Linkage Institutions

Unit 3, Video 1Political Parties

Linkage Institutions

• Connect people to the government

• Political parties• Elections• Interest groups• Media

Political party

• Organization that seeks political power by electing members to office– Purpose:• Gain power; influence public policy

Political PartiesAmerica vs. Europe

• Decentralized—State and local • Primaries—Choose candidates, not party

leaders• Weaker—Less voters identify with a party

Political Machines

• Recruit voters by offering tangible benefits

• Operate at state and local levels

Political Machines• Patronage—Give government jobs, $, and

political favors to party members• Strong leadership over members• Values winning above all else

Candidate-centered politics

• Focus on candidates as individuals, rather than party identification