinated the
activities of parties across the states.
 Democratic Party held its first national
party convention in 1832 ( nominating
“Old Hickory, Jackson, again)
18
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 A Second Party System Emerges
 Democrats vs. National Republicans
 1828 Jackson
 National Republicans nominated Clay
(lost to Jackson). National Republican
was replaced by the Whigs to compete
with the Democrats
 By 1840 the Democrats and the Whigs
dominated elections
19
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
20
 A Second Party System Emerges
 From 1836-1856 the Whigs and
Democrats shared the Presidency and
vast majority of seats in Congress
 Slavery and the Civil war brought the
demise of the Whig party (had the Free
soil and Know Nothing Party but not
enough to draw large numbers
 By late 1850's the Whigs and the
smaller parties were absorbed by the new
Republican party
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21
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© Bettmann/CORBIS
Election poster in
1828 for Andrew
Jackson’s
presidential
campaign. Jackson
is the founder of
today’s Democratic
Party.
The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 1856 John Fremont first Republican
candidate lost to Democrat James
Buchanan
 Critical elections-Critical realigning
22
elections: a lasting reconfiguration of how
certain groups of voters align with the
parties
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 First one 1828
 Second, 1860 Abraham Lincoln's election-
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precipitated the Civil War /11 Democratheavy states in the South seceded
 With Confederate states was readmitted to
the Union, you had the “solid South”
 Republicans northern and Midwestern
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 1896-Though not a clear shifting of voter
preferences from one party to another it
marked the rise of the Republican Party to
an near total consolidation of power and
voter support in northern and western
states. McKinley won in 1896
24
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 Only Democrat was Wilson(1914) only
because of Roosevelt's split with the
Republican party (Bull Moose)
 From 1870-1932, the two major parties
developed their organizations and shored
up voting coalitions
25
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 The Democrat- Republican system
permanently institutionalized in the
American system
 In 1932, fourth realignment shifting party
allegiance due to the Great Depression
26
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© Scherl/SV-Bilderdienst/The Image Works
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat,
campaigning for reelection in Hartford,
Connecticut, in 1936.
27
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 New Deal programs won urban working
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class and lower socioeconomic, new
immigrants, Catholics and Jews
 New Deal coalition with the solid
Democratic South resulted in Democrat
domination of American politics for 36
years(Truman after the war, Kennedy, and
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 Dealignment since the 1960s- a decline in
voter attachment to parties and in clarity of
party coalitions
 In late 60's (1968) Century long southern
hostilities toward the Republican party of
starts to diminish.
29
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 The Modern Party System in
America: Democrats versus
Republicans
 Some in the South are not liking the anti-
war, higher taxes, preferences for
affirmative action rather than merit based
policies/busing
 According to book, no clear critical election
appears to have occurred between 1969 to
2014 and few patterns in voter alignment.
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30
The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Between 1969 and 2014, the
31
Democrats controlled the White
House for just 17 years and
Republicans held the White House
for 28 years. Yet during those same
years, the democrats controlled
both chambers of Congress for 24
years and the Republicans10 years
with split majorities in House and
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 Might be an exception in that Reagan in
32
the 1980's had an alignment as well
(Reagan democrats) but didn't have the
transition of the House and for some years,
the Senate.
 (see electoral map)
 Some political scientists have argued that
the term dealignment best describes the
behavior of voters since the 1960's- the
the decline in voter attachment to both
parties.
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The Development of Political
Parties in the United States
 2008 election where Democrats win the
presidency and both House and Senate but
2010 many disaffected independents and
republicans who had voted for Democrats
gave Republican majority to the House and
only and Democrats margin of control to 6
seats. In 2012 wins the presidency, but still
divided government. In 2014, both the
House and Senate go to Republicans
33
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The Functions of Political Parties
 At the local, state, and national
34
levels, the political parties give
organizational coherence to both
the operations of popular elections
and the management of
government
 I. Contesting Elections (core)
 Fund raising, organizing events,
funding to candidates,
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The Functions of Political Parties
 volunteers, purchasing services
35
(polling, political advertisements,
campaign materials such as
bumper stickers, direct mail signs)
 Political parties are organized to
contest elections and offer
alternative proposals for making
public policy promotes the
responsiveness of elected officials
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The Functions of Political Parties
 By offering voters alternative
candidates more in line with public
opinion, parties provide an effective
mechanism for voters to remove
leaders from office through
elections
 Competitive elections (Between
Democrats and Republicans)
36
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The Functions of Political Parties
 Some elections include
independent of third-party
candidates
 Some elections a Democrat or a
Republicans candidate remains
unchallenged. (previous president
or an incumbent who is not
challenged by the other party)
37
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The Functions of Political Parties
 II. Recruiting and Nominating
38
Candidates
 Run for candidates under the party
label- a “weeding out process” that
results in higher quality candidates
 Some start at local level and work
their way up, others are recruited
for their name recognition/previous
accomplishments
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 Without knowing ideological or policy
perspectives one can be cued in by the
Party identification Ex. support an active
role in government or having a more
“hands off” approach, allowing for
correction through the free market
approach
39
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 Party identification- the psychological
40
attachment that an individual has to a
particular party (forms early and stable
but question) but question as to how
stable. People's circumstances,age,
events etc. change and can affect voting.
 Serves an important role in forming
attitudes on particular issues and making
vote decisions
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 Number of independents has grown over
41
the years, there are many more party
identifiers than independents and the
majority of Americans today identify with
a political party.
 The number of Democrats and
Republicans equal today
 Party identification resistant to change
 Important in role in making decisions
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 Also reflects an important influence on
the policy positions that individuals hold
Ex. Morally acceptable
 Party identification an important concept
for candidates and party leader in plotting
campaign strategies and contesting
elections. on testing elections
42
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 Normal vote-the percentage of voters
43
that can be expected with reasonable
certainty to cast a ballot for each of the
two major political parties
 The larger the margin of one party's
normal vote, the less competitive the race
 Also influenced by the number of
nonpartisan voters
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 Not only party identification a
psychological attachment to a particular
party but in some states the voter
registration process in many states
includes registering as a member of a
political party. Indeed, some states
necessary as a precondition to voting in
the primaries.
44
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The Functions of Political Parties
 III. Providing a Framework for
Voters to Make Vote Choices
 States with open primaries do not limit
45
the nomination process to voters of one
party
 In Texas, one can choose which primary
one wants to participate but if there is a
run-off, you have to stick with that party.
Cant' cross over (so combination open
and closed)
 Different states have different rules
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Party Identifiers Who Say They
Will Support the Party Line
46
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Percentage Viewing Matters as “Morally Acceptable,” by
Party ID (Democrat vs. Republican)
47
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reserved.
Party Identification: The Most Democratic
States and the Most Republican States
48
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The Functions of Political Parties
 Party control creates influence
 House/Senate; President over
the executive branch and
appointment of judges
 New Deal/FDR
49
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Bill Clark/Contributor/CQ-Roll Call Group/Getty Images
the Operations of
Government
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
 Providing Organization for
The Functions of Political Parties
 Divided government- First 150
50
years mostly one party
controlling both branches, the
last half century has been
dominated by divided
government. Harder to get
legislation through/gridlock.
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Bill Clark/Contributor/CQ-Roll Call Group/Getty Images
the Operations of
Government
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
 Providing Organization for
The Functions of Political Parties
 7 of the last 8 presidents have
51
experienced at least some from
of divided government. Clinton,
first two years Democrats and
the remaining Republicans.
Bush after 2002, had
Republicans but had to deal
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Bill Clark/Contributor/CQ-Roll Call Group/Getty Images
the Operations of
Government
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
 Providing Organization for
Why a Two-Party System?
 Two party system: A party system
52
dominated by two major parties that
win the vast majority of elections.
 Multiparty system: A political
system in which different parties are
organized on the basis of political
ideologies, economic interests,
religion, geography or positions on
a single issue or set of issues
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Why a Two-Party System?
 Reasons for the Two-Party System
in the United States
53
– Electoral college system-majority of
the electoral votes and not a plurality
(most)
– Blue collar union workers little chance
but better to support one of the two
parties
– Winner-take-all process
– Only the candidate with the most votes
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Why a Two-Party System?
 Reasons for the Two-Party System
in the United States
54
– No proportional representation: A
system of electing a national legislature
in which the percentage of the vote that
a party receives is reflected in the
number of seats that the party occupies
– Ex. Israel 1.5% of the vote nationally is
entitled to one seat in the 120 Knesset
– Hard for a third party to winner take all,
so promotes the two major parties
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Why a Two-Party System?
 Reasons for the Two-Party System
in the United States
55
– Ideological nature of public opinion
in America
– Most Americans are ideologically
centrist, or moderate, with few
considering themselves strong
ideologues
– Lack of strong ideological differences
helps explain why only two parties
dominate
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Why a Two-Party System?
 Reasons for the Two-Party System
in the United States
56
– Laws and regulations that govern
campaigns in United States which
tend to benefit the major parties at the
expense of third parties.
– To qualify for matching federal funds for
presidential campaigns candidates must
have minimum level of support in prior
and/or primary elections.
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Why a Two-Party System?
 Ex. If they receive 5% of the popular vote
and appear on the ballot in at least 10
states
 Money to finance a campaign is necessary
during rather than after, the campaign,
third parties are at a serious disadvantage.
 Third party on ballot must get petitions
supporting the candidate and pay
significant fees
57
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58
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Bloomberg/Getty Images
Harry E. Walker/MCT/Getty Images
Pictured are New Jersey Governor (R) Chris Christie (left) and former
Secretary of State (D) Hillary Clinton. Early on, both were considered
among the leading candidates to receive their respective parties’
presidential nominations in 2016.
Why a Two-Party System?
59
 Minor and Third Parties
 Fail to capture much of popular vote
 Not many in Congress
 Third parties face a number of obstacles:
A voter for third party “wasted vote”.
 Strong historical and cultural
institutionalization of the two party system
 Legal barriers (already discussed) and
media coverage of campaigns (focus on
two major parties)
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Why a Two-Party System?
 Minor and Third Parties
– Despite their limited success in winning
important government positions, they
often have substantial influence on
the outcome of elections. They can
siphon off enough votes from one of the
major parties in a hotly contested
presidential race
60
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Important Third-Party Candidacies in
Presidential Races
61
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Party Organizations
 Established by Andrew Jackson
 National Committee-oversees the
62
conduct of a party's presidential
campaign and develops strategy for
congressional elections
 National Committee Chair- the
head of the National committee for
one of the two major parties.
 Ex. Schultz/Priebus
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Party Organizations
 Used to provide a core advisory
 Now more involved in helping their
candidate raise money and
campaign for office. (Candidate's
own campaign staff: media
consultant pollster, campaign
manager, and other consultants
now take over)
63
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Party Organizations
 Less influential in determining who
64
the nominee will be (national level)
and more responsive to the
campaign staff
 Maintain greater influence in
assisting state and local party effort
to win election(polling,media,
campaign management and
financial resources)
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Party Organizations
 Voters pay less attention to campaigns
65
in state and local elections and therefore
depend more on partisan cues in their
choice of candidates
 State legislative and local election
campaigns have limited resources and
so more dependent on state and local
for financing and get out the vote, polling
services. More responsive and obligated
to party
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Party Organizations
 Local party organizations provide the
66
grassroots manpower for soliciting
mass participation in political activities
 Voter registration drives, political
fundraisers, rallies, and staffing phone
banks
 Identifying and recruiting talented
citizens to become candidate for elective
office. “farm team for potential
candidates” (higher positions the state
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Are Parties in Decline?
Decline in the organizational
linkages between office holders
and political parties
 Dealignment
 Increased Negativity
 Lack of Media Coverage
 Decline of Patronage
67
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Are Parties in Decline?
Decline in the organizational
linkages between office holders
and political parties
 Direct Primaries-an open election, rather than
68
an election by party leaders, to choose
candidates for the general election
 Maybe not declining: Party line voting in
Congress. Party with the most seats gets to
set agenda/President recognized leader of the
party
StillAll rights
provide
money and expertise
Copyright
© 2016label.
Cengage Learning.
reserved.
Voting
 The Legal Structure for Voting in the
69
United States
 Representative democracycitizens elect the individuals who
are responsible for making and
enforcing public policy
 Majoritarianism-most votes
 Franchise (or suffrage): the right
to vote
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Voting
 The Legal Structure for Voting in the
United States
70
– Article I, Section 4 -who is granted
suffrage to the states. Voting
registration,voter eligibility, methods of
casting ballots, and the tallying of official
results are all functions reserved for
states
– Next graph( Bush 30% and 40% (2004)
of Hispanic vote) and Gregg Abbot (40%
of Hispanic vote) 2012 71% to 21%
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71
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Voting
 Toward Universal Suffrage-all
citizens have a right to vote
 Fifteenth Amendment – guarantee the
franchise (right to vote) regardless of
race, color, or any previous condition of
servitude
 19th amendment (women)
 24th amendment (Elimination of Poll tax
(fee to vote at federal level)
72
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Voting
 Toward Universal Suffrage-all
citizens have a right to vote
 Literacy tests(eliminated by Voting Rights
Act of 1965 as well as intimidating tactics)
 23rd amendment- (1961) providing
electoral votes to the District of Columbia
 26th amendment- (1971) lowered the
voting age to18 in all local, state, and
federal elections
73
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Voting
 Voter Registration Laws
 Motor Voter law- When an individual
applies for or renews a state driver's
license, the state must also provide that
individual with voter registration materials
74
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Exercising the Franchise
 Who Turns Out to Vote?
 Voter turnout: the number of people
who turn our to vote as a
percentage of all those eligible to
vote
 Voter turnout
 Older
 Educated
 Wealthier
75
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Current Population Survey, U.S. Bureau of the Census 2012
Differences in Voter Turnout Among Demographic
Groups in the 2012 Presidential Election
76
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Exercising the Franchise
 How Do They Vote? Methods of
Casting a Ballot
 Paper ballots
 Lever voting machine
 Punch cards
77
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reserved.
Exercising the Franchise
 How Do They Vote? Methods of
Casting a Ballot
 Optical scan ballots
 Electronic voting
78
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79
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AP Images/Don Wright
Dwayne Newton/PhotoEdit
The voting technologies that have become more
popular recently are optical scanning technology (left)
and the touch-screen computer ballot (right).
Exercising the Franchise
80
 Why Don’t More People Vote?
 Rational choice theory-costs of
obtaining and understanding outweigh
benefits of making a choice. Not vote
or short cut on cues
 Importance of elections
 Greater levels of media coverage,
higher significance of office, high
importance to the issue,more attractive
candidate, and perception of a close
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Exercising the Franchise
81
 Why Don’t More People Vote?
– Presidential elections tend to
produce the highest levels of
turnout (media, monies on political
advertisements, campaign more
visible to voters, and most significant
office in the US political system
– Midterms (even years) and not
presidential, next level for turnout
– Local elections the least (off years)
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Exercising the Franchise
 Why Don’t More People Vote?
– Prior to 2004, turnout hovered around
50% for eight presidential elections.
– 1996- 49.1%
– 2004-60%
– 2008 61%
– 2012-58%
82
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Voter Turnout in U.S. Congressional
and Presidential Elections
83
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Exercising the Franchise
 Voting in the United States
Compared with Other Democracies
84
 Many elections
 Workday elections
 Advance registration- Concern about
fraud.
 Declining political efficacy
-Internal efficacy- voters can make a
difference in what government does
Copyright
© 2016 Cengage Learning.
All rights reserved.
-External
efficacy-government
responsive
Exercising the Franchise
 Voting in the United States
Compared with Other Democracies
85
 Expansion and short-term decline turnout rate dropped after the 15th, 19th
and 26th amendment
 Not compulsory
 Decline in social capital- The “social
connectedness” of a community, or the
extent to which individuals are socially
integrated into their community
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(residential moving, TV/internet, increase
Exercising the Franchise
 Is Nonvoting a Problem?
 Symptom of weak democracy
 Benefits the affluent
Discussion: Why do you think that President Obama so
handily won the youth vote in 2008 and then again in 2012?
86
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Participation Beyond Voting
 Legal Protests- peaceably to
87
assemble and to petition the
government for a redress of
grievances. (Vietnam, women's
right to vote) Tea Party
 Civil Disobedience(illegal but nonviolent. Black protesters)
 Violent Protests(1992 LA riots and
more recent ones with Freddy Gray.
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Participation Beyond Voting
 Legal Protests
 Civil Disobedience
 Violent Protest
88
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2008 national survey of 2,500 American adults, conducted by Intercollegiate
Studies Institute (ISI).
The Ways in Which Americans
Participate in Politics
89
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The Tea Party:
Background Report
Click picture to view video
90
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Video Discussion Questions
1. Is the “Tea Party” a political party or a
political movement? Why?
2. What unites Tea Party members from
across the country? What qualities do
they have in common?
3. Overall, has the Tea Party helped or
hurt the Republican Party?
91
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