UNIT 3 UNIT 3 U. S. Political SystemU. S. Political System

Chapter 8 – Political Parties

Linkage InstitutionsLinkage Institutions• A structure within a society that connects the

people to the government or centralized authority.

1. Elections

2. Political Parties

3. Interest Groups

4. Media

The Meaning of PartyThe Meaning of Party

Political Party:

A “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.” (Anthony Downs)

Parties can be thought of in three-headed political giant:

1. Party in the electorate (largest component)

2. Party as an organization

3. Party in government.

The Meaning of PartyThe Meaning of Party Roles of the Parties

– Linkage Institution: The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s political /policy agenda (list of subjects or problems to which people inside and outside government are paying serious attention to at any given time). Parties Pick Candidates

– Parties Run Campaigns– Parties Give Cues to Voters– Parties Articulate Policies– Parties Coordinate Policymaking

Figure 8.1

The Meaning of PartyThe Meaning of Party

Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model– Rational-choice theory: Assumes that individuals act in

their own best interest, weighing the costs & benefits.

The Party in the ElectorateThe Party in the ElectorateParty identification is a citizen’s self-

proclaimed preference for one party or the other.

Ticket-splitting:– Voting with one party for one office and with

another party for other offices.– Ticket-splitting has become the norm in

American voting behavior.

The Party Organizations: From The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washingtonthe Grass Roots to Washington

These are the people that work for the party. Local Parties

– Party Machines: A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern.

– Patronage: A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines.

– Now urban party organizations are generally weak.

The Party Organizations: From The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washingtonthe Grass Roots to Washington

The 50 State Party Systems– Closed primaries: voters must be registered with their

party in advance and can only vote for that party– Open primaries: voters decide on election day which

party to participate in, and then only that party– Blanket primaries: voters get a list of all candidates and

can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label

– State party organizations are on an upswing in terms of headquarters and budgets.

The Party Organizations: From The Party Organizations: From the Grass Roots to Washingtonthe Grass Roots to Washington

The National Party Organizations– National Convention: (Supreme Power)The

meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party’s platform.

– National Committee: One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions.

– National Chairperson: Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party.

The Party in Government: The Party in Government: Promises and PolicyPromises and Policy

These are the party members actually elected to government.

Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need help.

Coalition:– A group of individuals with a common interest upon

which every political party depends. Parties & politicians generally do what they say

they will do.

Party Eras inParty Eras inAmerican HistoryAmerican History

Party Eras (pp. 247-253)– Historical periods in which one party has been the

dominant majority party.

Critical Election– An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new

coalitions emerge.

Party Realignment– The displacement of the majority party by the minority

party, usually during a critical election.

Party Eras inParty Eras inAmerican HistoryAmerican History

1796-1824: The First Party System– Madison warned of “factions”– First party were the Federalists

1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs– Modern party founded by Jackson– Whigs formed mainly in opposition to

Democrats

Party Eras inParty Eras inAmerican HistoryAmerican History

1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras– Republicans rose as the antislavery party– 1896 election revolved around the gold

standard

1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition– Forged by the Democrats - relied upon urban

working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners

Party Eras in American HistoryParty Eras in American History

1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government– Party dealignment - disengagement of people

from parties– Party neutrality - people are indifferent towards

the two parties

Third Parties: Their Impact on Third Parties: Their Impact on American PoliticsAmerican Politics

Political parties other than Democrat or Republican

Rarely win elections Third parties bring new groups and ideas into

politics “Splinter groups”- offshoot of a major party Two-party system discourages extreme views; try

to stay moderate

Third Parties: Their Impact on Third Parties: Their Impact on American PoliticsAmerican Politics

Winner-take-all system:– Legislative seats awarded only to first place

finishers.Proportional Representation:

– Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party - more votes, more seats

Coalition Government:– Two or more parties join to run government

Individualism and GridlockIndividualism and Gridlock

Gridlock in policymaking is a consequence of allowing individualism.

This occurs when different parties control the executive and legislative branches.

No single party in the U.S. has firm control in government.

Understanding Political Understanding Political PartiesParties

Democracy and Responsible Party Government1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs.

2. Candidates are committed to the program.

3. Majority party must carry out its program.

4. Majority party must accept responsibility.

Understanding Political Understanding Political PartiesParties

American Political Parties and the Scope of Government– Lack of uniformity keeps government small– But, it also makes cutting government programs

harder to do

Understanding Political Understanding Political PartiesParties

Is the Party Over?– Political parties are no longer the chief source of

information for voters (i.e. media & interest groups)

– State and national party organizations are getting stronger

– Majority of people still identify with a party, but still split their tickets

– Parties will continue to be around