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Political Parties

Video: The Big Picture11

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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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