Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Presidential election ResultsPresidential election Results

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, but may also represent a subgroups that have different interests.

Impact of Institutions on Party Structure.

Impact of Institutions on Party Structure.

One party, Two party, or Multiparty System Contingent on: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Constitutions Grand Coalition

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.

Major US Political PartiesMajor US Political Parties

Republican Party- 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

FederalistFounded by Hamilton

Supported strong central government

AntifederalistFounded by Jefferson

Supported more state autonomyLatter became the Republicans

US Parties:Second Party System (1824–1854)

US Parties:Second Party System (1824–1854)

Tensions rises in the union over tariffs and slavery

DemocratsStrong state govt

opportunities for common man such as farmers hostile to blacks

National Republicans (Whig party)active federal. govt,

economic Lassize Faire antislavery,

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

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

Civil War

Northern DemocratsFeared strong govt

CatholicsAdvocated for small farmersNeeded slavery for economy

Sought high inflation

RepublicansSought to increase the power of the federal govt.

Promoted economic growth and businessesAgainst the expansion of slavery

Promoted evangelical protestant morals and valuesLimited/prohibited the sale of alcohol

Public schools w/ protestant curriculumInflation in check to maintain working class wages

History of US Political PartiesHistory of US Political Parties

First Party System (before 1824) Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist (Republicans) The Federalists formed by Hamilton The Anti-Federalist formed by Jefferson

Second Party System (1824–1854) Rising levels of voter interest and a high degree

of personal loyalty to party. Major parties:

Democratic party-liberties, opportunities for common man, hostile to blacks

National Republicans (Whig party)- antislavery, active fed. govt, economic conservatives

History of US Political PartiesHistory of US Political Parties Third Party System: Post

Civil War (1854–1896) Northern Democrats

Feared strong govt Catholics Advocated for small

farmers Needed slavery for

economy Sought high inflation

History of US Political PartiesHistory of US Political Parties

Republicans Promoted economic growth and businesses Against the expansion of slavery Promoted evangelical protestant morals and

values Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol Public schools w/ protestant curriculum Inflation in check to maintain working class

wages

History of US Political PartiesHistory of US Political Parties

Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932) Conservative and

progressive Republicans split 1912

Bull-Moose Party Democrats realign under

radical policies. Govt involvement in the

economy

History of US Political PartiesHistory of US Political Parties

New Deal/Fifth Party System (1932–1964) New Deal Coalition united

both African Americans and whites that didn’t like blacks.

Both sought relief from the Great Depression

60’s Democrats split Republican block-

economic and social conservatives in the south

African Americans switched to the Democrats

Purpose of Political Parties

Purpose 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.

Parties: Party Structure Parties: Party Structure National Level

Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee

State level Governor controls State party chairperson Party Boss

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

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

Accountability to the VotersAccountability to the Voters

Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

Viable third parties

Role of the CitizenRole of the Citizen