American Political Parties Our TwoParty System History and

American Political Parties Our Two-Party System History and Functions

Today’s Objectives � Identify the purpose of Political Parties � Explain the origins of the 2 -Party System in the US � Explain the organization of political parties � Identify the various types of 3 rd Parties � Explain realignment/dealig nment

Parties in the US � Definition ◦ Group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label by which they are known to the electorate. (AKA Party Identification) � Parties are present in 3 Arenas ◦ Label ◦ Organization(recruit, campaign) ◦ Leadership/Control of Government ◦ *** Parties have lost power in all three arenas

Decentralization of Party Power � Federalism decentralizes power. . how? � National parties used to be a coalition of local parties. � Now Parties organize at all levels � ****All politics are local**** � Candidates are chosen through primaries not by party leaders

Rise and Fall of Parties � Disliked by Washington/ � Needed by others to distinguish between policy disputes and challenges to a legitimate gov’t � EX Jefferson and Alien Sedition Acts � Jefferson vs. Hamilton/Adams � Caucuses of political nobles � Philosophical clubs/not mass associations � Early domination by Democratic/Republi cans

History of Parties � Parties were formed as coalitions for victory not homogeneous groups. Today? � 1820’s mass participation begins � 1832 – presidential electors are chosen by popular vote in most states � 1836 Democrats Hold first National Convention to Nominate their Presidential Candidate. � Civil War to Great Depression � Politics based on Sectionalism � Factions emerge (Progressives)

Progessive Era Reforms � Progressives worked to curb the power of political machines � Favored primaries � Voter registration requirements become strict � Civil Service Exam � Intro of referendums/initiativ es. � 17 th Amendment � Effects ◦ Eliminated the worst forms of political corruption ◦ Weakened Parties ◦ How? ◦ Office Holders Accountable to people not parties as much

Party Structure � Both parties are similar on paper � National Convention and Formal Power ◦ Meets every 4 years to nominate presidential candidates ◦ Composed of Delegates from states � Congressional Campaign Committees support the party’s candidates � National Party Chair manages day to day work of the Party � www. dnc. org � www. gop. org

Party Structure � RNC � More bureaucratic � Discipline � Well-financed party � Especially in Congressional Elections � Computer Fundraising / Data Bases � DNC � Factionalized � Redistribution of power � Mc. Govern Reforms ◦ Women ◦ Youth ◦ Minorities

National Conventions � National committee sets the time and place � # of delegates per states (GOP loyalty, Dems size) � GOP gives more delegate to the South and Southwest � Democrats give more delegates to the West and Northeast. � The Party in Power (executive branch) goes last. � Post Convention bump

Third Parties Any party other than the two major parties can be called a “Third party. ” � No third party has ever gained control of the White House. Sometimes, third parties win seats in Congress or gain office in lower levels of government. � When these smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections. � Their most important role is to influence policy on one or more issues. � Ralph Nader, Green Party Candidate, 2000

Ideological Third Parties � An ideology is a body of ideas put forth by a person or group. � Minor third parties are often formed to support a specific issue. These rise and fall over time. � Ideological parties want to change society in major ways. � The Socialist and Communist Parties want to nationalize major industries. The Green Party calls for companies to respect the environment.

Cult of Personality � Some third parties form from the efforts of famous people. � If they cannot gain support from one of the major parties, they form their own. � H. Ross Perot’s Reform Party was a force in the 1992 and 1996 elections. This party also placed pro wrestler Jesse Ventura in the governor’s mansion in Minnesota. � These parties usually fade after their candidate is defeated.

The Odds Are Against Them � It is difficult for third parties candidates to raise enough money to compete with the major parties. � Only one candidate can win in a given district. Usually the winner is either Democratic or Republican. � Third-party candidates must show they have support by getting voter signatures to even be placed on the ballot for national office.

Parties Move Towards The Center A platform is a statement that puts forth the party's positions on issues. Each individual issue is called a plank. � Both parties want votes. As a result, parties become more moderate in their platforms, moving away from extreme positions. � The American people generally agree about many issues. This unity forces the two parties toward the center of the political spectrum. �

Types of Parties or Political Followings � Ideological � Solidary groups � Sponsored Parties � Personal Following -name recognition ◦ Kennedys/Bushs

2 -Party System � Rare today � Why in America? � 1) Electoral System/winner take all and plurality system � 2) Moderate opinions � 3) Election Laws

Realignment � What is it? � When major shifts in the population SWITCH parties � Examples? � Jackson Era � Civil War (Sectionalism) � New Deal � Post Civil Rights Era

Dealignment � What � Why? is it? � Voters are moving away from both parties/call themselves Independent � Benefits of party membership?