Political Parties

Chapter 8

The Meaning of Party

• Political Party:– A “team of men [and women] seeking to

control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.”

• Parties can be thought of in three parts:– Party in the electorate– Party as an organization– Party in government

The Meaning of Party

• Tasks of the Parties– Linkage Institution: The channels through which

people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.

– Parties Pick Candidates– Parties Run Campaigns– Parties Give Cues to Voters– Parties Articulate Policies– Parties Coordinate Policymaking

Figure 8.1

The Meaning of Party

• Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model– Rational-choice theory: Assumes that individuals act in

their own best interest, weighing the costs & benefits.

The Party in the Electorate

• Party identification is a citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.

• Ticket-splitting:– Voting with one party for one office and with

another party for other offices.– Ticket-splitting has become the norm in

American voting behavior.

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington

• These are the people that work for the party.• Local Parties

– Party Machines: A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern.

– Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines.

– Now urban party organizations are generally weak.– County organizations have partially filled the void.

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington

• The 50 State Party Systems– Closed primaries: voters must be registered with their

party in advance and can only vote for that party– Open primaries: voters decide on election day which

party to participate in, and then only that party– Blanket primaries: voters get a list of all candidates

and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label

– State party organizations are on an upswing in terms of headquarters and budgets.

The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washington

• The National Party Organizations– National Convention: The meeting of party

delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party’s platform.

– National Committee: One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions.

– National Chairperson: Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party.

The Party in Government: Promises and Policy

• These are the party members actually elected to government.

• Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help.

• Coalition:– A group of individuals with a common interest upon

which every political party depends.

• Parties & politicians generally do what they say they will do.

Party Eras inAmerican History

• Party Eras– Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to

the party in power.

• Critical Election– An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new

coalitions emerge.

• Party Realignment– The displacement of the majority party by the minority

party, usually during a critical election.

Party Eras inAmerican History

• 1796-1824: The First Party System– Madison warned of “factions”– First party were the Federalists

• 1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs– Modern party founded by Jackson– Whigs formed mainly in opposition to

Democrats

Party Eras inAmerican History

• 1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras– Republicans rose as the antislavery party– 1896 election revolved around the gold

standard

• 1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition– Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban

working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

Party Eras in American History

• Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.2)

Party Eras in American History

• 1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government– Party dealignment - disengagement of people

from parties– Party neutrality - people are indifferent

towards the two parties

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics

• Political parties other than Democrat or Republican

• Rarely win elections

• Third parties bring new groups and ideas into politics

• Two-party system discourages extreme views

Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics

• Winner-take-all system:– Legislative seats awarded only to first place

finishers.

• Proportional Representation:– Legislative seats awarded based on votes

received by the party - more votes, more seats

• Coalition Government:– Two or more parties join to run government

Understanding Political Parties

• Democracy and Responsible Party Government1. Parties have distinct comprehensive

programs.

2. Candidates are committed to the program.

3. Majority party must carry out its program.

4. Majority party must accept responsibility.

Understanding Political Parties

• American Political Parties and the Scope of Government– Lack of uniformity keeps government small– But, it also makes cutting government

programs harder to do

Understanding Political Parties

• Is the Party Over?– Political parties are no longer the chief source

of information for voters– State and national party organizations are

getting stronger– Majority of people still identify with a party, but

still split their tickets– Parties will continue to be around