The Democrats & The Republicans MembershipIdentification Membership is voluntary, based on party identification No dues Most states require citizens to identify a political party that shares their views on issues or role of govt However, large number of Americans choose not to join a party, registering as independents Factors that influence party identification: Ideology Education Income Occupation Race or ethnicity Gender Religion Family tradition Region of the country Marital status Similarities: Neither questions validity of capitalist economic system Tend to be centrist Build bases of support on coalitions Party platforms can affect voter support Republicans tend to be More likely to Spend on defense Use vouchers for private schools Give government aid to parochial schools Grant tax relief to everyone, including the wealthy and corporations Less likely to Spend money on social-welfare programs Government-run health programs Regulate firearms Democrats tend to be Less likely to Spend on defense Use vouchers, or other public funds to let students attend private schools More likely to Spend money to advance social-welfare programs Use government money for public education Spend money on government run health programs Grant tax relief to targeted groups such as the lower and middle classes Against Private ownership of assault weapons Broader regulations on ownership of firearms Republican CoalitionDemocratic Coalition Disaffected conservative Bluedog Democrats Veterans groups Religious conservatives Pro-lifers Opponents of gay rights Missile-defense supporters Opponents of affirmative action Cuban Americans Supports of development of natural resources on public lands Disaffected moderate Republicans Pro-choicers African Americans Labor unions Intellectuals People with lower incomes City dwellers Non-Cuban Latinos Feminists Jewish people environmentalists Occurs when coalitions making up the 2 parties fall apart Are very rare & usually occur after a major traumatic event (economic depression, war) Signaled by a critical election when new party comes to dominate politics Last one occurred in 1932 Occur over time, are a show of permanence Trend today Usually result of party members becoming disaffected as a result of a policy position taken by the party Disaffected voters Usually dont join a party Vote for the candidate rather than the party he/she belongs to Since the 1960s Democratic Party Membership has declined But has increased again since 2006 mid-term elections, Obamas presidency Self-identified independents has increased Republican Party membership has remained constant Today: The 2 parties are nearly equal in membership Poll taken in 2006 asked people to classify themselves as liberal, moderate, or conservative Plurality considered themselves moderate, about 1/3 considered themselves conservative Responses when asked what it meant to be Liberal Accepting change Supporting programs that increase spending Favoring social programs Believing in rights of all people Conservative Resistant to change Thrifty Traditional Narrow-minded Future is uncertain recent decades they have been in decline Third-party challenges have taken votes from major candidates, lessening their ability to win a majority Loss of support by party loyalists increase in number of independent voters Increase in split-ticket voting more voters are splitting their vote among candidates from more than 1 party Lack of perceived differences between the parties voters often believe there are no major differences in the parties or their candidates Party reforms changes w/in parties themselves to create greater diversity & openness have allowed for greater conflict w/in some parties Methods of campaigning new technologies allow candidates to become more independent of parties & more directly involved w/ the voters