EN407-313

English for Political Scientists

Ven.Yota Payutto

Political Parties and ElectionsHow do the people impact whether or not public officials remain in office?

Learning Targets

I CAN: Identify what a political party is Identify existing party affiliations Describe characteristics of each party Explain the influence of political parties in campaigns

leading to elections Explain how parties can experience

advantages/disadvantages in elections Define general and primary elections Describe the difference between primary and general

elections Explain how some candidates can experience

advantages/disadvantages in elections Evaluate the activities of a political party in an election

Learning Targets cont’d

I CAN:

Identify the opportunities that people have in order to impact the jobs of public officials

Define appointments, Electoral College, recall, and impeachment

Describe the process for appointments, Electoral College, recall, and impeachment

Analyze scenarios in which these processes would be applied.

Terms to Know Appointments Electoral College Democrat Republican Independent Third Party Candidates Primaries Campaigns Nomination Incumbents

America’s Two Party System

Democrats (The Left) Follow a “Liberal” philosophy

Believe it is proper for the government to regulate and oversee the economy

Ex: insure minimum wage, require that people contribute to retirement savings

Do not believe the government should have a say in morality or social issues

Ex: no regulations on drug use, abortion practices, or marriages

America’s Two Party System

Republicans (the Right)

Follow a “Conservative” philosophy

Believe that the government should remain “small” in terms of the economy—not get involved

Ex: privatized Social Security, no minimum wage

Believe the government should regulate morality or social issues

Ex: punishment for drug use, laws over marriage practices

Critical Thinking

Based on what you have learned about America’s two dominant political parties, do you fit neatly into one group or the other? If you had to align yourself with one party or the other, which would you choose? Which types of issues would you disagree with that party about?

Other Political Ideologies

Libertarian

Generally agree with Republicans on economic issues

Generally agree with Democrats on social/morality issues

Bottom Line: Prefer a “small” government--one that does not get involved

Populist

Generally agree with Democrats on economic issues

Generally agree with Republicans on social/morality issues

Bottom Line: Prefer a “big” government—one that gets involved

Activity

Step 1: With a partner, make a list of 5-10 issues that affect the United States today.

Write down the viewpoint that you believe each of the four different political ideologies would have regarding each issue.

Example: Privatized Social Security

Liberals: Against

Conservatives: For

Libertarians: For

Populists: Against

What is a Political Party?

Political Party: a group of individuals outside of government who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy

Form an important link between the citizens and their government

The Three Dimensions of American Political Parties

The Party in the Electorate

Consists of all eligible voters who identify as Democrats or Republicans

No dues, membership cards, meeting attendance or registration necessary

The Party Organization

Group that make rules, raise money and organize conventions, and seek candidates for their party

The Party in Government

All party members that hold public office

Ex: President, Congressmen, Governors

What do Political Parties do?

Select Candidates

Nomination: a party’s endorsement for a candidate

Primary: a preliminary election to choose a party’s final candidate (nomination)

Inform the Public

Educate the public about important political issues by presenting its views through pamphlets, television, speeches, rallies etc.

Cont’d

Coordinate Policymaking

Party acts as the major institution by which the executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other

The President works with fellow party members in Congress to promote the party agenda

Run Campaigns

Party members work at getting other party members registered, conducting drives for new voters, staff the polling places etc.

Raise Money for Candidates

Major parties raise millions of dollars during each election cycle

Critical Thinking

What do you think is the most important role of the political party? Why?

Third Parties

Third Parties: believe that certain needs and values are not being met by the major parties

Most are short-lived

There have been several third parties throughout history but most fit into one of three categories

Issue-Oriented Parties

Ideological Parties

Splinter, or Personality Parties

Issue-Oriented Parties Formed to promote a particularly timely issue

Examples

Free Soil Party: formed before the Civil War to prevent slavery from expanding into Western territories

Prohibition Party: formed in 1869 to try to convince the government to ban the sale and manufacture of alcohol

Ideological Parties

Parties that support a particular set of beliefs or a particular political doctrine

Example: Socialist Workers

Party

Splinter, or Personality Parties

Develops due to a split with a major political party

Usually formed around a leader with a strong personality

Examples:

Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party

Henry Wallace’s Progressive Party

2008 Third Party Presidential Candidates

Which of the three types of third parties would these political parties fall under?

Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party

Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party

Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party

Primary Elections

Direct Primary: an election held within each party (and controlled by each state) to nominate candidates for the general election

Used by about 3/5 of U.S. states

Closed primary: only registered party members can vote to choose their party’s candidates

Open Primary: voters can vote for a party’s candidates regardless of whether they belong to that party

*United Streaming

Critical Thinking

Which do you think is more fair: an open primary or a closed primary? Why?

General Election

General Election: a regularly scheduled election in which voters choose who will hold public office

Held in even-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

In Presidential Elections, the Electoral College is used

*See electoral college ppt

Campaign-Financing Laws

Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) in 1971-Further amendments were made in 1974

Attempted to solve problems in the ways political campaigns were financed

Restricted the amount that could be spent on advertising

Requires contributions over $100 to be revealed to the public

Allowed government funding for primary and general elections

Prohibits

Donations directly from Corporations, Labor Unions, National Banks etc.

Cash Contributions over $100

PACs

PACs: Political Action Committees

Established by and represent the interests of

Corporations

Labor unions

Special interest groups

Raise money and give donations to campaigns on behalf of the group they represent

To be legitimate: must come from at least 50 volunteer donors and must be given to at least 5 candidates in the national elections

OpenSecrets.org: http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.php?party=R&cycle=2010

Why People Vote as They Do

Party Identification

Acts as a general guide to voter’s choices

Influenced by:

Family

Age

Peer groups

Becoming less and less prominent in predicting voter choices

Critical Thinking

Do you think you’re current party identification is most influenced by your family, peers or age? What do you think the average voter is most influenced by?

Candidates Image

Voters often base decisions on their impression of a candidate rather than his/her actual qualifications

Positive images in history:

Nixon: positive

Negative images in history:

Adlai Stevenson: too intellectual, out of touch

Barry Goldwater: too aggressive/warmongering

Policy Choices

Policy voting occurs when people vote for candidates who share their stand on issues

Usually economic issues have the greatest influence on voters decisions

If the economy is doing well, the incumbent is more difficult to defeat

Other important policy decisions include foreign-policy issues (War) and environmental issues

Socioeconomic Factors

Age

Younger=generally more liberal

Gender

Women=more likely than men to vote Democrat

Education

The more education received=more likely to vote

Occupation and Income

White collar workers=more likely to vote Republican

Blue collar workers=more likely to vote Democrat

Religion and Ethnic Background

African-Americans=more likely to vote Democrat

Geographic Region

Changes throughout history

Currently: South=more likely to vote Republican

New England=more likely to vote Democrat