Transcript political parties

POLITICAL PARTIES
Political party
–A group of individuals who join
together to seek government office
in order to make public policy
Fundamental Goal
To win elections
Why?
To control government
The United States has a twoparty system
Near exclusion of minor parties from
seriously competing for a share of political
power
TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
RARE IN THE WORLD
U.S. SYSTEM - WHY?
Historical
The force of Tradition
Basic consensus on fundamental
matters
Electoral system –plurality & Winnertake-all
In a diverse society such as the United
States:
– The two-party system must offer issue
positions that appeal to broad segments of
the voters.
– Since 1960, the parties have grown further
apart philosophically.
– The national Democrats generally take the
liberal position on issues.
– The Republicans usually expresses
conservative views.
Party Polarization
Two-Party System in
American History
Three Eras of single-party domination
Era of Democrats 1800-1860
Era of Republicans 1860-1932
Era of Democrats 1932-1968
Era of Divided Gov’t
Figure 7.3: Cleavages and Continuity in the
Two-Party System (cont’d)
DO THE PARTIES DIFFER?
Democrats – Women, Union workers,
teachers, urban, African-American &
other minorities, Catholic & Jews
Republicans- white males, business
community, rural, Protestants
Democrat and Republican national platforms show
clear differences on issues:
– Abortion
– Environment
– Tax and Spend Issues
– Social Welfare
– Gun Control
What factors tend to influence
ones choice in political
parties?
What factors tend to influence ones choice in
political parties?
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Income
Race and Ethnicity
Education
Gender
Age
Family/Lifestyle Status
Religion
Region
Critical Elections
Sharp and lasting shift in coalitions
Major defeat of a party, and a new one
taking its place
New issue
Map 7.1: The Election of 1828
Map 7.2: The Election of 1860
Map 7.3: The Election of
1896
Map 7.4: The Election of
1932
1. How do U.S. political parties
differ from European parties?
European voters are more loyal
Federal system decentralizes power
Candidates are not chosen by party
leaders
Also
– Unimportant in life – Americans do not join or
pay dues
2. The first political parties
Founders disliked parties ( factions)
Federalist #10 - Madison
Democratic- Republicans & Federalists
– Begin with differing views of the constitution
and political notables
3. Discuss the reason for party decline
Party loyalty has declined
Split-ticket voting*
Increase in Independents
No longer sources of political
information
Figure 7.1: Decline in Party Identification,
1952-2000:
Source: National Election Studies, The
NES Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral
Behavior, 1952-2000, table 20.1.
Roles of Minor Parties
Critics
“Spoilers”
Ideas are often borrowed by
major parties
Types of Minor Parties
1. Ideological parties – comprehensive
view of social, economic, and political
matters. Ex. – Libertarian & Socialist party
2. Single-issue party – concentrate on
one public-policy issue. Ex. – Right to Life
Party
3. Economic protest – Economic
discontent Ex. – Populist
4. Splinter parties – a party that has split
away from one of the major parties. Ex. –
“Bull Moose” and American Independent
Table 7.2:
The Rise of Republican Politics in the
South, 1956-2002
Table 7.3: Party Voting in Presidential
Elections
Table 7.4:
The Public
Rates the
Two Parties
Table 7.5: How Party Delegates and Party Voters
Differ in Liberal Ideology
Table 7.6: Political Opinions of Delegates and
Voters
Journal
Does a difference exist between the
Democratic and Republican parties?
Consider how the voters and candidates
differ on the issues.