political parties & elections
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Political Parties & Political Parties & ElectionsElections
FunctionFunctionConnect citizens to their government
◦ Linkage institution◦ Political Efficacy – citizens can make sense of
government decisions and processes; feel that government listens to them
Running candidates for political office◦ Need party organization to fund and coordinate
campaignInform the public
◦ Convey image to votersOrganize the government
◦ Coordinate government policy making
Why the 2 party’s?Why the 2 party’s?Consensus of values
◦ Broad consensus in basic political values-liberty, equality, individualism
Historical influence◦ Began with 2
Winner-take-all system◦ Pluralist – who ever wins the most in each voting
district is winner; no proportional representation. Only needs 1 more than the competitor
Organization of PartyOrganization of PartyGrassroots – state and local
control over decisions; provide foot soldiers for campaigns; 2004-2008 huge get out vote drives=higher voter turnouts
National Committee (Organize conventions); but national candidates run own campaigns!
Both Parties have a…Both Parties have a…National CommitteeNational ChairmanNational ConventionCongressional Campaign
committee for incumbents and challengers
Broad ideological base – need to appeal to a large number of voters
History of PartiesHistory of PartiesCharacterized by long periods of
dominance by one party followed by a long period dominated by the other
Begins/ends with shifts in voting population = realignments
Federalists v. Anti-federalists(Democratic Republicans)◦Ratification of Constitution; Bank, business,
farmers◦Era of good feelings seems to merge both
party’sJacksonian Democracy
Whigs – interests of old federalists Democrats – Jackson
Civil War Era◦Whigs split over slavery = Republicans◦Ends dominance of Democrats =
REALIGNMENT
Republican Era 1861-1933◦Industrial Revolution◦Laissez faire
Election 0f 32-33 REALIGNMENT Democratic Era 1933-1969
◦Increase Government activity/involvement
Divided Government 1969-2008◦Control of Executive and Legislative
branches is split◦Gridlock – no ability to make decisions,
different policies advocated◦Republicans Presidents 1969-1993
Nixon, Ford, Reagan, & Bush Use media and well organized committees, $$$$
◦Democrats Look to grass roots, become disorganized 1969 – McGovern-Fraser Commission
More representation needed for minorities
Divided GovernmentDivided Government5 periods of divided government
in past 9 congressional elections◦1994Clinton◦1996Clinton◦1998Clinton◦2000Bush◦2006Bush
Minor PartiesMinor Parties2 categories
◦Dominated by individual personality T Roosevelt - Bull Moose George Wallace – American Independent
Party 1968/1972◦Organized around long lasting goal
or ideology Abolitionists Prohibitionists Socialists
Successful 3rd Parties◦Populists
William Jennings Bryan◦Ross Perot 1992
Received 19% of vote
Influence of a 3Influence of a 3rdrd Party PartyPlatforms are adopted by major
partiesAffect election outcomes (1912,
2000
Party PowerParty PowerDealignment - party
identification has weakened among voters – independents
Straight Ticket – utilized lessTicket Splitting – voting for
candidates from both parties for various positions
ReformsReformsPrimary Elections – power given to
rank and file members, not party leaders
Civil Service ExamDirect election of SenatorsVoting for WomenUse of electronic media, professional
consultants, direct mail recruitment of voter support weaken party influence
Election of 2008Election of 2008Increase in voting by young,
black and Hispanic peopleVote for Obama
Elections and CampaignsElections and CampaignsFoundation of democracyVoting on 500,000 public officesFunction of Elections
◦Choose political leaders◦Political participation◦Elected officials are accountable for
actions◦Legitimize positions of power
Role of PartiesRole of PartiesNot as important anymoreCandidates run, raise $$, personally
appeal to peopleWinner take all system
◦No proportional allocation◦Need plurality – largest # of votes◦America’s elections are single-member
districts – in any district the election determines one representative or office
◦Parties try to assemble a large coalition of voters to gain a plurality
Primaries and General Primaries and General ElectionsElectionsPrimaries – select party candidate for office
◦Closed - voter declares in advance his/her party; can only vote in party primary
◦Open – decide on voting day which party’s primary to participate in
◦Blanket - Vote for candidate from any partyCaucus – IOWA
◦Local party members vote for candidate; send decision to regional caucuses, vote, send decision to state caucus and make final decision
General Election◦1 candidate from each party
campaign against each other◦All registered voters can vote, no
matter party affiliation◦Lower voter turn out in non-
presidential years
Congressional v. Presidential Congressional v. Presidential CampaignsCampaignsCongress PresidentElection is regionalHoR is less competitive than Senate/PresidentFewer votersCommunicate directly with constituentsBlame problems on others in House
Election is nationalCoattail Effect (not as much effect lately)President takes responsibility for problems in government
Road to PresidencyRoad to PresidencyDeciding to Announce – political and
financial supportPresidential Primaries (choosing
delegates to go to convention)◦Iowa◦New Hampshire◦Frontloading – early primaries more
important than later primaries
The Conventions◦Held in summer◦Create party platform◦Formally announce Party candidate
for PresidentCampaigning and General
Election◦Two candidates face each other◦Presidential debates
Campaign and Election Campaign and Election ReformReformCampaign Spending
◦1976 Amendments Create Federal Election Commission No cash donations over $100 No foreign donations Limit individual contributions Corporations can establish PACs; limited
contributions Federal matching funds
◦Buckley v. Valeo Cannot limit personal $$ for personal
campaign
Soft Money criticized -funds not specified for candidates campaigns, but for “party building” activities - $$ gets to campaigns anyway thus…….
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, 2002◦Banned soft $$ to national parties◦Curb use of campaign ads by outside
interest groups
Honest leadership and Open Government Act 2007 Increase public disclosure regarding
lobbying and campaign fundingMust name lobbyists that “Bundle”
contributions Combining of individual campaign funds organized
by a lobbyist for the benefit of a national candidate
Bundling gains undue influence over candidate once elected
Problems in 2000 ElectionProblems in 2000 ElectionFlorida
◦Problems with recounts◦Spotlight on local control of voting
process◦“Intent to vote” is interpreted
differently in each county/precinct
527s in 2004527s in 2004Tax code makes the tax exemptWealthy donors benefit
◦America Coming Together◦Swift Boat Veterans
2004-2008 Changes in 2004-2008 Changes in ElectionsElectionsHelp America Vote Act
◦$$ for updating voting equipmentNew Voting Procedures
◦Early voting ◦Same day registration◦Absentee balloting
Critical Realigning Critical Realigning ElectionsElectionsSignificant change in the way large
groups votes; shift support from 1party to another; issue changes◦1860
Whigs collapse over slavery◦1896
Economics; farmers v. eastern laborers◦ 1932
Economic issues – farmers, urban workers, northern blacks, southern whites& Jewish voters support democrats
Interest GroupsInterest GroupsGroup of people who enter
political process to achieve shared goals
Exist outside structure of government
Parties v. Interest groupsParties v. Interest groupsParties – influence through
electoral process, run candidatesInterest groups support
candidates but do not run one of their own
Parties – broad spectrum of policies; Interest groups support 1 or a few related policies
PACS & 527sPACS & 527sPACS –Political Arm of interest
groups◦Raise $$◦Contribute to candidates
527s◦Influence nomination, election,
appointment, or defeat of a candidate◦Not regulated by FEC
Theories of Interest Groups Theories of Interest Groups PoliticsPoliticsElitist Theory
◦A few interest groups have power – corporate interests
Pluralist Theory◦Interest groups benefit US
Linkage One group is not all powerful Those weak in one source are strong in
anotherHyperpluralist
◦Too many groups◦Political chaos
Growth of Interest GroupsGrowth of Interest GroupsTypes
◦Broad based – National Association of Manufacurers
◦Specific – American Crick growers◦Economic
Types of membershipsTypes of membershipsInstitutional
◦Business or corporation◦Universities◦City Governemntents
Individual Interests◦Afl-CIO◦NAACP◦NOW
Types of Interest GroupsTypes of Interest GroupsEconomic
◦Profits, prices, higher wages Labor Unions – Union Shop (new employees
must join union) Agricultural Groups Business Groups Professional Groups – various occupations
Consumer and Public Interest◦Public Interest Groups (PIRGS)
League of Women voters◦Environmental groups – Sierra Club
w can my one, little vote
Equality and Justice Interests, little vote◦NAACP◦NOW
How they workHow they workLobbying – influence government
policies◦Contact, meetings, lunches, committee
hearingsElectioneering
◦Get and keep people in office◦Use of PACs
Litigation (lawsuits)◦Amicus curiae briefs◦Class action suits
Appealing to public – ad campaigns
Rating GamesRating GamesRating members of Congress in
terms of amount of support they give to legislation that is favorable to interest group
Where does the $$ come Where does the $$ come from?from?Foundation grants
◦Funds from wealthy families/corporations for philanthropy
Federal Grants◦Given to support projects the interest
group supportsDirect Solicitation
◦Direct mail for $$How can my one, little vote make a
difference?
Effective interest groups◦Size
Smaller is better Free rider – so many members = few
doing work all getting benefits◦Intensity
Single issue is most intense◦Financial Resources
Successful fundraising
Revolving doorRevolving doorGovernment officials quit political
jobs to work as lobbyists or consultants for special interests
Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995◦Try to limit revolving door◦Must disclose lobbying activities
intended to influence government◦Fines and prison for violations
Review questions!
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