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Chapter 9: Political Parties Chapter 9: Political Parties
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What Is a Political Party?What Is a Political Party?
A group of political activists who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy.
How are parties different from interest groups? Ralph E. Becker Collection /Smithsonian Institution
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The Three Components of Political Parties
The Three Components of Political Parties
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Functions of Political Parties Functions of Political Parties
Recruit candidates to run for elective offices at all levels of government
Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections
Bear the responsibility of operating government at all levels
Provide organized opposition to the party in power
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Where the Voters Are Where the Voters Are
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History of Political PartiesHistory of Political Parties
The Formative Years: Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Era of Good Feelings
National Two-Party Rule: Whigs and Democrats
© The Granger Collection, New York
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The Golden Age of Parties The Golden Age of Parties
The Civil War Crisis
The Post-Civil War Period• “Rum, Romanism,
and Rebellion”• The Triumph of the
RepublicansCourtesy of Smithsonian Institute, neg #98-4290
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History of Political Parties History of Political Parties
The Progressive Interlude
The New Deal Era
An Era of Divided Government• In the years after 1968, the general pattern was
often a Republican president and a Democratic Congress.
• 2000 Presidential Election (Red state–blue state)
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Election 1896Election 1896
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Election 2004Election 2004
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The Two Major Parties Today
The Two Major Parties Today
The parties’ core constituents• Economic beliefs
• Recent economic convergence?• Republican and Democratic
Budgets• Democrats have the reputation of
supporting the less-well-off, and Republicans the prosperous.
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Income and Party Identification
Income and Party Identification
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Republican and Democratic Issues
Republican and Democratic Issues
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The Three Faces of a PartyThe Three Faces of a Party
1. The people who identify with the party or who regularly vote for the candidates of the party in general elections
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Three Faces of a Party (cont.)
Three Faces of a Party (cont.)
2. Party Organization• National
• Convention delegates• National Committee• National Chairperson• State party organization• Local (grass roots) organization
– Patronage and City Machines– Local Party Organizations Today
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National Conventions National Conventions
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Three Faces of a Party (cont.)
Three Faces of a Party (cont.)
3. The Party in Government• Divided
Government• The Limits of Party
Unity• Party Polarization
© Andy Levin/Photo Researchers, Inc.
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Why Has the Two Party System Endured?
Why Has the Two Party System Endured?
Duality
Political socialization and practical considerations
The Winner-Take-All Electoral System• Presidential Voting• Popular Election of the Governors and President• Proportional Representation
State and Federal Laws Favoring the Two Parties
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The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics
Ideological Third Parties
Splinter Parties
The Impact of Minor Parties• Influencing the Major Parties• Affecting the Outcome of an Election
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Policies of Selected
American Third Parties Since 1864
Policies of Selected
American Third Parties Since 1864
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Mechanisms of Political Change
Mechanisms of Political Change
Realignment• The Myth of Dominance• The Myth of Predictability• Is Realignment Still Possible?
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Mechanisms of Political Change (cont.)
Mechanisms of Political Change (cont.)
Dealignment: A major drop-off in support for the parties.• Independent Voters• Not-So-Independent Voters
Tipping
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Party Identification: 1937–Present
Party Identification: 1937–Present
