Political Parties

Introduction

to Chapter 9

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Political Parties Political parties are groups with broad

common interests that seek to elect candidates to offices to influence the government.

Supply candidates labels to help the electorate identify.

Our political parties have become decentralized like our government.

Arenas of Politics for Parties Label

In the minds of voters—weakeningMore split –ticket voting

Organization Recruiting and campaigning for

candidates—parties have weakened Set of leaders

Organize and try to control the legislative and executive branches

US Parties v. Parties Abroad•Candidate names w/ labels

•Individuals choose to run

•Campaigns run by the candidate

•States & localities make decisions about elections

•Voters choose party’s nominees in primaries

•Exec. & Legis. Branches are separate

•People do not “join” parties

•Social & political lives rarely overlap

•Try to win to influence government

•Provide a label to assist voters

•Help recruit candidates to run

•Loyalty to parties has decreased everywhere

•Labels more important than candidates names

•Parties nominate their candidates for office-No primaries

•Campaigns run by the party

•Most election decisions made at the national level

•Legis. Controls who chief executive will be

•Join parties by paying dues & attending meetings

•Parties sponsor unions, clubs & social activities

Chart Summary European parties are disciplined

gatekeepers.Voters are very loyal, but is declining

US Federal system decentralizes power.Early on, government decisions were made

at state and local levels & held most jobsNational parties were coalitions of local

partiesAs political power became centralized,

parties decentralized & weakened

Chart Summary State and federal election laws

weakened parties. Candidates chosen today mainly

through primaries-not by parties. President elected separately from

Congress. Presidential appointees are drawn

from many sources.

American Political Culture Parties relatively unimportant in day-to-

day life. Most Americans do not “join” parties

like Europeans—simply vote.Dues, attend meetings, control unions, etc.

Americans separate political parties from other aspects of life.Most parts nonpartisan, growing number

of independents

The Rise & Decline of Political Parties

The Founding (to 1820’s) Founders disliked parties-factions For parties to be acceptable,

distinction between policy disputes and challenges to the legitimacy of government had to be made.

The Founding (to 1820’s) What’s in a name? Discuss letters and

Washington’s farewell addressJefferson’s Democratic RepublicansHamilton’s Federalists

What were the results of the rivalry?ElectionsSpeechesSuccessorsFew homogeneous interests,

heterogeneous coalitions

Jefferson versus Hamilton What are the major differences between the 2

visions? Whose vision for America was best during the

Washington administration & why? How do the views of each man line up with today’s

political parties? Which side’s view is best for our country today?

Why? How did GW feel about the rivalry?

The Jacksonians (to Civil War) Political participation became a

phenomenon. More voters to be reached.

More voters enfranchised By 1832, pres. Electors selected by popular vote

in most states. Party built from the bottom, up. Abandonment of party caucuses composed

of Congress members Beginning of party convention, allowing local

control

The Civil War & Sectionalism (1860-1930’s) Jacksonian system unable to

survive civil war Why did the new Republican Party

dominate?Began as 3rd partyRelied on Union pride during warWJ Bryan’s creation of sectionalism

North Republican, South Democrat

The Civil War & Sectionalism (1860-1930’s) Most states were dominated by

one partyFactions emerged in each party

Republicans “Old Guard” (party people) versus “mugwumps” (reformers, issues)

Progressives often shifted loyalty initially, but then attacked Republican partisanship

The Era of Reform Progressives pushed measures to curtail

party power and influence.Primaries over party conventionsMore nonpartisan elections locally & some

statewideNo party-business alliances due to corruptionStrict voter registration requirements to

reduce fraudCivil service to replace patronageAllow initiatives and referendums for voters

The Era of Reform Effects of the Progressives

Reduced the worst forms of political corruption

Weakened all political parties Office holders less accountable to

parties Less coordination across the branches

Reduced voter turnoutSucceeded in using media to

promote ideas

Party Realignments

Critical or realigning periods: Periods during which a sharp, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties. Issues that separate the two parties change, and so the kinds of voters that support each party change.

Party Realignments There have been 6 distinct realignments

so far in US history:Early 1800s: Jeffersonian “Republicans” defeated

the Federalists1828 Antebellum: Rise of Jacksonian DemocratsCivil War/Reconstruction: The collapse of the

Whigs, Rise of the Republicans1896: The Republicans defeat of WJ Bryan1932: The Democrats under FDR1968: Social Movements & Southern Shift begins

What are the kinds of realignments?

Disappearance of a major partyExamples: 1800, 1860

Voters shift from one party to anotherExamples: 1896, 1932, 1968-present

The clearest cases of realignment are over social and economic issues…1860, 1896, 1932

Party DeclineWhat is the proof that parties

are declining?Party id declining-More independen

tsMore split ticket votingOffice Bloc BallotingNon-Partisan Elections: Exs?

Read pp. 212-225 in Chapter 9 For the sections on National, state & local

parties (pp.212-220), Take down vocabulary but focus on structure of the parties.

For the sections on 2-party system & minor parties (pp. 220-225) focus on the “workings” of each in our electoral system.

Complete the CT packet on alternative voting systems.