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Political PartiesPolitical Parties
What is the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats?
Why are political parties important in a democracy?
Presidential election ResultsPresidential election Results
Political SocializationPolitical Socialization Source of political beliefs and attitudes
Family and the Social Environment Education Peers Leaders’ Influence Media Political events
Example:– The Great Depression – 60’s and the Vietnam War Era
What are political parties? What are political parties?
Definition Political party is an
organization that seeks to attain political power within a government
Usually by participating in electoral campaigns.
Parties often support a certain ideology
Subgroups interests are integrated
Institutional Constraints on Political Parties
Institutional Constraints on Political Parties
Structure and Strength of Parties: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Presidential or Parliamentary System Laws and Constitution
Theory: Lipset and RokkanTheory: Lipset and Rokkan
Theory on Political Cleavages Parties that were formed in the aftermath of political,
religious, and economic revolutions are frozen. State vs. Church Worker vs. Owner Land vs. Industry Center vs. Periphery (Fed vs. State)
These have and will continue to exist in the political arena despite new issues and challenges.
The ConstitutionThe Constitution
Says nothing about political parties. Why?
Founding fathers felt parties were wicked and corrupt.
Did not want parties to control politics.
Did not want to pervade the entire country and create factions.
Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology
Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology
Republican Party (GOP)- Considered the more
socially conservative and economically neoliberal.
Laissez-Faire Economics Party Chairman- Ken
Mehlman Democratic Party-
Considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist.
Party Chairman- Howard Dean
US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)
US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)
American Revolution
Federalist•Founded by Hamilton
•Supported strong central government•Commercial interest: merchants and large planters
Anti federalist•Founded by Jefferson
•Supported more state autonomy•Also known as the Republicans
Jackson split into a Democratic party
Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs
Hamiltonian vision for modernizing the United States
Era of Good Feelings (1817-1825)Era of Good Feelings (1817-1825)
One Party Dominance (the Republicans) Federalist virtually collapsed in 1816 1817-1825 no real competition Republicans opposed big government
US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)
US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)
Prelude to Civil War
Democrats•Strong state govt
•Opportunities for common man •Hostile to blacks
•Needed slavery for economy
Whig party (National Republicans )•Active federal. govt,
• Laissez-Faire economics •Against the expansion of slavery
•
Southern Whigs ceased to exist (dealigned)
Northern Whigs realigned, and united with antislavery Democratsand radical antislavery Free Soil party thus creating Lincoln’s
Republicans party
US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)
US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)
Post Civil War
Democrats•Feared strong central govt
•Did not want to give free slaves rights•Dominated the white south for decades
Republicans•Sought to increase the power of the federal govt
•Promoted economic growth and businesses•Promoted evangelical protestant morals and values
•Public schools w/ protestant curriculum•Inflation in check to maintain working class wages
•Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol
Democrats embraced populism. Advocated for small farmersSought high inflation for debt relief.
US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)
US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)
Industrial Revolution
Democrats •Traditional small govt. policy was realigned and opened
to govt. intervention in the economy•Wilson was able to win presidency because the Republican
split
Republicans•Honest Impartial Govt could regulate the economy
more effectively
1912 split : T. Roosevelt ran on the Bull Moose TicketThe platform based non progressive ideals. Protect women, children, and
immigrants. Reform corrupt govt, and give people more voice.
US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System
US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System
Great Depression and New Deal
RepublicansLaissez Faire
State govt and private organizationsTo ease the suffering
Democrats United whites and blacks
Both sought relief from hardshipsStrong federal govt
60’sDemocrats split from economic and social Conservatives in south into republican base
60’ssocial progressives African Americans
remained Democrats
Function of Political Parties
Function of Political Parties
To mobilize the public in an organization Organize and run elections Recruit Candidates (strategy: TO WIN) Presenting alternative policies Accepting responsibility for the operation
of govt. (advocating party agenda) Acting as opposition to party in power
Soft Money Raised by Parties, 1993-2002
Soft Money Raised by Parties, 1993-2002
Parties: Party Structure Parties: Party Structure National Level
Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee
State level Governor controls State Conventions State party chairperson Party Boss
Local Level (Grassroots) County Committee County Chairperson District Leaders Precinct or ward captains Party Workers
Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon
Primary ElectionsPrimary Elections
Candidates official nomination process All parties will select their candidate for the general
election Presidential or gubernatorial candidates First Tuesday in the month of June before the general
election in November Front-Loading:
State determines the date for its primary or caucus Early primaries are more influential
– States compete to schedule their primaries as early as possible
– New Hampshire (first presidential primary)– Iowa (first caucus)
Parties in ActionParties in Action
Meetings Quadrennial Nominate presidential
candidate Reveals party platform Introduces new and upcoming
stars Establishes party momentum
Government Provides funding for
candidates Whips legislators
Finances Fund raising
Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon
Accountability to the VotersAccountability to the Voters
Presidential and Parliamentary Systems
Viable third parties
Role of the CitizenRole of the Citizen
QuizQuiz
Why are political parties important in to fulfilling democracy?
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