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Political Party Basics Political Party Basics What is a political party? The basic divisions within a party include: 1. Party electorate- “rank-and-file” members 2. Organizational- activists 3. Governmental- leaders in public office Comparing political parties here and abroad U.S. (Big 2+3rd) Foreign Political Parties 1. More “independents” 1. Strong base easily than historical avg. mobilized 2. The national party runs the 2. Parties decentralized campaign not the (Federal, state, & local candidates levels) 3. Narrow focus on issue(s) 3. Broad range of issues 4. Candidates selected by that remain fluid to win party leaders elections 5. Proportional elections & 4. Public selects representation in legislature candidates through primaries/caucuses 5. Plurality elections What is the ultimate goal of a political party? To control government by winning elections Once in control the party can set policy What changes have occurred to alter the democratization of politics? 1. Expansion of the electorate + increase in party membership 2. Electoral College selection methods 3. Increased use of direct primaries and large party conventions Having a party: Structure, Role, & Functions of Political Parties Structure Decentralized and fragmented Little involvement between national, state, and local organizations (opposite that of Europe) OYO when it comes to agenda/issue setting and selecting political leaders Having a party: Structure, Role, & Functions of Political Parties Role Political parties help bridge the gap between citizens and the government Having a party: Structure, Role, & Functions of Political Parties Functions 1. Disseminate information to the masses 2. Mobilize voters to take action 3. Articulate positions on issues 4. Run political campaigns 5. Organize blocs of voters into a winning coalition Is the party over? Why is party affiliation decreasing? Voter dealignment 1. Significant increase in the “independent” voter More Americans claim to be moderate/independent rather than affiliate with Republicans or Democrats Increasing trend since the 1970s Reasons: 1. Growth of issue oriented politics v. party brand 2. Focus on candidate personalities TV trumps party loyalty 3. Loss of party credibility Increased distrust in government- Vietnam, Watergate, etc. 4. Perceived loss of connection to “everyday” citizens 5. Public trend to shed labels 2. Issue/candidate centered campaigns 3. Government performing services previously done by political parties Is the party over? Why is party affiliation decreasing? 4. Loss of control by party leadership Patronage to civil service system Caucus to direct primaries 5. Growth and expansion of population Too many diverse/conflicting interests 6. Multiple forms of communication TV emphasizes personalities over party platforms Ability to directly reach the voters 7. No way of enforcing party loyalty All of these factors increase likelihood of split-ticket voting No, the party is just getting started Two Party Perfection Reasons for two party strength: Historically provides strong competition Adapt & evolve to the political climate Unlike most European parties American parties frequently add new planks & alter party platforms to take on new issues in order to expand support No, the party is just getting started Plurality/Winner-take-all/single member districts electoral system vs. proportional representation or run-off elections 1992 Clinton victorious with 42% of popular vote Electoral College (Presidential race) 1992 Ross Perot earned 19% of popular vote yet no votes from the Electoral College American voting habits Tradition- if it ain’t broke don’t fix it mentality Ease- Us vs. them (not them, them, and them) Don’t care for extremes Differences between the Republican & Democratic Parties Party Platforms & Planks Republicans Democrats Platform Platform Less government Increased government intervention/regulation in society involvement in society & & economy economy Favor progressive income tax Lower taxes (especially for wealthy & corporations) More government programs to aid society Fewer government assistance Strong anti-discrimination programs, but more private laws are necessary community programs Pro-choice on abortion Oppose increased gun legislation Decrease military spending w/ Pro-life on abortion surplus revenue to be used Strong military for social programs Oppose same-sex marriage Favor same-sex marriage Republicans vs. Democrats Gender Males Females Republicans vs. Democrats Age Older Young *Seniors present the largest, most active voting bloc (past experiences form solid beliefs) Republicans vs. Democrats Ethnicity/Race Whites (split to slight lean) Whites (split) Virtually all minority groups *Hispanic vote now key swing group -Largest growing minority group -Socially conservative but immigration issue causing a rift w/ Republican Party Republicans vs. Democrats Religion Protestants (split) Protestants (split) Catholics (split) Catholics (split) Southern evangelicals Jews “Bible Belt” Secularists Republicans vs. Democrats Socioeconomic factors Wealthy Lower income Middle class (split to slight lean) Middle class (split) Republicans vs. Democrats Education More educated until Generally lower educational post-graduate degree attainment Advanced degrees Republicans vs. Democrats Geography Suburbs Urban centers Rural (split) Rural (split) Southern states (Sunbelt & Biblebelt) Northeast Midwest (split Rustbelt effect) Midwest (split Rustbelt effect) Great Plains West Coast Rocky Mt. Western Libertarians Blue states Red states Republicans vs. Democrats Geography Red States vs. Blue States Cartograms Republicans vs. Democrats Voting habits Republicans vs. Democrats Miscellaneous terms White collar Blue collar Wall Street/CEO boardroom types Union membership NASCAR dads Progressives Suburban “soccer moms” Farmers Environmentalists Equal rights groups- (same-sex, “Ignorant racist fascist knuckle-dragging racial/ethnic minority, etc.) NASCAR-obsessed cousin-marrying road- “Godless unpatriotic pierced-nose Volvo- kill-eating tobacco-juice-dribbling gun driving France-loving leftwing Communist fondling religious fanatic rednecks.” latte-sucking tofu-chomping holistic-wacko neurotic vegan weenie perverts.” Republicans vs. Democrats Dazed and confused: Republicans vs. Democrats Cross-pressure voting Wealthy, black, educated, female with a strong evangelical faith The after party: Third Parties in the American Political System Emergence of third parties usually surround an economic or social crisis Third Parties in the United States The after party: Third Parties in the American Political System Why have third parties lacked success on a broad scale? 1. Democrats or Republicans seize the issue • The “big two” have no set ideology only consistent goal is to secure enough votes to win elections 2. “Throwing your vote away” mentality • People decide to vote for the “lesser of two evils” once a typical single-issue party’s idea is adopted by the “big two” 3. Getting on the ballot • Need 5% of vote in last general election to be automatically placed on next ballot The after party: Third Parties in the American Political System 4. Fundraising challenge • “Throwing your money away” mentality • Difficulty in getting message out without money 5. Little media coverage • Little, if any, free media coverage- debates, news interviews, etc. • No money = no advertising 6. Plurality (winner-take-all) single member district system of elections instead of proportional representation.
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