Understanding the US Political Party System

1. UNIT 3 U. S. Political System Chapter 8 – Political Parties

2. Linkage Institutions • A structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. 1. Elections 2. Political Parties 3. Interest Groups 4. Media

3. The Meaning of Party • Political Party: A “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.” (Anthony Downs) • Parties can be thought of in three-headed political giant: 1. Party in the electorate (largest component) 2. Party as an organization 3. Party in government.

4. The Meaning of Party • Roles of the Parties • Linkage Institution: The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s political /policy agenda (list of subjects or problems to which people inside and outside government are paying serious attention to at any given time). Parties Pick Candidates • Parties Run Campaigns • Parties Give Cues to Voters • Parties Articulate Policies • Parties Coordinate Policymaking

5. The Meaning of Party • Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model • Rational-choice theory: Assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, weighing the costs & benefits. Figure 8.1

6. Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other. Ticket-splitting: Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices. Ticket-splitting has become the norm in American voting behavior. The Party in the Electorate

7. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington • These are the people that work for the party. • Local Parties • Party Machines: A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern. • Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines. • Now urban party organizations are generally weak.

8. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington • The 50 State Party Systems • Closed primaries: voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party • Open primaries: voters decide on election day which party to participate in, and then only that party • Blanket primaries: voters get a list of all candidates and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label • State party organizations are on an upswing in terms of headquarters and budgets.

9. The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington • The National Party Organizations • National Convention: (Supreme Power)The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party’s platform. • National Committee: One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. • National Chairperson: Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party.

10. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy • These are the party members actually elected to government. • Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help. • Coalition: • A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends. • Parties & politicians generally do what they say they will do.

11. Party Eras inAmerican History • Party Eras (pp. 247-253) • Historical periods in which one party has been the dominant majority party. • Critical Election • An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge. • Party Realignment • The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election.

12. Party Eras inAmerican History • 1796-1824: The First Party System • Madison warned of “factions” • First party were the Federalists • 1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs • Modern party founded by Jackson • Whigs formed mainly in opposition to Democrats

13. Party Eras inAmerican History • 1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras • Republicans rose as the antislavery party • 1896 election revolved around the gold standard • 1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition • Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

14. Party Eras in American History • 1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government • Party dealignment - disengagement of people from parties • Party neutrality - people are indifferent towards the two parties

15. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics • Political parties other than Democrat or Republican • Rarely win elections • Third parties bring new groups and ideas into politics • “Splinter groups”- offshoot of a major party • Two-party system discourages extreme views; try to stay moderate

16. Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics • Winner-take-all system: • Legislative seats awarded only to first place finishers. • Proportional Representation: • Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party - more votes, more seats • Coalition Government: • Two or more parties join to run government

17. Individualism and Gridlock Gridlock in policymaking is a consequence of allowing individualism. This occurs when different parties control the executive and legislative branches. No single party in the U.S. has firm control in government.

18. Understanding Political Parties • Democracy and Responsible Party Government 1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs. 2. Candidates are committed to the program. 3. Majority party must carry out its program. 4. Majority party must accept responsibility.

19. Understanding Political Parties • American Political Parties and the Scope of Government • Lack of uniformity keeps government small • But, it also makes cutting government programs harder to do

20. Understanding Political Parties • Is the Party Over? • Political parties are no longer the chief source of information for voters (i.e. media & interest groups) • State and national party organizations are getting stronger • Majority of people still identify with a party, but still split their tickets • Parties will continue to be around