macro economics 2301 chapter 13 notes

8/10/2019 Macro Economics 2301 Chapter 13 Notes

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CHAPTER 13

Political Parties and Voting


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Learning Objectives

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Explain the historical development of the

modern Democrat and Republican Parties

Define critical electionsand party

realignment and dealignment in the UnitedStates and cite examples of their occurrence

Identify and explain the three broad functions

of political parties


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Learning Objectives

3

Describe the historical and legal factors that

contributed to the development of the two-

party system in the United States

Assess the role that third parties have playedin U.S. elections

Illustrate how party organizations operate at

the national, state, and local levels, including

how they define party platforms and help their

candidates win elections


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Learning Objectives

4

Analyze the decline in political parties over thepast few decades and assess the futureprospects for the parties

Review the role of state governments inmanaging elections

Evaluate the effect of various constitutionalamendments on the expansion of voting rights

in the United StatesDistinguish between the wide array of voter

registration systems implemented in the 50states


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Learning Objectives

5

Assess the influence of different factors in

influencing voter turnout, including personal

demographics and the type of election contest

Analyze the trends in U.S. voter turnout overtime and how turnout in the United States

compares to that in other democracies

Explain the many forms of political

participation beyond voting


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The Development of

Political Parties in the United States

Tea Party arrived on the political scene in 2010

Principles espoused by the Tea Party movement Fiscal responsibility

Adherence of the Constitution Limited government

Opposition to excessive government spending

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Tea Party activists wearing themed costumes march in a tax-revolt rally in 2009
http://d/Media/Image_Library/chapter13/13p347_u01.html


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Roles of political parties (according to the American Political ScienceAssociation, APSA)

Offering clear programs to voters

Developing policy positions and opinions

Encouraging voter registration Working toward achieving the programs and policies they

recommend when they are successful in elections

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The Development of



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The Development of


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Founders designed a federal system without

political parties

They thought parties would promote corruption and

bias in the political system. They distrusted & rejected pol parties

Political Parties are organizations that

seek to win elections to influence government

are guided by a political philosophy

rooted in particular values/ideas lead to specific issue

positions

In his Federalist No. 10 in 1787, James Madison elaborated on his fear of factions = poli tical partieswith


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American political parties vs. most other

democratic countries American parties tend to alienate themselves to the

ideological extremes during elections

Parties in most democracies are strong and well organized,

whereas American parties tend to be weak organizationally

American parties have strong, clear constituencies based

along religious, social, and regional differences

Unlike some European counterparts, American partiescannot depend on unwavering support from their

constituents

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The Development of



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Parties are also important in other

democracies around the globe

British Prime Minister David Cameron of the

Conservative Party

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud


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European political parties have clear

constituencies based on social class

region ethnicity

religion

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Parties are also important in other

democracies around the globe


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The First Parties in America

British Tory Party

Supporters of the English crown loyalty to Britain & the king

British Whig Party Advocates of independence a new and independent American nation

Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Pitted against each other over ratification debate

The Development of


Though never explicitly intended, a competition for power between the 2

parties has been

proven to be a significant check against tyranny

Positive role of political parties they play a central role in running

government at all

levels, including organizing and providing context to voters


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George Washington despised parties &

refused to endorse their presence in politics

His supporters organized the Federalist Party

Democratic-Republican Party Opposed an overly strong national government

Challenged the Federalists

The Development of



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The Development of


Election poster in 1828 for Andrew Jackson. Jackson is the founder oftodays Democratic Party


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1796 election

Federalists endorsed Adams who won the

presidency

Democratic-Republicans endorsed Jeffersonwho won the vice-presidency

1800 election

Resulted in a tied Electoral College vote

Process modified to recognize political parties

The Development of



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Twelfth Amendment

Deferred to the reality of political parties

Formally separated Electoral College vote for

president and vice president Helped avoid the earlier problems of a bipartisan

presidency and/or a tied vote it corrected a frequent problem of havinga president and a vice president who were political enemies from different political parties

The Development of



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Purposes of the earliest national party

conventions Selection of the partys presidential candidate by the delegates

Selection of the candidate for vice president

Adoption and articulation of the party platform

Coordination of the activities of parties across the states in anticipation of

the pending national elections

Party platforma document, or official statement that outlines the political parts

position on important policy issues

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The Development of



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The Development of


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The 1800 election marked the beginning of

the end Federalist party

Became extinct after the election of 1820

Lack of competition fragmented theDemocratic-Republicans

1824 election

No candidate received a majority of electoral votes


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The Development of


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A Second Party System Emerges

Andrew Jackson formed the Democratic Party

Adams supporters formed National Republican

Party Election of 1828

Jackson elected based on his populist campaign

Changed the nature of campaigns

Presidential election influenced by masses


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The Development of


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Whigs and Democrats were national parties

Civil War was demise of Whig party

Republican Party replaced the Whig party

The Whig Party split bcs serious differences over the legality and morality of slave


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The Development of


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Modern Party System in America

Realignment or critical election

An election that results in a clear shifting of voter

preferences from one party to another, or that clearly

solidifies a partys unity

Dealignment

the decline in voter attachment to both parties

Functions of political parties

*negotiating content of new laws

*recruiting and promoting political candidates

*setting the agenda of government

*defining the nature of public policy


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The Functions of Political Parties

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Party identification Feelings of attachment to a particular party

Helps form attitudes on issues and voting decisions

Normal vote

Research shows There are more party identifiers than independents

Number of Democrats and Republicans is equal

Divided Government (split party control of presidency and Congress) Difficult to advance policy goals

Obamas 2008 victory temporarily ended divided

government


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Party Identifiers Who Say They Will

Support the Party Line

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Why a Two-Party System?

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Factors that contribute to a two-party system

Electoral College

Winner take all process for members of Congress

Ideological nature of public opinion in America Laws and regulations governing campaigns favor

major parties


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Minor and Third Parties

Most fail to register 1% of the popular vote in

presidential elections

Obstacles Sense that the vote would be wasted

Historical/cultural institutionalization of two-party system

Most voters identify with one of the two major parties

Limited media attention or coverage


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Ex. of third parties today

Green Party identified with a number of social justice causes,including feminism, promotion of diversity, and global

responsibility

Libertarian Party endorses the notion that govt should be smalland limited, interfering as little as possible with the

lives of citizens. It places a premium on individual

liberties and personal responsibility

Socialist Party endorses a strong government role in providinghealth care, jobs, housing, and education, among

other public programs

The Rent is Too Damn High Party Jimmy McMillan [1:22] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuCV1jxzAk

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuCV1jxzAkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuCV1jxzAkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuCV1jxzAk


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Are Parties in Decline?

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U.S. political parties may be in decline

Others argue certain aspects are declining

Scholars argue that parties are showing resurgence in

relevance

Parties remain alive and active regardless of view

Factors contributing to the decline of political parties

Increase negativity toward the parties

Mass media neglecting to cover parties

Voters now turning to media as their prime information source about political

issues and candidates

Mass media allowing candidates to appeal directly to the public for financial

support

Patronage the practice by which victorious parties offer loyal members jobs in government


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Voting

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Representative democracy

Citizens choose those responsible for making and

enforcing public policy

Majoritarianism Choice supported by most voters prevails

Consent of governed is satisfied

Voting

Ensures majority will rule

Requires elections on regular basis


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Voting

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Toward Universal Suffrage

Originally limited to white men with property

Civil War Amendments

Fifteenth Amendment guarantees the right to vote regardless of Poll tax, literacy test

Nineteenth Amendment guarantees women the right to vote

Twenty-third Amendment gave residents of D.C. the right to vote

Twenty-fourth Amendment outlawed poll taxes

Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18


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Voting

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Voter Registration Laws

Massachusetts first to require people to register

Most state registration systems adopted after

Civil War Individuals must meet qualifications to vote

Self-initiated voter registration

Motor Voter law


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Exercising the Franchise

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Factors that lead people to vote

Interest in politics

Sense of civic duty

Perception of impact on outcome Social group pressure


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Who Turns out to Vote?

Youth nonvoting

Less rooted in a community

Wealthy and educated citizens more likely to vote Education sharpens the mind

Improves ability to understand problems


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Methods of Casting a Ballot

Hand-counted paper ballots

Mechanical lever machines

Computer punch cards Optical scan cards

Electronic voting systems


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Differences in Voter Turnout Among Demographic

Groups in the 2008 Presidential Election

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Why Dont More People Vote?

High turnout shows healthy democratic system

Rational choice theory

Costs outweigh benefits

Five factors that characterize a high-stimulus

election

Presidential elections produce highest turnouts


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Voter Turnout in U.S. Congressional and

Presidential Elections

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Is Nonvoting a Problem?

Yes

Low turnout is a symptom of a weak democracy

Awards advantages to affluent society groups

No

Voting for sake of voting produces poor choices

Voting is voluntary

May be an indication of satisfaction


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Participation beyond Voting


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macro economics 2301 chapter 13 notes

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