POLS 21POLS 21Political PartiesPolitical Parties

“Saying we should keep the two-party system simply because it is working is like saying the Titanic voyage was a success because a few people survived on life rafts.”

—Eugene McCarthy

Parties are dangerous and divisive

Parties are absolutely indispensible

Two Opposing ViewsTwo Opposing Views

vs.

“The rise of political parties is indubitably one of the principle distinguishing marks of modern government. The parties, in fact, have played a major role as makers of democratic government… Political parties created democracy, and… modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of parties.”

—E.E. Schattschneider

“[The spirit of party] serves always to distract the Public Councils and enfeeble the Public administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one party against another, foments occasional riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions.”

—George Washington

Are political parties good or badAre political parties good or badfor democracy?for democracy?

There is There is no constitutional sanctionno constitutional sanction for for political parties. political parties.

Many of the nation’s early leaders were Many of the nation’s early leaders were openly hostileopenly hostile to the very idea of parties. to the very idea of parties.

Still, most political scientists embrace Still, most political scientists embrace political parties as an political parties as an essential componentessential component of American government. of American government.

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Parties provide a short-hand cue for votingParties provide a short-hand cue for voting Parties mobilize support and aggregate powerParties mobilize support and aggregate power Parties promote stabilityParties promote stability Parties provide for unity, linkage and accountabilityParties provide for unity, linkage and accountability Parties recruit, train, and fund political candidatesParties recruit, train, and fund political candidates Parties formulate public policyParties formulate public policy Parties promote civic virtueParties promote civic virtue

What functions do they perform?What functions do they perform?

““Tripartite” view of American political Tripartite” view of American political

partiesparties

Party-in-the-

electorate

Party-in-governme

nt

Party-as-organizati

on

The Responsible Party ModelThe Responsible Party Model

1.1. Parties have a clear platform of Parties have a clear platform of issue positions.issue positions.

2.2. All candidates run for election All candidates run for election on the basis of their party’s on the basis of their party’s platform.platform.

3.3. Voters cast ballots based on the Voters cast ballots based on the issues presented in the issues presented in the platform.platform.

4.4. Once elected, the majority Once elected, the majority party enacts their platformparty enacts their platform

5.5. Voters hold the majority party Voters hold the majority party accountable for the outcome.accountable for the outcome.

Notice that Notice that each of each of these these questions questions presents a presents a TESTABLE TESTABLE HYPOTHESIHYPOTHESISS. Does the . Does the “responsibl“responsible party e party model” model” work in work in practice?practice?

But…But…

Do parties have clear issue positions?Do parties have clear issue positions? Do voters accurately understand party Do voters accurately understand party

differences?differences? Do campaigns focus on parties and Do campaigns focus on parties and

issues, or candidates?issues, or candidates? Do candidates run as party members, Do candidates run as party members,

or as individuals?or as individuals? Do voters hold elected officials Do voters hold elected officials

accountable for outcomes?accountable for outcomes?

The American Two-Party The American Two-Party SystemSystem

Duverger’s LawDuverger’s Law The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College Ballot access Ballot access

restrictionsrestrictions Campaign finance lawsCampaign finance laws

Downs and the median Downs and the median voter modelvoter model

Voter socializationVoter socialization

The institutional explanationThe institutional explanation

Historical and cultural Historical and cultural explanationsexplanations

LiberalLiberal  [lib-er-uh l][lib-er-uh l] : Open-minded or : Open-minded or tolerant, especially free and not tolerant, especially free and not bound by traditional or conventional bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.ideas, values, etc.

conservativeconservative  [kuh n-sur-vuh-tiv][kuh n-sur-vuh-tiv] : : Disposed to preserve existing Disposed to preserve existing conditions, and institutions, or to conditions, and institutions, or to restore traditional ones, and to limit restore traditional ones, and to limit change.change.

What do these terms mean?What do these terms mean?

X

Political IdeologyPolitical Ideology

LIBERALISM:LIBERALISM: Values cultural diversity, Values cultural diversity, government programs for the needy, public government programs for the needy, public intervention in the economy, and individuals’ intervention in the economy, and individuals’ right to a lifestyle based on their own social right to a lifestyle based on their own social and moral positions. and moral positions.

CONSERVATISM: CONSERVATISM: Belief in reduced Belief in reduced government spending, personal government spending, personal responsibility, traditional moral values, and a responsibility, traditional moral values, and a strong national defense.strong national defense.

A Working DefinitionA Working Definition

LIBERALLIBERAL CONSERVATIVCONSERVATIVEE

MODERATEMODERATE

Is a single dimension really adequate?Is a single dimension really adequate?

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CIA

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OLIC

YS

OC

IAL P

OLIC

Y

ECONOMIC POLICYECONOMIC POLICY

Government Control

Government Control

Freedom

Social and political liberals favor

limited government regulation of

individual behavior

Social and political conservatives favor broad government

regulation of individual behavior

Economic conservatives favor fiscal responsibility and limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business

Economic liberals favor spending and broad

government involvement in economic policymaking and

regulation of business

CONSERVATIVECONSERVATIVE STATISTSTATIST

LIBERTARIANLIBERTARIAN LIBERALLIBERAL

CENTRISTCENTRIST

SO

CIA

L P

OLIC

YS

OC

IAL P

OLIC

Y

ECONOMIC POLICYECONOMIC POLICY

Government Control

Government Control

Freedom

Social and political liberals favor

limited government regulation of

individual behavior

Social and political conservatives favor broad government

regulation of individual behavior

Economic conservatives favor fiscal responsibility and limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business

Economic liberals favor spending and broad

government involvement in economic policymaking and

regulation of business

“I worked my way up from poverty to become the successful business owner that I am today. I get frustrated when I think that my tax money goes to support people who won’t help themselves. I think part of the blame belongs with the media—they promote all the wrong values.”

“I really don’t care what other people do in their free time, as long as they don’t bother me. I sure don’t like it when the government tells me what to do with my money or in my own home—I’m certainly not going to turn around and do the same thing to my neighbors.”

“I really worry about the state of the world today. It seems like more and more kids are growing up in poverty and there’s no one to help them. I think we need to do more toward providing health care and education programs for young people.”

“These days, you can’t be too careful. I think we need to spend a lot more money on the national security. I wish there was a police officer on every corner! The police could search my car all they want, since I don’t break the law. I also think the government should crack down on the media—their reporting gives our enemies an inside look at all our military preparations.”

CONSERVATIVECONSERVATIVE STATISTSTATIST

LIBERTARIANLIBERTARIAN LIBERALLIBERAL

CENTRISTCENTRIST

[We] want to get our society back on track-toward good schools with great [We] want to get our society back on track-toward good schools with great teachers, welfare that really helps, and health care responsive to the needs of teachers, welfare that really helps, and health care responsive to the needs of people, not government. We want to make sure our most important programs-people, not government. We want to make sure our most important programs-like Social Security and Medicare-are there when people need them.like Social Security and Medicare-are there when people need them.

We need a smaller, more effective, more efficient, less bureaucratic We need a smaller, more effective, more efficient, less bureaucratic government that reflects our time-honored values. The American people do not government that reflects our time-honored values. The American people do not want big government solutions and they do not want empty promises. They want big government solutions and they do not want empty promises. They want a government that is for them, not against them; that doesn't interfere want a government that is for them, not against them; that doesn't interfere with their lives but enhances their quality of life. with their lives but enhances their quality of life.

Our purpose in welfare reform is not to save money but to bring into the Our purpose in welfare reform is not to save money but to bring into the mainstream of American life those who now are on the margins of our society mainstream of American life those who now are on the margins of our society and our economy.and our economy.

Government's job should be to give people the tools they need to make the Government's job should be to give people the tools they need to make the most of their own lives. Americans must take the responsibility to use them, to most of their own lives. Americans must take the responsibility to use them, to build good lives for themselves and their families. Personal responsibility is the build good lives for themselves and their families. Personal responsibility is the most powerful force we have to meet our challenges and shape the future we most powerful force we have to meet our challenges and shape the future we want for ourselves, for our children, and for America. want for ourselves, for our children, and for America.

We reaffirm our commitment to agricultural progress, environmental We reaffirm our commitment to agricultural progress, environmental improvement, and the prudent development of our natural resources. Our goal improvement, and the prudent development of our natural resources. Our goal is to continue the progress we have made to achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier is to continue the progress we have made to achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier environment for all Americans - and to pass on to our children and environment for all Americans - and to pass on to our children and grandchildren a better environment than we have today.grandchildren a better environment than we have today.

We believe in equal opportunity for all, and special privileges for none.We believe in equal opportunity for all, and special privileges for none.

Which party used these two keywords in their slogan: Opportunity and Which party used these two keywords in their slogan: Opportunity and Responsibility?Responsibility?

R

D

R

D

R

DD

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ECONOMIC POLICYECONOMIC POLICY

Government Control

Government Control

Freedom

DLCDemocratic

Party

Republican Party

G.W. Bush?

“Blue Dog” Democrats

“Mod Squad”

Bill ClintonSocial and political liberals favor

limited government regulation of

individual behavior

Social and political conservatives favor broad government

regulation of individual behavior

Economic conservatives favor fiscal responsibility and limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business

Economic liberals favor spending and broad

government involvement in economic policymaking and

regulation of business

“Pro-Cons”

FOREIGN FOREIGN POLICY?POLICY?

TEA PARTY: The movement began in 2009 as a reaction against the bailout of Wall Street banks and President Obama’s stimulus package. Today, it represents a small fraction of fiscally conservative Republicans who are so ideologically opposed to the Affordable Care Act that they think it’s worth a government shutdown and potential default on the nation’s debts.

SO

CIA

L P

OLIC

YS

OC

IAL P

OLIC

Y

ECONOMIC POLICYECONOMIC POLICY

Government Control

Government Control

Freedom

DLCDemocratic

Party

Republican Party

G.W. Bush?

“Blue Dog” Democrats

“Mod Squad”

Bill ClintonSocial and political liberals favor

limited government regulation of

individual behavior

Social and political conservatives favor broad government

regulation of individual behavior

Economic conservatives favor fiscal responsibility and limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business

Economic liberals favor spending and broad

government involvement in economic policymaking and

regulation of business

“Pro-Cons”

FOREIGN FOREIGN POLICY?POLICY?

Political Ideology vs. Partisan Political Ideology vs. Partisan IdentificationIdentification

0

5

10

15

20

25

1 2 3 4 5 6 70

5

10

15

20

25

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Strong Democrat

Strong Republican

IndependentExtremely Liberal

Extremely Conservativ

e

Moderate

Percent responding Percent responding

2012 Election Results by 2012 Election Results by StateState

Partisan IdentificationPartisan Identification

““Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what?”what?”

““Would you call yourself a strong Would you call yourself a strong [DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN] or a not very strong [DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN] or a not very strong [DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN]?” [DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN]?”

[IF INDEPENDENT, NO PREFERENCE, or OTHER] “Do [IF INDEPENDENT, NO PREFERENCE, or OTHER] “Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party?”or to the Democratic Party?”

Strong Strong DemocratDemocrat

Weak Weak DemocratDemocrat

Lean Lean DemocratDemocrat

Lean Lean RepublicanRepublican

Weak Weak RepublicanRepublican

Strong Strong RepublicanRepublican

IndependeIndependentnt

11 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7

Do all Independents belong in the middle of the political spectrum?

19521954195619581960196219641966196819701972197419761978198019821984198619881990199219941996199820002002200420062008

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percent responding

Democrat Republican Independent Apolitical

Source: National Election Studies, various years.

Trends in Partisan Identification, 1952-2008Trends in Partisan Identification, 1952-2008Excluding “Leaners”Excluding “Leaners”

A Rise in Independents?A Rise in Independents?

Not all respondents classified as Not all respondents classified as “Independents” label themselves “Independents” label themselves that way.that way.

Most independents are, in fact, Most independents are, in fact, “hidden” partisans. “hidden” partisans.

““Nothing in that respect. I don’t consider myself anything Nothing in that respect. I don’t consider myself anything politically.”politically.”

““I ain’t none of them.”I ain’t none of them.” ““None.”None.” ““Not anything.”Not anything.” [Laughs] “You should call me nothing.”[Laughs] “You should call me nothing.” ““No preference.”No preference.” ““I don’t think of myself as anything.”I don’t think of myself as anything.” ““It depends.”It depends.” ““I’m an American.”I’m an American.” “ “May the best man win. It’s the best candidate.”May the best man win. It’s the best candidate.” ““I’m someone who believes in what I believe is a good man who will I’m someone who believes in what I believe is a good man who will

do the most for the country.”do the most for the country.” I’m not a Republican, not a Democrat, not an Independent, and not a I’m not a Republican, not a Democrat, not an Independent, and not a

Communist.”Communist.” I’m nothing. I don’t holler about it.”I’m nothing. I don’t holler about it.” [Interviewer asks if the respondent would call himself an [Interviewer asks if the respondent would call himself an

Independent.] “You don’t mean one of those minority groups?”Independent.] “You don’t mean one of those minority groups?” ““Oh hell, I don’t know.”Oh hell, I don’t know.”

Each of these Each of these respondents respondents

was ultimately was ultimately classified as classified as

an an “Independent.“Independent.

””

19681968 19721972 19761976 19801980 19841984 19881988 19921992 19961996

Strong DemocratsStrong Democrats 85%85% 73%73% 91%91% 86%86% 87%87% 93%93% 93%93% 96%96%

Weak DemocratsWeak Democrats 5858 4848 7474 6060 6767 7070 6969 8282

Independents, closer to Independents, closer to DemocratsDemocrats 5252 6060 7272 4545 7979 8888 7171 7676

IndependentsIndependents ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Independents, closer to Independents, closer to RepublicansRepublicans 8282 8686 8383 7676 9292 8484 6262 6868

Weak RepublicansWeak Republicans 8282 9090 7777 8686 9393 8383 6060 7070

Strong RepublicansStrong Republicans 9696 9797 9696 9292 9696 9898 8787 9494

Party Identifiers Voting for Their Party Identifiers Voting for Their Party’s Presidential CandidateParty’s Presidential Candidate

19521954195619581960196219641966196819701972197419761978198019821984198619881990199219941996199820002002200420062008

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percent responding

Democrat Republican Independent Apolitical

Source: National Election Studies, various years.

Trends in Partisan Identification, 1952-Trends in Partisan Identification, 1952-20082008

Including “Leaners”Including “Leaners”Is there room for a third party?

Trends in Partisan Trends in Partisan Identification, 1952-2008Identification, 1952-2008

19521954195619581960196219641966196819701972197419761978198019821984198619881990199219941996199820002002200420062008

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Percent responding

Strong DemocratWeak DemocratIndependent, leans Democrat

IndependentIndependent, leans RepublicanWeak Republican

Strong RepublicanApolitical

Third Parties in AmericaThird Parties in America

Third PartyThird Party YearYear% of Popular % of Popular

VoteVoteElectoral Electoral

VotesVotes Fate in Next ElectionFate in Next Election

Anti-MasonicAnti-Masonic 18321832 7.87.8 77 Endorsed Whig Endorsed Whig candidatecandidate

Free SoilFree Soil 18481848 10.110.1 00 Received 4.9% of voteReceived 4.9% of vote

Whig-AmericanWhig-American 18561856 21.521.5 88 Party dissolvedParty dissolved

Southern DemocratSouthern Democrat 18601860 18.118.1 7272 Party dissolvedParty dissolved

Constitutional Union Constitutional Union 18601860 12.612.6 3939 Party dissolvedParty dissolved

PopulistPopulist 18921892 8.58.5 2222 Endorsed Dem. Endorsed Dem. candidatecandidate

Progressive (T. Progressive (T. Roosevelt)Roosevelt)

19121912 27.427.4 8888 Returned to Rep. PartyReturned to Rep. Party

SocialistSocialist 19121912 6.06.0 00 Received 3.2% of voteReceived 3.2% of vote

Progressive (LaFollette)Progressive (LaFollette) 19241924 16.616.6 1313 Returned to Rep. PartyReturned to Rep. Party

States’ Rights DemocratStates’ Rights Democrat 19481948 2.42.4 3939 Party dissolvedParty dissolved

Progressive (H. Wallace)Progressive (H. Wallace) 19481948 2.42.4 00 Received 0.2% of voteReceived 0.2% of vote

American IndependentAmerican Independent 19681968 13.513.5 4646 Received 1.4% of voteReceived 1.4% of vote

John B. AndersonJohn B. Anderson 19801980 7.17.1 00 Did not run in 1984Did not run in 1984

H. Ross PerotH. Ross Perot 19921992 18.918.9 00 Received 8% of voteReceived 8% of vote

Ralph NaderRalph Nader 20002000 2.72.7 00 Received 0.4% of voteReceived 0.4% of vote

Barriers to EntryBarriers to Entry Winner-take-all Winner-take-all

electionselections Ballot accessBallot access FundraisingFundraising Media attentionMedia attention Presidential debate Presidential debate

participationparticipationNADER ENTERS RACE, REJECTING LABEL OF POTENTIAL ‘SPOILER’

WASHINGTON--Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, widely blamed by Demcrats for siphoning votes from Al Gore in 2000 and thereby helping George W. Bush win the White House, announced yesterday that he will run for president again this fall.

The Boston Globe, Febuary 25, 2008

Access to Presidential Access to Presidential DebatesDebates

1.1. Evidence of Constitutional eligibilityEvidence of Constitutional eligibility Must be at 35 years of age;Must be at 35 years of age; Must be natural born citizen, and a resident of the U.S. Must be natural born citizen, and a resident of the U.S.

for at least 14 years;for at least 14 years; Must be otherwise eligible under the Constitution;Must be otherwise eligible under the Constitution;

2.2. Evidence of ballot accessEvidence of ballot access The candidate must qualify to have his/her name appear The candidate must qualify to have his/her name appear

on enough state ballots to have at least a mathematical on enough state ballots to have at least a mathematical chance of securing an Electoral College majority;chance of securing an Electoral College majority;

3.3. Indicators of Electoral supportIndicators of Electoral support The candidate must have a level or support of at least The candidate must have a level or support of at least

15% of the national electorate as determined by five 15% of the national electorate as determined by five selected national public opinion polling organizations;selected national public opinion polling organizations;

The Commission on Presidential Debates selects The Commission on Presidential Debates selects candidates on the basis of the following criteria:candidates on the basis of the following criteria:Is this fair to third party and

Independent candidates? Do we set the bar too high?

The “Spoiler” EffectThe “Spoiler” Effect

Which Third Party?Which Third Party?

Centrist issues:Centrist issues: budget deficits, political budget deficits, political reformreform

Leftist issues:Leftist issues: Universal health care, Universal health care, global warmingglobal warming

Rightist issues:Rightist issues: Immigration, social Immigration, social conservatism, taxes and spendingconservatism, taxes and spending

Ryan Lizza asks: “Why hasn’t there been a serious attempt to start a third party since Perot?”