Download American Political Parties

Our Two-Party System
History and Functions
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Identify the
purpose of Political
Parties
Explain the origins
of the 2-Party
System in the US
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Explain the
organization of
political parties
Identify the various
types of 3rd Parties
Explain
realignment/dealig
nment
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Definition
◦ Group that seeks to
elect candidates to
public office by
supplying them with
a label by which they
are known to the
electorate. (AKA Party
Identification)
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Parties are present
in 3 Arenas
◦ Label
◦ Organization(recruit,
campaign)
◦ Leadership/Control
of Government
◦ *** Parties have lost
power in all three
arenas
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Federalism
decentralizes
power..how?
National parties
used to be a
coalition of local
parties.
Now Parties
organize at all
levels
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****All politics are
local********
Candidates are
chosen through
primaries not by
party leaders
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Disliked by
Washington/
Needed by others
to distinguish
between policy
disputes and
challenges to a
legitimate gov’t
EX Jefferson and
Alien Sedition Acts
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Jefferson vs.
Hamilton/Adams
Caucuses of
political nobles
Philosophical
clubs/not mass
associations
Early domination by
Democratic/Republi
cans
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Parties were formed
as coalitions for
victory not
homogeneous
groups. Today?
1820’s mass
participation begins
1832 – presidential
electors are chosen
by popular vote in
most states
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1836 Democrats
Hold first National
Convention to
Nominate their
Presidential
Candidate.
Civil War to Great
Depression
Politics based on
Sectionalism
Factions emerge
(Progressives)
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Progressives worked
to curb the power of
political machines
Favored primaries
Voter registration
requirements
become strict
Civil Service Exam
Intro of
referendums/initiativ
es.
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17th Amendment
Effects
◦ Eliminated the worst
forms of political
corruption
◦ Weakened Parties
◦ How?
◦ Office Holders
Accountable to people
not parties as much
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Both parties are
similar on paper
National
Convention and
Formal Power
◦ Meets every 4 years
to nominate
presidential
candidates
◦ Composed of
Delegates from
states
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Congressional
Campaign
Committees
support the party’s
candidates
National Party Chair
manages day to day
work of the Party
www.dnc.org
www.gop.org
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RNC
More bureaucratic
Discipline
Well-financed party
Especially in
Congressional
Elections
Computer
Fundraising / Data
Bases
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DNC
Factionalized
Redistribution of
power
McGovern Reforms
◦ Women
◦ Youth
◦ Minorities
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National committee
sets the time and
place
# of delegates per
states (GOP loyalty,
Dems size)
GOP gives more
delegate to the
South and
Southwest
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Democrats give
more delegates to
the West and
Northeast.
The Party in Power
(executive branch)
goes last.
Post Convention
bump
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Any party other than the two
major parties can be called a
“Third party.”
No third party has ever gained
control of the White House.
Sometimes, third parties win
seats in Congress or gain office
in lower levels of government.
When these smaller groups
challenge the two major parties,
they can change the outcome of
elections.
Their most important role is to
influence policy on one or more
issues.
Ralph Nader,
Green Party
Candidate, 2000
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An ideology is a body of ideas put forth
by a person or group.
Minor third parties are often formed to
support a specific issue. These rise and
fall over time.
Ideological parties want to change
society in major ways.
The Socialist and Communist Parties
want to nationalize major industries. The
Green Party calls for companies to
respect the environment.
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Some third parties form
from the efforts of famous
people.
If they cannot gain support
from one of the major
parties, they form their
own.
H. Ross Perot’s Reform
Party was a force in the
1992 and 1996 elections.
This party also placed pro
wrestler Jesse Ventura in
the governor’s mansion in
Minnesota.
These parties usually fade
after their candidate is
defeated.
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It is difficult for third parties candidates to
raise enough money to compete with the
major parties.
Only one candidate can win in a given
district. Usually the winner is either
Democratic or Republican.
Third-party candidates must show they
have support by getting voter signatures to
even be placed on the ballot for national
office.
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A platform is a
statement that puts
forth the party's positions
on issues. Each individual
issue is called a plank.
Both parties want votes.
As a result, parties become
more moderate in their
platforms, moving away from
extreme positions.
The American people
generally
agree about many issues.
This unity forces the two
parties toward the center of
the political spectrum.
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Ideological
Solidary groups
Sponsored Parties
Personal
Following-name
recognition
◦ Kennedys/Bushs
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Rare today
Why in America?
1) Electoral
System/winner
take all and
plurality system
2) Moderate
opinions
3) Election Laws
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What is it?
When major shifts in
the population
SWITCH parties
Examples?
Jackson Era
Civil War
(Sectionalism)
New Deal
Post Civil Rights Era
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What is it?
Why?
Voters are moving
away from both
parties/call
themselves
Independent
Benefits of party
membership?