Chapter 12 Political Parties American Government Continuity and

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Chapter 12 Political Parties American Government: Continuity and Change 9 th Edition to accompany

Chapter 12 Political Parties American Government: Continuity and Change 9 th Edition to accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions O’Connor and Sabato Pearson Education, Inc. © 2008

What Is A Political Party? o An organized effort by office holders, candidates, activists,

What Is A Political Party? o An organized effort by office holders, candidates, activists, and voters who to pursue their common interests by gaining and exercising power through the political process o Consist of three separate but related entities: n Governmental party n Organizational party n Party in the electorate

Evolution of American Party Democracy o Federalists and Anti-Federalists o Hamilton and Jefferson n

Evolution of American Party Democracy o Federalists and Anti-Federalists o Hamilton and Jefferson n Jefferson’s group (later the Republicans) preferred a federal system with more powerful states. n Hamilton’s group preferred strong central government. o No broad-based party organizations existed on either side to mobilize popular support. o Congressional factions primarily governmental party factions

The Early Parties Fade o Federalists faded o James Monroe’s presidency n Era of

The Early Parties Fade o Federalists faded o James Monroe’s presidency n Era of Good Feelings n 1817 -1825 n Party politics suspended at national level o Expansion of democracy n States moved to choose electors through popular elections n Party membership broadened n National conventions n Emergence of Jacksonian Democrats and opposition party of the Whigs (related to Federalists) o Their competition fierce and close

The Early Parties Fade o Slavery split the Whig support across sectional lines. o

The Early Parties Fade o Slavery split the Whig support across sectional lines. o Replaced by the Republican Party n n John C. Fremont lost in 1856 Lincoln won in 1860; fragmented vote South went solidly for Democrats North went for Republicans o Not a single southern state voted for a Republican president until 1920.

Democrats and Republicans: The Golden Age o From 1860 to present, the same two

Democrats and Republicans: The Golden Age o From 1860 to present, the same two major parties have dominated elections in the U. S. o Golden Age of political parties n n n Party stability Dominance of party organizations Impact on daily lives of millions of voters Era spanned 1874 -1912 Party machines

The Modern Era o Social, political, technological, and governmental changes have contributed to party

The Modern Era o Social, political, technological, and governmental changes have contributed to party decline since the 1920 s n Government assumed functions of party o Printing ballots, conducting elections, providing social welfare services o 1930 s social services seen as right not privilege extended in exchange for support o Flow of immigrants slowed dramatically

Political and Social Changes o Direct primary o Civil service laws o Issue-oriented politics

Political and Social Changes o Direct primary o Civil service laws o Issue-oriented politics n Post-WWII era: rise in education associated with rise to focus on politics in context of specific issues o Civil rights, tax-cutting, environmentalism rather than party labels o Issue politics leads to more ticket-splitting o Candidate-centered politics n Television: emphasizes personalities rather than abstracts like party label o �Urban to suburban population shift

Realignment o Party Realignment n A shifting of party coalition groupings in the electorate

Realignment o Party Realignment n A shifting of party coalition groupings in the electorate that remains in place for several elections n Critical election o An election that signals a party realignment through voter polarization around new issues n Secular Realignment o The gradual rearrangement of party coalitions, based more on demographic shifts than on shocks to the political system

The Functions of American Parties o Mobilizing support and gathering power n Coalition: a

The Functions of American Parties o Mobilizing support and gathering power n Coalition: a group made up of interests or organizations that join forces for the purpose of electing public officials o o o Force for stability and moderation Unity, linkage, and accountability Electioneering function Party as a voting and issue cue Policy formation and promotion n National party platform

Crashing the Party: Minor Parties o Proportional representation n A voting system that apportions

Crashing the Party: Minor Parties o Proportional representation n A voting system that apportions legislative seats according to the percentage of the vote won by a particular political party o Single-Member, Plurality system or Winnertake-all system n An electoral system in which the party receives at least one more vote than any other party wins the election o Minor parties have had an important impact at times.

The Party Organization o National Committees n DNC and RNC n o Focus on

The Party Organization o National Committees n DNC and RNC n o Focus on aiding presidential campaigns and conducting general party-building activities Leadership: chairperson of the national committee n n Prime spokesperson for party between elections National Conventions o A party conclave held in the presidential election year for the purposes of nominating a presidential and vice presidential ticket and adopting a platform o States and Localities n State central committees n Precinct, ward, cities, counties, towns, villages and congressional districts o Informal Groups

The Transformation of the Party Organization o Both major parties have adapted to new

The Transformation of the Party Organization o Both major parties have adapted to new challenges: addition of new technology and communication strategies o Both have similar objectives o But they are different as well. n Republicans more organized, stronger fundraising machine n Democrats trying to catch up n Role of direct mail; internet, activists

The Party in Government o Congressional Party n Parties select party leaders and make

The Party in Government o Congressional Party n Parties select party leaders and make committee appointments n Organize and operate Congress n Web of deputy and assistant whips n Majority party generally holds more power n Party discipline o Hurt by individualistic nature of U. S. politics o But party voting has increased since the 1970 s

The Presidential Party of the president n Captures the public imagination n Shapes the

The Presidential Party of the president n Captures the public imagination n Shapes the electorate’s opinion of the two parties n Perceptions of the incumbent president and the president determine how citizens perceive the parties. n Some presidents more party-oriented o Modern tendency (since FDR) have been less supportive of their respective political parties o Eisenhower “non-partisan” president — hurt his party

Parties and the Judiciary o Viewed as “above-politics” and nonpartisan o Judges are products

Parties and the Judiciary o Viewed as “above-politics” and nonpartisan o Judges are products of their party identification. o Presidents choose judicial candidates from the ranks of their party. n Many have had long careers as loyal party workers or legislators.

The Parties and State Governments o o The major national parties are the dominant

The Parties and State Governments o o The major national parties are the dominant political forces in all 50 states. n Third parties have emerged but all have faded. n Usually have more influence on party organizations and legislators More patronage positions Line-item veto Parties and Governors n n o Parties and State Legislators n n Nearly split evenly between the two parties Parties have greater legislative influence at the state level than at the national level. Party leaders have more authority and power. State legislators depend on state and local parties for election assistance more than members of Congress.

Party in the Electorate o Party Identification: n A citizen’s personal affinity for a

Party in the Electorate o Party Identification: n A citizen’s personal affinity for a political party n Usually expressed by his or her tendency to vote for the candidates of that party n Sources o Parents o Marriage and other aspects of adult life can change one’s party loyalty o Charismatic political personalities, cataclysmic events, and maybe intense social issues o Social class remains a powerful indicator of likely partisan choice.

Group Affiliations o Geographic Region n o o o South still has Democratic Party

Group Affiliations o Geographic Region n o o o South still has Democratic Party affinity at local election level. o Social and Economic Factors n Gender gap n n African Americans Hispanics n Very young and very old more Democratic Race and Ethnicity o Religion n Age o Protestants favor Republicans; Catholics and Jews are predominantly Democratic. Marital Status n o Republicans have higher SES (occupation, income, and education) supporters. Married people lean more towards Republicans. Ideology n Few surprises

Is the Party Over or Has it Just Begun? o Dealignment: a general decline

Is the Party Over or Has it Just Begun? o Dealignment: a general decline in partisan identification and loyalty in the electorate o Rise of independents n Rise from 19 percent in 1958 to height of 40 percent in 2000 n Subsequently, Independent percentages hover near that watermark. n Many of these are “leaning” independents. o Tend to vote very much like real partisans o But generally reluctant to reveal their leanings o May indicate that party labels are viewed as an offense to their individualism n n n Growth of issue-oriented politics Personality politics Party splits

Is the Party Over or Has it Just Begun? o Parties’ decline can easily

Is the Party Over or Has it Just Begun? o Parties’ decline can easily be exaggerated n 1. 2. 3. 4. Why? Usually have been reliable vehicles for mass participation Both major parties have demonstrated flexibility and pragmatism, which has helped ensure their survival and the success of the society they serve. Have continued to provide competition for each other and the voters at the national level Party in government and the party organizations are stronger than ever, regardless of the fluctuations found in party in the electorate