Chapter 8: Political PartiesChapter 8: Political Parties

What Is a Political Party?

• A group of political activists who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy.

• How are parties different from interest groups?

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Ralph E. Becker Collection /Smithsonian Institution

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Political Parties vs. Interest Groups

Political Parties• Run government• Select candidates• Multiple issues

(party platform)

Interest Groups• Influence government• Support candidates• Often a single issue

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The Three Components of Political Parties

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Functions of Political Parties

• Recruit candidates to run for elective offices at all levels of government

• Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections

• Bear the responsibility of operating government at all levels

• Provide organized opposition to the party in power5Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Where the Voters Are

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History of Political Parties

• The Formative Years: Federalists/Anti-Federalists (1789-1816)

• The Era of Good Feelings (1816-1828)

• National Two-Party Rule: Whigs and Democrats (1828-1860)

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© The Granger Collection, New York

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The Golden Age of Parties

• The Civil War Crisis

• The Post-Civil War Period (1865-1896)• “Rum, Romanism,

and Rebellion”• The Triumph of the

Republicans8

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute, neg #98-4290

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History of Political Parties

• The Progressive Interlude (1896-1932)

• The New Deal Era (1932-1968)

• An Era of Divided Government (modern period)• After 1968, the general pattern was often a

Republican president and a Democratic Congress• 2000 Presidential Election (Red vs. Blue States)• Parties in relative balance 9Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Election 1896

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Election 2004

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Election 2008

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The Two Major Parties Today

• The parties’ core constituents

• Economic beliefs• Recent economic convergence?

• Cultural politics• Democrats have the reputation of

supporting the less-well-off, Republicans the prosperous

• Regional factors

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Income and Party Identification

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Republican and Democratic Issues

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The Three Faces of a Party

1. The people who identify with the party or who regularly vote for the candidates of the party in general elections

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Three Faces of a Party (cont)

2. Party Organization

• National• Convention delegates• National Committee• National Chairperson• State party organization• Local (grassroots) organization

• Patronage and city machines• Local party organizations

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2008 National Conventions

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Three Faces of a Party (cont)

3. The Party in Government

• Divided Government

• The Limits of Party Unity

• Party Polarization

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© Andy Levin/Photo Researchers, Inc.

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Ethnic Politics and the Campaign for the White House

This report discusses the importance of the Hispanic vote during the 2008 presidential election.Airdate: 7/13/2008

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Click the icon to open the movieVideo Supplied by Motion Gallery

Video Questions

1. What concerns might Hispanic voters have that other voting blocks do not share?

2. Why is there a historic rivalry between Hispanics and blacks in some states?

3. What was Bush’s appeal to Hispanic voters in the 2004 election?

4. Which party is most likely to appeal to Hispanic voters in the next election?

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Why Has the Two Party System Endured? • Duality

• Political socialization and practical considerations

• The Winner-Take-All Electoral System• Presidential Voting• Popular Election of the Governors and President• Proportional Representation

• State and Federal Laws Favor the Two Parties• Ruling parties work to remain in control• No party organization to join as independents

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The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics

• Ideological Third Parties• Green Party

• Splinter Parties

• The Impact of Minor Parties• Influencing the Major Parties• Affecting the Outcome of an Election

• Spoiler in 2000 Elections? 24Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning

Policies of Selected American

Third Parties Since 1864

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Mechanisms of Political Change

• Realignment (occurs about every 32-36 years)• Civil War era

• 1890s

• Great Depression

• Nixon’s victory in 1972 seemed to be a realignment, but Watergate changed this

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Mechanisms of Political Change (cont)

• Minor realignments• 1980s conservative movement

• Shift of white southerners to Republican party• Northern blue-collar workers to Republican party• Many professionals turn to Democratic party• Religious cleavage

• Makes Republican party more conservative, Democrats more liberal: but neither party dominates

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Mechanisms of Political Change (cont)

• Dealignment: A major drop-off in support for the parties.• Independent Voters• Not-So-Independent Voters

• Tipping (demographically-based change)• Often due to immigration

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Party Identification: 1937–Present

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A New Direction in 2008

• 2008 Elections bring change• Democrats regain political momentum

• Control White House AND Congress• Obama wins five key Republican states

• Growing political divide between Democratic and Republican agendas

• Political Maneuvering = Less Responsive Government

• 2010 Elections indicate a new direction?

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Questions for Critical Thinking

1. Do democratic governments need political parties? If a democratic government has political parties, will the structure always be a two-party system?

2. What factors impact how many political parties will exist?

3. Is party identification a major factor for voters in presidential elections?

4. Do political parties make government more responsive?

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Questions for Critical Thinking

5. Why is it difficult for independent candidates or minor party candidates to get elected to Congress?

6. What inferences can be made about the voting population through the closely divided elections of 2000 and 2004?

7. Between 2008 and 2010, how did the interests and mood of voters change?

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Web Links

• The White House• GOP.com• The Democratic Party • National Republican Senatorial Committee• Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee • The National Republican Congressional

Committee

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Web Links

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee • GOP.gov• Townhall.com• National Political Index• The Greens/Green Party USA

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