Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Wilson Chapter 7Wilson Chapter 7

Parties and the ConstitutionParties and the Constitution

Where do political parties fit in Where do political parties fit in the Constitution?the Constitution?

A Article IA Article I

B Article IIB Article II

C Article IIIC Article III

D The 12D The 12thth Amendment Amendment

E NowhereE Nowhere

Parties and the ConstitutionParties and the Constitution

What did the founders hope for?What did the founders hope for?

Washington: Avoid the “mischief Washington: Avoid the “mischief of faction”of faction”

Parties and the ConstitutionParties and the ConstitutionWashington: Avoid the “mischief of Washington: Avoid the “mischief of

faction”faction”

200+ years later we know:200+ years later we know:

Without strong political parties, no Without strong political parties, no democracy has any chance of democracy has any chance of surviving. None!surviving. None!

Shall we forgive Washington for being wrong?Shall we forgive Washington for being wrong?

Functions of parties:Functions of parties:

Organize competition: Organize competition: – Nominate candidates Nominate candidates

Party conventionsParty conventions

CaucusesCaucuses

Direct primaryDirect primary

– Narrow the choicesNarrow the choicescreate meaningful alternativescreate meaningful alternatives

Functions of parties: Functions of parties:

Unify electorateUnify electorate– Create preexisting groups of voters who Create preexisting groups of voters who

share perspectivesshare perspectives– They can act togetherThey can act together– They can pursue common goals through They can pursue common goals through

their partytheir party

Functions of parties:Functions of parties:

Fund Candidates?Fund Candidates?– Old style: Donations to parties funneled Old style: Donations to parties funneled

to candidatesto candidates– Post 1972 reforms: Donations directly to Post 1972 reforms: Donations directly to

candidatescandidatesWeaken partiesWeaken parties

Strengthen special interests?Strengthen special interests?

2002, McCain-Feingold: More of the same?2002, McCain-Feingold: More of the same?

Functions of Parties:Functions of Parties:

Organize governmentOrganize government– Patronage? Patronage? – AppointmentsAppointments– Civil ServiceCivil Service

Spoils systemSpoils system

Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

Civil service exam system and civil service Civil service exam system and civil service protectionprotection

Functions of Parties:Functions of Parties:

Turn preferences into policyTurn preferences into policy– Party platformsParty platforms– Party agendasParty agendas– Policy approachesPolicy approaches

Functions of Parties:Functions of Parties:

Provide Loyal OppositionProvide Loyal Opposition– A group whose loyalty to the A group whose loyalty to the

Constitution and the overall system Constitution and the overall system is unquestioned, but who work to is unquestioned, but who work to oppose the specific policies of the oppose the specific policies of the current incumbent.current incumbent.

– Crucial to functioning democracyCrucial to functioning democracy

Functions of Parties:Functions of Parties:Provide Loyal OppositionProvide Loyal Opposition– When an incumbent attacks the loyal When an incumbent attacks the loyal

opposition’s loyalty, always suspect the opposition’s loyalty, always suspect the incumbent of a power grabincumbent of a power grab

““those who question this policy are those who question this policy are demonstrating disloyalty”demonstrating disloyalty”““our opponents on this matter are clearly our opponents on this matter are clearly un-American”un-American”““to question this policy is to embolden our to question this policy is to embolden our enemies; it is an act of disloyalty to our enemies; it is an act of disloyalty to our nation and our troops”nation and our troops”

If a leader or majority party makes any of these If a leader or majority party makes any of these claims, be afraid.claims, be afraid.

America’s Two-party systemAmerica’s Two-party system

Why 2 parties in the US?Why 2 parties in the US?– It’s Our Electoral System:It’s Our Electoral System:

Single member districts Single member districts

Plurality electionsPlurality elections

– Majority = 50% + 1 voteMajority = 50% + 1 vote– Plurality = the one with the most votes Plurality = the one with the most votes

winswins

Opinion DistributionOpinion Distribution

Super liberal

Super conservative

moderate

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Greens LibertariansRepublicansDemocrats

“TEA Party”

1992 Election1992 Election

Nader Ross PerotBush 41Clinton

42% 39% 19%0%

Voter Distribution

58% voted for a conservative

2000 Presidential Election2000 Presidential Election

Nader BuchananBush 43Gore2%

0%48.99991% 48.99999%

Florida Election Results

America’s Two-party systemAmerica’s Two-party system

Strengths of 2-party systemStrengths of 2-party systemStable governmentsStable governments

Clear choicesClear choices

Simple electionsSimple elections

Problems with 2-party systemProblems with 2-party systemFringe group opinions disregardedFringe group opinions disregarded

AlienationAlienation

Stagnation without “real” changeStagnation without “real” change

Alternative Election SystemsAlternative Election Systems

Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation

Runoff elections with Majority Runoff elections with Majority requirementrequirement

Instant runoffs??? (IRV)Instant runoffs??? (IRV)

– www.fairvote.org

Comparative PerspectiveComparative Perspective

American Political Parties in American Political Parties in Comparison: Comparison:

How different are they and why?How different are they and why?– WeakerWeaker

Funding and nomination systemsFunding and nomination systems

– Less disciplinedLess disciplinedFunding and nomination systemsFunding and nomination systems

– Decentralized and fragmentedDecentralized and fragmentedFederalismFederalism