Political Parties
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Political Parties AP Government What is a Political Party? • Organized group • Common interests Shape of Party Organizations • Every election district – Some kind of party unit • Each organization is unique to region – Politics and stances on issues • Political parties - permanent coalitions – Individuals with shared interests who support one another. Ideal Candidates • Unblemished record • Ability to raise enough money for serious run for office. – House seat – (Lotsa Money) several hundred thousand dollars. – Senate seat – (Lotsa and Lotsa Money) several million dollars. Nominating Candidates • Nomination – Process by which a party selects a candidate. – Nomination by Committee – Nomination by Convention – Nomination by Primary Election • Dominant method – Closed Primary – Open Primary – Blanket Primary Party Activists Drawn from the ranks of strong voters - contribute Time Energy Effort to party affairs (Ring doorbells, stuff envelopes, attend meetings, and contribute money to the party) Most Important functions of Political Party • Recruit candidates • Nominate candidates • Get out the vote • Influence & coordinate activities of the national government Electoral Politics Today • Recently, more focus on candidates. • Political parties today – Mainly composed of office seekers. Meaning of Party 8.1 Tasks of the Parties Parties, Voters, and Policy: The Downs Model Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Tasks of the Parties 8.1 Parties pick candidates Parties run campaigns Parties give cues to voters Parties articulate policies Parties coordinate policymaking Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Parties, Voters, and Policy: 8.1 The Downs Model Rational-choice theory Political scientist Anthony Downs’ model Most voters are moderate Center of political spectrum Parties seek voter loyalty Position themselves to left and right of center Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Theory of Party Competition • Anthony Downs – – Most voters tend to be moderates – Parties move to center to attract the “median voter.” – Ideological line blurs between parties • Little real difference between Democrats and Republicans. FIGURE 8.1 The Downs model: How 8.1 rational parties position themselves near (but not at) the center of public opinion continued on next slide Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved FIGURE 8.1 The Downs model: How 8.1 rational parties position themselves near (but not at) the center of public opinion Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved 8.1 8.1 How do parties maximize their appeal to voters? a. Position themselves near political center b. Lie about their opponents c. Stake out clear positions to the left or right d. Make party members sign loyalty oaths Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved 8.1 8.1 How do parties maximize their appeal to voters? a. Position themselves near political center b. Lie about their opponents c. Stake out clear positions to the left or right d. Make party members sign loyalty oaths Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Aspects of Political Parties V.O. Key Political Parties Political scientist V.O. Key Three key aspects of political parties: • Party-in-the-electorate • Party-as-organization • Party-in-government The Party in the Electorate 8.2 Party membership is psychological Citizens think they know what parties stand for Choose parties based on affinity with personal preferences More Americans identify as independents Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved FIGURE 8.2 Party identification in the 8.2 United States, 1952–2012 Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Electorate (People) - Trends • Cuban Americans - Republicans. • Growing percentage of Hispanic & young voters • Men and women - “Gender Gap” – Young single women • Catholics – Once staunch Democrats – Shifted to Republicans (Abortion?) • Relatively affluent individuals – Republican – Work in public sector (foundations and universities) • vote Democrat Coalitions in Politics 8.2 8.2 More Americans are identifying as Independents, especially a. People over 65 b. Minorities c. Young people d. Less-educated citizens Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved 8.2 8.2 More Americans are identifying as Independents, especially a. People over 65 b. Minorities c. Young people d. Less-educated citizens Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved The Party as an Organization • Formal party organizations & processes • National office • Full time staff • Rules, bylaws • Budget • State and local headquarters. • Includes precinct leaders • Work Independently from national office • Keep party going between elections • Assist and direct candidates seeking to win office in elections. The Party Organization: From 8.3 the Grass Roots to Washington Local Parties The 50 State Party Systems The National Party Organizations Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Local Parties 8.3 Once main party organization Party machines Rewarded voters New York and Chicago Patronage Jobs for voters and contributors Progressive reforms ended this system Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved The 50 State Party Systems 8.3 No two exactly alike Some well-funded, some weak Permanent headquarters Provide technical services Open or closed primaries Straight-ticket voting Single column or random list of candidates Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved The National Party 8.3 Organizations National convention Meets every four years Writes party platform Formal nomination of candidates National committee Operates between conventions Led by national chairperson Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved 8.3 8.3 What are the functions of the party’s national convention? a. Write party platform b. Nominate candidate for president c. Meet every four years to revise rules d. All of the above Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved 8.3 8.3 What are the functions of the party’s national convention? a. Write party platform b. Nominate candidate for president c. Meet every four years to revise rules d. All of the above Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Party-as-organization declined in 20th Century. • Parties lost control over nomination of candidates – “Direct primary” • Control of nominations to voters – Closed, Open, Blanket Party-in-government Ability of parties to structure and control government The Party in Government: 8.4 Promises and Policy Party in power determines policy Coalitions support parties Most presidents fail to implement campaign promises Party platforms are blueprints Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Partisanship in Congress • Since 1980s • Party politicians more likely to view themselves as part of party “team” The “Big Tent” • Both major parties • Different coalitions exist within each party • Compete for attention/influence • Tea Party, Libertarian, Working Families • Designed to attract independent-minded voters Party Appeal • Democrats – Organized labor – The poor – Members of racial minorities – Liberal upper-middle class professionals • Republicans – Business – Upper middle and upper class groups of the private sector – Social conservatives 8.4 8.4 Which of the following is a campaign promise kept by President Reagan? a. Increase social welfare spending b. Increase defense spending c. Increase the federal deficit d. Increase funding for education Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved 8.4 8.4 Which of the following is a campaign promise kept by President Reagan? a. Increase social welfare spending b. Increase defense spending c. Increase the federal deficit d. Increase funding for education Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved History of Political Parties AP Government Party Eras in American History 8.5 1796–1824: The First Party System 1828–1856: Jackson and Democrats Versus the Whigs 1860–1928: The Two Republican Eras 1932–1964: The New Deal Coalition 1968–Present: Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party Government Copyright © 2016, 2014, 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Party Development in Early America Political parties – Unanticipated or wanted by Framers • Framers (Hamilton, Washington, and Jefferson) – Parties are divisive & detrimental to republican government • Deep Political Divisions – Hamilton and Jefferson form 1st American political parties The Two-Party System U.S. - Two-party system Andrew Jackson ran for president in 1828, his opponents tried to label him First emerged - late 18th century a "jackass" for his populist views and his slogans. Thomas Nast, a famous political cartoonist in1870 used it and Conflict between it stuck. Democrats say represents humble, homely, smart, courageous Federalists (Alexander Hamilton) and loveable & Democratic- Republicans (Thomas Jefferson and James Madison) The imagination of cartoonist Thomas Nast. First appeared in Harper's Weekly on November 7, 1874. Republicans think represents dignified, strong