Development ofPolitical Parties

A Political Party

Definition

A group of people with broad common

interests who organize to win elections,

control government, and thereby

influence government policies.

Tasks of Political Parties

• Pick Candidates

• Run Campaigns

• Give Cues to Voters

• Articulate Policies

• Coordinate Policymaking

2012 Republican Primary• These six men (others had

dropped out already) competed in a primary election in every state to determine which one would run against Pres. Obama in the General Election

• Closed Primary states – only Republicans could vote for which Republican candidate they wanted

• Open Primary states – either Democrats or Republicans could vote for which candidate they wanted to be the Republican nominee

One Party Systems

Usually authoritarian nations:

– Cuba

– China

– Vietnam

– North Korea– Iran (Theocracy)

Multi-Party Systems

• France – 5 major parties

• Italy – 10 major parties

• Great Britain – 2 major parties

• Israel – 7 major parties

• U.S. – 2 major parties

Political Parties in U.S.• Major

– Republican– Democratic

• Minor– Libertarian– Green– Constitution

                                                      

The Republican Party

• Nickname: The Grand Old Party (The GOP)• More conservative• More business oriented• Stronger on military issues/national security• Pro-Iraq War• Prefer smaller national government• Promote “family values” (strong morals)• Pro-life (anti-abortion)• Less likely to support gay rights issues• Business and industry trumps environment

Who traditionally supports the Republican Party?– Large businesses– Wealthier people– Southerners who may actually be registered

Democrats– Conservative religious groups– Military

The Republican Party

The Democratic Party

• More liberal and/or progressive• More diverse (race, ethnicity)• More “people” oriented (services)• Believe that government can solve problems• Comfortable with larger government• Generally oppose the Iraq war (at least now)• Pro-Choice • Generally supports gay rights• Concerned about the environment

Who traditionally supports the

Democratic Party?– Poorer people– Working class (unions)– Minorities– Highly educated people (intellectuals)

The Democratic Party

Ideologies of American parties overlap.

Where are independents?

What Is A 3rd Party?

In American politics, any political party (other than the Democratic or Republican parties) is called a 3rd party.

Major 3rd Parties in the U.S.

Libertarian

Green Party

Constitution Party

Other U.S. Political Parties (3rd Parties)– America First Party– Centrist Party– Independence Party of U.S.– Marijuana Party– Socialist Party (6 different versions)– Reform Party

Political Parties in U.S.

Full List of 3rd Parties

Google: American Political Parties

Why do we have 3rd parties?• Single-issue party

• Ideological party

• Splinter party

Impact of 3rd Parties

• Sometimes they change the outcome of elections

• Promote ideas (often adopted by major parties)

Obstacles to 3rd Parties

• Often can’t get on ballot

• People often view minor parties as a “wasted” vote

• Single-Member Districts

• Financing

Nominating Candidates

Schedule for Campaigns

• 2-3 years before election, the candidate is deciding to run and traveling around the country making speeches and drumming up support.

• 2 years before election, the candidate forms a planning committee.

• 1½ years before the election, the candidate formally announces and begins “running”.

• 1 year before election, primaries begin in New Hampshire and Iowa.

• 6 months before election, each state has its own convention.

• 4 months before election, both parties hold national convention.

• 4 months before election, the “official” campaign season begins.

Schedule for Campaigns

• The election finally arrives on 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November. This election actually elects the “electors.”

• The “electors” cast their votes in December.

• The “electors” votes are formally counted in late December.

• The new President takes office in early January.

Schedule for Campaigns

How Candidates Are Selected

Four ways• Caucuses (usually a meeting)

• Nominating Conventions

• Primary Elections

• Petitions

Caucus Process

• A precinct caucus meets, delegates are elected to district

• District meeting elects delegates to state convention

• State convention elects delegates to national convention

How Candidates Are Selected

Primary Process

• Local precinct elects “pledged” delegates to district convention.

• District convention elects delegates to state convention.

• State convention elects delegates to national convention.

How Candidates Are Selected

Primary Elections

Direct Primary Election– Closed Primary (only party

members)

– Open Primary (all voters)

The Texas Two-Step

• Precinct holds primary election to determine votes for candidates.

• After polls close (7:00 pm) for local primary election, anyone who voted in the primary can attend the precinct caucus to elect delegates to district convention.

Primary Elections“Established leaders hate primaries for good reason …

Primaries suck up and waste large sums of money from contributors who might better be tapped for the November finals …

The charges and counter charges of primary civil war provide the enemy party with ammunition it can later use with blast effect …”

Theodore H. White, 1961

Presidential Historian

“Beauty Contests”

More than half of states with primaries hold “beauty contests” which are preference polls in which voters indicate which candidate they choose. Caucuses later choose the actual candidate.

You will see this term on a test and may be asked to explain how it relates to political contests.

“Beauty Contests”

Problems with Primaries• Extend over too long a time• Too costly• Exhausting for candidates• Too many opportunities for

candidates to “stumble”• Tend to make the image of

candidate (personality and appearance) more important than issues

• Normally, few people vote in primaries

• If candidates lose early, they “die” politically

• Small states want to be first, second

or third

• Large states, with later primaries,

are left out

• National conventions are usually “rubber-stamps”

Problems with Primaries

Please Note: Last year’s race for the nomination from the Democratic Party was very different and not normal for races in the last 50 years.

National Conventions• Media events

• Establish Platform

• Big show for nominating the candidates

• Select the Vice-Presidential candidate