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11
Political Parties
Video: The Big Picture11
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch11_Political_Parties_Seg1_v2.html
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Outline the structure of American political parties at the national, state, and local levels
11.1
11.2
Trace the evolution of the two-party system in the United States
Learning Objectives
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Analyze how political socialization and group affiliations shape party identification
11.3Identify the functions performed by American political parties
Learning Objectives
11.4
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Assess party polarization in the modern era
11.5Evaluate the role of minor parties in the American two-party system
Learning Objectives
11.2
11.6
Video: The Basics
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Roots of the Two-Party System
The Development of the Political Parties, 1800-1824
Jacksonian Democracy, 1824-1860 The Golden Age, 1860-1932 The Modern Era Citizen Support and Party Realignment
11.1
11.1The Development of Political Parties, 1800-1824 Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Federalists supported strong central government
Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson versus John Adams Political parties intended to be temporary, not long-
term structures
FIGURE 11.1: How has the two-party system developed?
11.1
Video: In Context 11.1
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11.1Jacksonian Democracy, 1824-1860
Political party influence Decreased at the national level Increased at the state level due to expansion of the
electorate
Whigs and Democrats Gave the United States the first broadly-supported
two-party system in the Western World
11.1The Golden Age, 1860-1932
Party Stability Characterized by the dominance of party organizations Era from end of Reconstruction until reforms of the
Progressive Era
Political Machines Organizations that use tangible incentives such as jobs
and favors to win loyalty among voters Provided upward social mobility
Where did the party symbols originate?
11.1
11.1The Modern Era
Elections and social services changes Ballot printing, other elections duties handled by
government instead of parties Roosevelt’s New Deal put social services in hands of
government, not parties
Candidate-centered politics Shift to focus on candidates, their issues and character
rather than on party affiliation
11.1Citizen Support and Party Realignment
Party realignments Dramatic shifts in partisan preference that drastically
alter the political landscape Existing party affiliations subject to upheaval
Critical elections May polarize voters around new issues or personalities
Secular realignments More gradual shifts in party coalitions
FIGURE 11.2: What does a realignment look like?
11.1
11.1 A major shift in power and popularity from one party to another is a:
11.1
a. Party realignment.
b. Party machine.
c. Secular realignment.
d. Critical election.
11.1 A major shift in power and popularity from one party to another is a:
11.1
a. Party realignment.
b. Party machine.
c. Secular realignment.
d. Critical election.
11.2The Organization of American Political Parties
The National Party The National Convention State and Local Parties Informal Groups
FIGURE 11.3: How are political partiesorganized?
11.2
11.2The National Party
The national chairperson Often selected by president or newly nominated
presidential candidate Chief fundraiser and spokesperson
The national committee Coordinates national convention and presidential campaign Democratic National Committee (DNC) Republican National Committee (RNC)
11.2The National Convention
Every four years Present a positive image of the candidate Serve as pep rallies
Delegates Formerly selected by party leaders, now often elected
in primary elections and caucuses
Superdelegates Allow Democratic Party some control
11.2State and Local Parties
Roots of the party Virtually all government regulation of political parties
is handled by the states Vast majority of party leadership positions are held at
state and local level.
Precinct Smallest voting unit; fundamental building block of the
party
State executive committee
How do college students help political parties?
11.2
11.2Informal Groups
Supportive interest groups Provide money and labor; labor unions, chambers of
commerce
Think tanks Institutional collections of policy-oriented researchers
and academics
11.2 These people act as the “foot soldiers” of the party:
11.2
a. State executive committee members
b. National party chairpersons
c. Precinct committee members
d. Party delegates
11.2 These people act as the “foot soldiers” of the party:
11.2
a. State executive committee members
b. National party chairpersons
c. Precinct committee members
d. Party delegates
11.3Activities of American Political Parties
Running Candidates for Office Formulating and Promoting Policy Organizing Government Furthering Unity, Linkage, and
Accountability
11.3Running Candidates for Office
Raising money Well-developed networks of donors Raise money and disseminate it to candidates
FIGURE 11.4: How much money do parties raise?
11.3
11.3Running Candidates for Office
Mobilizing support and getting out the vote Public opinion polls and tracking surveys Create TV advertisements “Get out the vote” Election Day activities
11.3Formulating and Promoting Policy
National Party Platform Most visible instrument used to formulate, convey, and
promote public policy Each party develops a lengthy platform outlining its
positions About two-thirds of the winning party’s platform tends
to be enacted About one-half of the losing party’s platform tends to
be enacted
11.3
Table 11.1: What do party platforms say?
11.3Organizing Government
Parties in Congress Party members in Congress select congressional leaders Those congressional leaders hold enormous power
FIGURE 11.5: How have party unity scores changed?
11.3
11.3Organizing Government
The presidential party President is informal party leader
President Dwight D. Eisenhower 11.3
11.3Furthering Unity, Linkage and Accountability
Party role Parties are the glue that holds elements of
government and political structure together Link together branches of government One more means of accountability
11.3 The political parties have great influence in Congress because:
11.3
a. Congressional representatives owe them loyalty in return for campaign help.
b. Parties arrange for the selection of congressional leaders.
c. Parties are instrumental in deciding who runs for office.
d. None of the above.
11.3 The political parties have great influence in Congress because:
11.3
a. Congressional representatives owe them loyalty in return for campaign help.
b. Parties arrange for the selection of congressional leaders.
c. Parties are instrumental in deciding who runs for office.
d. None of the above.
11.4Party Identification
Political Socialization Group Affiliations
11.4Political Socialization
Parents Single greatest influence on political beliefs
Other aspects of adult life Marriage Economic status
Charismatic leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt Ronald Reagan
11.4Group Affiliations
Geography Gender Race and ethnicity Age Social and economic factors Religion Marital status
TABLE 11.2: Who identifies as a Democrat? A Republican?
11.4
Which political party do Hispanics support?
11.4
11.4 Which people have the most significant influence on a person’s political socialization?
11.4
a. Parents
b. Peers
c. Co-workers
d. Civic groups
11.4 Which people have the most significant influence on a person’s political socialization?
11.4
a. Parents
b. Peers
c. Co-workers
d. Civic groups
11.5Minor Parties in the the American Two-Party System The formation and role of minor parties Barriers to minor-party success
11.5The Formation and Role of Minor Parties
Obstacles Transitioning from social movement to party is difficult
Minor parties have had influence Dixiecrats Green Party
TABLE 11.3: What are some of America’s minor parties?
11.5
11.5Barriers to Minor-Party Success
Proportional representation Apportions legislative seats according to percentage of
votes a party receives
Winner-take-all system Party that receives at least one more vote wins the
election
11.5 This voting system is more favorable to minor political parties:
11.5
a. Single-member, plurality electoral system
b. Winner-take-all electoral system
c. Electoral College
d. Proportional representation
11.5 This voting system is more favorable to minor political parties:
11.5
a. Single-member, plurality electoral system
b. Winner-take-all electoral system
c. Electoral College
d. Proportional representation
11.6Toward Reform: Red States and Blue States
United or Divided? Causes of Polarization Consequences of Polarization
11.6United or Divided?
Increasing partisan divisions Northern liberal Republicans and southern
conservative Democrats have become rare Parties have retreated in opposite directions
Effect on Americans? Unclear if Americans are equally polarized
11.6Causes of Polarization
Geographic divide “The United States of Canada” to the north “Jesusland” to the south
Stereotypes of political identifiers Republicans = NASCAR Democrats = Starbucks
Wedge issues “Guns, God, and gays” Abortion, gay marriage
11.6Consequences of Polarization
Congress Least productive in history Lack of moderates, lower incentive to compromise
Consequences to electorate Forcing moderate electorate to choose between
extremes may increase voter apathy
11.6
a. “Guns, God, and gays”
b. Abortion and contraception
c. Hot-button cultural issues
d. All of the above
11.6 Wedge issues have been blamed in part for recent deepening divides. Which are wedge issues?
11.6 Wedge issues have been blamed in part for recent deepening divides. Which are wedge issues?
11.6
a. “Guns, God, and gays”
b. Abortion and contraception
c. Hot-button cultural issues
d. All of the above
Discussion Questions
Is the two-party system good for America? Why is the country so polarized? How can the problem be fixed?
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Video: So What?
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