The Role of Political Parties

Build stable legislative and electoral alliances

Mobilize voters Choose candidates and get them

elected Inform and stimulate the public

Party Differences

Democrats– Pro-choice– Gun control– Liberal– Government

involvement

Party Differences

Republicans– Pro-life– Anti-gun control– Conservative– Limited government

involvement

U.S. Parties vs. European Parties

United States– Primaries, party has less of a role– Candidate runs the campaign– Elected officials often vote against party

line– Citizens vote more based on issues and

the candidate’s personality

Europe– Party selects candidate– Party runs campaign– Elected officials vote party line– Citizens vote based on party labels

Development and Evolution of the U.S. Party System

First Party System: The Founding

1789-1824 Founders believed that factions were

motivated by self-interest The first parties were small coalitions

based more on geography and class than on common economic interests

First two parties– Federalists (Hamilton)- New England– Republicans (Jefferson)- South

Second Party System: Jacksonians1828-1854

Two Parties– Democrats (Jackson)– Whigs (opponents of Jackson)

Political participation became a mass phenomenon

Replaced the caucus system with the party convention

Organized the parties at local levels

Third Party System: Civil War & Sectionalism1856-1896

Rise of the Republican Party– Party was made up of old Whigs and

Democrats who opposed slavery Party Machinery

– Gave favors in exchange for votes Two factions developed within each

party Republican Party

– Stalwarts or Old Guard– Mugwumps or Progressives

Fourth Party System: Era of Reform

1896-1932 Progressive Era Reforms

– Civil Service Exam– Australian Ballot- secret ballot– Primary Elections– Ended Patronage

Fifth Party System: 1932 to Present

Party line voting declined, and ticket splitting increased

Voters become more indifferent to parties

Increase in Third Parties Rise in Divided Government

Party Realignments

Party Realignments

1800- the Jeffersonian Republicans defeated the Federalists

1828- the Jacksonian Democrats came to power

1860- the Whig Party collapses and the Republicans under Lincoln come to power

1896- the Republicans defeat William Jennings Bryan

1932- the Democrats under Roosevelt come to power

The National Party Structure

The National Party Structure

National Convention– Every 4 years– Purpose

Select presidential nominee Write party platform

National Committee– Purpose

Run the general operations of the party Raise money Help candidates

National Party Structure

National Chairperson– Purpose

Run day-to-day operations

Republican: Reince Priebus Democratic: Tim Kaine

Local Level Organization

The Machine– Party Machine

Ideological Parties– Parties based around values

Solidarity Groups– People participate in politics for the social

elements Sponsored Parties

– A group sponsors a party Example: United Auto Workers (UAW)

Campaigns and Elections

Function of the Election

• Elections have 2 crucial phases

– Getting nominated– Getting elected

Congressional Elections vs. Presidential Elections

Presidential Campaigns• Produce the largest voter

turnout• Presidential candidate

must work harder and spend more $

• More competitive• Rely more on mass

media• Responsible for the

“mess in D.C.”

Congressional Campaigns• The incumbent often wins• These candidates only

need to be appealing to the more motivated voter

• Congress does things for their constituents that a president cannot

• Congress can pass the blame for the “mess in D.C.”

Presidential Election Process

1. Each state holds a primary or caucus between January and June to determine candidates for parties

• The Iowa Caucus (Feb. 12) is the first real test of a candidate trying for president

2. Candidates then enter into general elections against the other political parties

Congressional Elections

• If you are running against an incumbent in Congress then the odds are against you

• Districting in the House is always an issue– Malapportionment– Gerrymandering

• The Constitution requires reapportionment every 10 years

Congressional Qualifications

House of Representatives

• 25 years of age

• Citizen of the U.S. for 7 years

• Must be an inhabitant of the state elected

Senate

• 30 years of age

• Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years

• Must be an inhabitant of the state elected

Campaign Issues

• There are two kinds of campaign issues

– Position Issues

– Valence Issues

T.V., Debates & Direct Mail

Television• The role of T.V. ads in determining the

outcome of an election is minimal

Debates• The drawback to candidates of T.V. visuals

and debates are verbal slips

Mail• Direct mail is the best way to reach all the

supporters of a certain issue in a certain area

Campaign Financing

• Study Pages 200-206

Running for President

• Money• Organization

– Fund-raisers, lawyers, accountants, media consultants, advisors, pollsters, etc. Staff of hundreds

• Strategy and Themes– Tone, theme, timing, target

Running for Congress

• Incumbents have huge advantage– Franking privileges

• Cater to distrust by public of federal gov– “Run against Congress, not for it.”

• Sophomore surge– Newly elected members become strong in

their districts very quickly

What Decides the Election?

• Political Party– Republicans tend to be more loyal than

Democrats– Republicans do better with Independent

voters• Issues

– Prospective v. Retrospective Voting• Campaign

– Campaigns allow voter to see a candidate under pressure