Political Parties and Ideology What is a Party

Political Parties and Ideology

What is a Party? n Political Party – a group of people who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office n Major Party – a party that manages to win control of government

Major Parties n There are two major parties in the U. S. Can you name them?

What is Ideology? n Ideology is basically the way you look at how the world works n There are two major ideologies in the United States – Liberal – Conservative

Liberal and Conservative n People do not have to be strictly liberal on all issues, or conservative on all issues n You can mix the two to form your own individual ideology

Liberal and Conservative n Common Liberal Characteristics – Desire progressive change in society – Concerned with protection of human and civil rights, equality – Examples: ACLU, Sierra Club, NAACP, NOW, labor unions, Dems.

Liberal and Conservative n Common Liberal Issues – Pro-choice – Affirmative Action – Gun control – Aid to the poor – Protecting the environment – Gay rights

Liberal and Conservative n Common Conservative Characteristics – Desire to keep things as they are, maintain the status-quo – Change should be cautious, slow – Concerned with stability and order in society – Desire to maintain moral values and traditions

Liberal and Conservative n Common Conservative Issues – Anti-abortion – Allowing prayer in schools – Cutting taxes – Cutting regulations on businesses – Immigration control – Increased military spending

Liberal and Conservative n Often times, people hear what they want to hear from facts to support their ideology n For example…

What Do Parties Do? That’s the easiest question you’ve asked all semester.

What Do Parties Do? n Nominate Candidates n Inform and Activate Supporters n The “Bonding Agent” Function – making sure that officeholders do a good job once they are elected n Govern n Act as a Watchdog – criticizes the opposing party

The Two-Party System n The American political system is so developed and complex, that we choose the very finest candidates, right?

The Two-Party System n So, why do we have a two party system? – 1. Historical Basis – remember the Federalists and Anti-Federalists? – 2. Tradition – it has always been that way, so it naturally selfperpetuates

The Two-Party System n 3. The American Ideological Consensus – for the most part, we pretty much agree on all of the major stuff –People should own property –We should have equality –People have the right to vote

The Two-Party System n 4. The Electoral System – the U. S. uses single-member districts… that means only one person wins representation from each district

What’s the Big Deal? n The Italians are crazy.

Multiparty Systems n Several major parties, many lesser parties all compete for and win public office n Mostly in Europe and South American Democracies n Many parties must form a coalition, or a group of parties that form a majority

One-Party Systems • Found in dictatorships where only one party is allowed • Red is the international color of communism: Cold War slogan, “Better Dead than Red !”

Party Membership Patterns n Party membership is voluntary. Many change parties or go to an independent party… Each party must try to attract as much $upport as po$$ible n Congressman Jeff Flake from U. S. Congressional District 6 n

Party Membership Patterns n Some demographic groups are more reliable to each party, though these: n Tend to be Democrat – African Americans, Catholics, Jews, Union Members, Lower Income, Lower Education, Under 30, Over 60

Party Membership Patterns n Some demographic groups are more reliable to each party, though these: n Tend to be Republican – White, Protestant, Work in the Business Community, Higher Income, Higher Education, Middle-Aged

History of the Two-Party System n The First Two Parties – Federalists § Founded by Alexander Hamilton (on your $10 bill…) § Believed in forming a strong national government, supported policies that favored bu$ine$$. . . § “The business of America is business, ” said Calvin Coolidge

History of the Two-Party System n The First Two Parties – Democratic-Republicans/Anti. Federalists § Founded by Thomas Jefferson § Believed in limiting the federal government’s power, and supported policies that benefited the “common man”

History of the Two-Party System n Era of the Democrats (1800 -1860) – Democratic-Republicans had come to dominate politics, but then broke into two factions, the Democrats and Whigs – Democrats, led by Andrew Jackson, won most of the time over the Whigs

History of the Two-Party System n Era of the Republicans (1860 -1932) – Began with election of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War – Republicans dominated elections due to support from businesses and African Americans – Democrats only won in the South

History of the Two-Party System n The Return of the Democrats (19321968) – The Great Depression turned people against the Republican Party, especially as FDR led the U. S. out of the Depression. (Though it took many, many years…) – Dwight Eisenhower was the only Republican from this period

History of the Two-Party System n Divided Government (1968 -Present) – Nixon’s Watergate scandal has led people to distrust government – Characterized by different parties controlling Congress and the Presidency – Country is evenly divided (remember the 2000 election? )

Minor Parties n Why run for election when you know you will lose? – Act as the “spoiler” (Perot in 1992, Nader in 2000, ? ? ? in 2012? ? ? )

Minor Parties n Why run for election when you know you will lose? – Make your issues public, get the major parties to adopt them

Minor Parties n Why run for election when you know you will lose? – Criticize the major parties (That’s basically all Ralph Nader does)

Types of Minor Parties n Ideological Parties – based on a set of beliefs – Tend to be long lasting – Have very little electoral success – Examples: Communist, Socialist, Libertarian

Types of Minor Parties n Single-Issue Parties – concentrate on one public policy matter – Name usually reflects their issue – Party dies after the issue fades or one of the major parties adopts their issue – Examples: Free Soil, Nativist, Right to Life, Prohibition

Types of Minor Parties n Economic Protest Parties – arise during periods of poor economy, and express disgust with rallies/town halls, etc… – Usually sectional, drawing support from one region of the country – They invent an “enemy” of the economy and blame them – Examples: Greenback, Populist, Tea Party (party or ideology? )

Types of Minor Parties n Splinter Parties – break away from one of the major parties – Usually form around a strong personality (Teddy Roosevelt) – Typically have short-term electoral success – Fade away when the leader steps aside – Examples: Bull Moose, American Independent, Reform