chapter 8 political parties © 2009, pearson education fiorina, peterson, johnson, and mayer new...

Chapter 8Political Parties

© 2009, Pearson Education

Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson, and MayerNew American Democracy, Sixth Edition


What Parties Do

Political Parties– Groups of like-minded people who band

together in an attempt to take control of government

– Central institutions of democratic governments

Parties represent the primary connection between ordinary citizens and the public officials they elect– But many people do not consider political

parties the heart of democracy– Many seem to think government would be

better without them


How Parties Contribute to Democratic Politics

What do parties offer that make them valuable to democratic government?– organizing and operating the government– focusing responsibility for government

action– developing issues and educating the public– synthesizing interests– recruiting and developing governmental

talent– simplifying the electoral systems


How Parties Detract from Democratic Politics

Capturing governments and dictating what they doConfusing responsibilitySuppressing the issuesDividing societyRecruiting candidates for the wrong reasonsOversimplifying the electoral system


The Balance Sheet

Are they good or bad for democracy?Safest Answer: they are both.But what would our system be like without parties?Reformers may want radical change, but they may not think fully of the consequences of such change.Still, we must think critically about the actions of parties and their influence in undermining representation.


Political Parties in American History

The United States pioneered the mass parties that are considered vital in modern EuropeThe first parties were composed of political notables who supported Jefferson and HamiltonQuickly these personal followings became mass parties– 1830s – Jacksonian Democrats and Whigs

• mass parties came much later in Europe– Today, parties are weaker but still very

important


The Party-Systems Interpretation of American History

Political change occurs constantly, but the system as a whole remains relatively stableOccasionally, dramatic events can make change occur quicklyRealignment scholars: four stable characteristics describe a party system:– The identity of the major parties– The relative balance of strength– The major issues– The party coalitions

Party systems can change gradually or, sometimes, suddenly.– Major changes in the system are called

realignments


Two-Party and Multi-Party Systems

Two-party system – System in which only two major parties

compete for office – In the minority among world democracies– Most democracies have multi-party systems

Electoral system– a means of translating popular votes into

control of public offices



Single-member, simple plurality system (SMSP)– Electoral system in which the country is

divided into geographic districts, and the candidates who win the most votes within their districts are elected

– The almost exclusive use of the SMSP electoral systems in the U.S. is an important part of the explanation for the American two-party system

Proportional Representation (PR)– Electoral system in which parties receive a

share of seats in parliament that is proportional to the popular vote they receive



In addition to the SMPS, other factors hurt the development of third parties in the U.S.– Ballot access laws– Campaign finance laws (presidential

elections)– Patterns of media coverage


How Strong Are American Political Parties Today?

In the 1970s, books were written about the decline and possible death of American political parties

In the 1980s, the tune changed

How did this happen?

Perhaps it lies in the conception of political party


How Strong Are American Political Parties Today?

Party in the electorate– Had declined between 1964 and 1974– Closet partisans– Today, ticket-splitting and party defection

rates are down

Party in government– Stronger than ever

Party organization– But what of party organizations?


The Decline of Party Organizations

Harder to evaluate

Party organizations were at their strongest at the point when the Progressive movement began

The decline of American party organizations was largely a consequence of deliberate public policies

– Elimination of party control of patronage

– Elimination of party control of nominations


The Decline of Party Organizations

Other factors:– Communications revolution lessened the

need for traditional parties– Technological developments have

diminished the need for party workers and party support• Elections rely instead on technology and

money– Increase in mobility: social, economic and

residential


The Revival of Party Organizations?

National committees were always the weakest level of the party organizations– Active only during presidential elections

Today, they are active and well-financedState and local parties are active and well-financed as wellYet, does this equal party organization revival?– Much less control over their candidates– Reluctance to punish officeholders who fail

to toe the party line– Contribute only fraction of resources

spent on electioneering


Parties Versus Interest Groups

Theory: power of interest groups is negatively correlated with the power of parties

Two premises:

– Parties have incentives to synthesize narrow interests in order to make the broad appeals necessary to win elections

– Strong parties can provide electoral resources and deliver the vote, freeing their candidates from dependence on interest-group resources and insulating them from reprisals


Parties Versus Interest Groups

Assumes two-party politics rather than multi-party politics.

– In the latter, parties often make narrow appeals.

Idea: when parties do not fill the political vacuum, then groups or some other influence will.

Alternative to party domination

– Not popular influence, but interest group influence

chapter 8 political parties © 2009, pearson education fiorina, peterson, johnson, and mayer new...

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