Political PartiesPolitical Parties

What is the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats?

Why are political parties important in a democracy?

Presidential election ResultsPresidential election Results

Political SocializationPolitical Socialization Source of political beliefs and attitudes

Family and the Social Environment Education Peers Leaders’ Influence Media Political events

Example:– The Great Depression – 60’s and the Vietnam War Era

What are political parties? What are political parties?

Definition Political party is an

organization that seeks to attain political power within a government

Usually by participating in electoral campaigns.

Parties often support a certain ideology

Subgroups interests are integrated

Institutional Constraints on Political Parties

Institutional Constraints on Political Parties

Structure and Strength of Parties: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Presidential or Parliamentary System Laws and Constitution

Theory: Lipset and RokkanTheory: Lipset and Rokkan

Theory on Political Cleavages Parties that were formed in the aftermath of political,

religious, and economic revolutions are frozen. State vs. Church Worker vs. Owner Land vs. Industry Center vs. Periphery (Fed vs. State)

These have and will continue to exist in the political arena despite new issues and challenges.

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

Says nothing about political parties. Why?

Founding fathers felt parties were wicked and corrupt.

Did not want parties to control politics.

Did not want to pervade the entire country and create factions.

Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology

Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology

Republican Party (GOP)- Considered the more

socially conservative and economically neoliberal.

Laissez-Faire Economics Party Chairman- Ken

Mehlman Democratic Party-

Considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist.

Party Chairman- Howard Dean

US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)

US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)

American Revolution

Federalist•Founded by Hamilton

•Supported strong central government•Commercial interest: merchants and large planters

Anti federalist•Founded by Jefferson

•Supported more state autonomy•Also known as the Republicans

Jackson split into a Democratic party

Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs

Hamiltonian vision for modernizing the United States

Era of Good Feelings (1817-1825)Era of Good Feelings (1817-1825)

One Party Dominance (the Republicans) Federalist virtually collapsed in 1816 1817-1825 no real competition Republicans opposed big government

US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

Prelude to Civil War

Democrats•Strong state govt

•Opportunities for common man •Hostile to blacks

•Needed slavery for economy

Whig party (National Republicans )•Active federal. govt,

• Laissez-Faire economics •Against the expansion of slavery

•

Southern Whigs ceased to exist (dealigned)

Northern Whigs realigned, and united with antislavery Democratsand radical antislavery Free Soil party thus creating Lincoln’s

Republicans party

US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)

US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)

Post Civil War

Democrats•Feared strong central govt

•Did not want to give free slaves rights•Dominated the white south for decades

Republicans•Sought to increase the power of the federal govt

•Promoted economic growth and businesses•Promoted evangelical protestant morals and values

•Public schools w/ protestant curriculum•Inflation in check to maintain working class wages

•Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol

Democrats embraced populism. Advocated for small farmersSought high inflation for debt relief.

US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)

US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)

Industrial Revolution

Democrats •Traditional small govt. policy was realigned and opened

to govt. intervention in the economy•Wilson was able to win presidency because the Republican

split

Republicans•Honest Impartial Govt could regulate the economy

more effectively

1912 split : T. Roosevelt ran on the Bull Moose TicketThe platform based non progressive ideals. Protect women, children, and

immigrants. Reform corrupt govt, and give people more voice.

US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System

US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System

Great Depression and New Deal

RepublicansLaissez Faire

State govt and private organizationsTo ease the suffering

Democrats United whites and blacks

Both sought relief from hardshipsStrong federal govt

60’sDemocrats split from economic and social Conservatives in south into republican base

60’ssocial progressives African Americans

remained Democrats

Function of Political Parties

Function of Political Parties

To mobilize the public in an organization Organize and run elections Recruit Candidates (strategy: TO WIN) Presenting alternative policies Accepting responsibility for the operation

of govt. (advocating party agenda) Acting as opposition to party in power

Soft Money Raised by Parties, 1993-2002

Soft Money Raised by Parties, 1993-2002

Parties: Party Structure Parties: Party Structure National Level

Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee

State level Governor controls State Conventions State party chairperson Party Boss

Local Level (Grassroots) County Committee County Chairperson District Leaders Precinct or ward captains Party Workers

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

Primary ElectionsPrimary Elections

Candidates official nomination process All parties will select their candidate for the general

election Presidential or gubernatorial candidates First Tuesday in the month of June before the general

election in November Front-Loading:

State determines the date for its primary or caucus Early primaries are more influential

– States compete to schedule their primaries as early as possible

– New Hampshire (first presidential primary)– Iowa (first caucus)

Parties in ActionParties in Action

Meetings Quadrennial Nominate presidential

candidate Reveals party platform Introduces new and upcoming

stars Establishes party momentum

Government Provides funding for

candidates Whips legislators

Finances Fund raising

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

Accountability to the VotersAccountability to the Voters

Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

Viable third parties

Role of the CitizenRole of the Citizen

QuizQuiz

Why are political parties important in to fulfilling democracy?