political parties. how do u.s. political parties differ from european parties? european voters are...

POLITICAL PARTIESPOLITICAL PARTIES

How do U.S. political parties How do U.S. political parties differ from European parties?differ from European parties?European voters are more loyalEuropean voters are more loyal

Federal system decentralizes powerFederal system decentralizes power

Parties regulated by state & federal lawsParties regulated by state & federal laws

Candidates are not chosen by party Candidates are not chosen by party leadersleaders

AlsoAlso– Unimportant in life – Americans do not join or Unimportant in life – Americans do not join or

pay duespay dues

The first political partiesThe first political parties

Founders disliked parties ( factions)Founders disliked parties ( factions)

Democratic- Republicans & FederalistsDemocratic- Republicans & Federalists– Begin with differing views of the constitution Begin with differing views of the constitution

and political notablesand political notables

Figure 7.3: Cleavages and Continuity in the Figure 7.3: Cleavages and Continuity in the Two-Party System (cont’d)Two-Party System (cont’d)

3. Discuss the reason for party decline3. Discuss the reason for party decline

Party loyalty has declinedParty loyalty has declined

Split-ticket voting*Split-ticket voting*

Increase in IndependentsIncrease in Independents

No longer sources of political No longer sources of political informationinformation

Figure 7.1: Decline in Party Identification, Figure 7.1: Decline in Party Identification,

1952-2000:1952-2000:

Source: National Election Studies, The Source: National Election Studies, The NES Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral NES Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior, 1952-2000, table 20.1.Behavior, 1952-2000, table 20.1.

Roles of Minor PartiesRoles of Minor Parties

Critics Critics

““Spoilers”Spoilers”

Ideas are often borrowed by Ideas are often borrowed by major partiesmajor parties

Types of Minor PartiesTypes of Minor Parties

1. Ideological parties – comprehensive 1. Ideological parties – comprehensive view of social, economic, and political view of social, economic, and political matters. Ex. – Libertarian & Socialist partymatters. Ex. – Libertarian & Socialist party

2. Single-issue party – concentrate on 2. Single-issue party – concentrate on one public-policy issue. Ex. – Right to Life one public-policy issue. Ex. – Right to Life PartyParty

3. Economic protest – Economic 3. Economic protest – Economic discontent Ex. – Populistdiscontent Ex. – Populist

4. Splinter parties – a party that has split 4. Splinter parties – a party that has split away from one of the major parties. Ex. – away from one of the major parties. Ex. – “Bull Moose” and American Independent“Bull Moose” and American Independent

Fundamental GoalFundamental Goal

To win electionsTo win elections

Why?Why?

To control governmentTo control government

DO THE PARTIES DIFFER?DO THE PARTIES DIFFER?

Democrats & RepublicansDemocrats & RepublicansDemocrats – Women, Union workers, Democrats – Women, Union workers, teachers, urban, African-American & teachers, urban, African-American & other minorities, Catholic & Jewsother minorities, Catholic & JewsIssues – Pro-choice, gov’t regulations Issues – Pro-choice, gov’t regulations on businesses and support social on businesses and support social welfare programswelfare programs

Republicans- white males, business Republicans- white males, business community, rural, Protestantscommunity, rural, Protestants

Issues – pro-life, lower taxes, and Issues – pro-life, lower taxes, and favor private market forces in the favor private market forces in the economyeconomy

What factors tend to influence What factors tend to influence ones choice in political ones choice in political parties?parties?

FamilyFamily

Major eventsMajor events

Economic statusEconomic status

Other Other

Table 7.2: Table 7.2: The Rise of Republican Politics in the The Rise of Republican Politics in the

South, 1956-2002South, 1956-2002

Table 7.3: Party Voting in Presidential Table 7.3: Party Voting in Presidential ElectionsElections

Critical ElectionsCritical Elections

Sharp and lasting shift in coalitionsSharp and lasting shift in coalitions

Major defeat of a party, and a new one Major defeat of a party, and a new one taking its placetaking its place

New issueNew issue

TWO-PARTY SYSTEMTWO-PARTY SYSTEM

RARE IN THE WORLDRARE IN THE WORLDU.S. SYSTEM - WHY?U.S. SYSTEM - WHY?HistoricalHistoricalThe force of TraditionThe force of TraditionBasic consensus on fundamental Basic consensus on fundamental mattersmattersElectoral system –Winner-take-allElectoral system –Winner-take-all

Map 7.1: The Election of 1828

Map 7.2: The Election of 1860Map 7.2: The Election of 1860

Map 7.3: The Election of 1896

Map 7.4: The Election of 1932

Table 7.4: Table 7.4: The Public The Public Rates the Rates the

Two PartiesTwo Parties

Table 7.5: How Party Delegates and Party Voters Table 7.5: How Party Delegates and Party Voters Differ in Liberal IdeologyDiffer in Liberal Ideology

Table 7.6: Political Opinions of Delegates and Table 7.6: Political Opinions of Delegates and VotersVoters

JournalJournal

Does a difference exist between the Does a difference exist between the Democratic and Republican parties? Democratic and Republican parties? Consider how the voters and candidates Consider how the voters and candidates differ on the issues.differ on the issues.

Two-Party System in Two-Party System in American HistoryAmerican History

Three Eras of single-party dominationThree Eras of single-party domination

Era of Democrats 1800-1860Era of Democrats 1800-1860

Era of Republicans 1860-1932Era of Republicans 1860-1932

Era of Democrats 1932-1968Era of Democrats 1932-1968

Era of Divided Gov’tEra of Divided Gov’t