Political Parties Wilson Chapter 7. Parties and the Constitution Where do political parties fit in...
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Transcript of Political Parties Wilson Chapter 7. Parties and the Constitution Where do political parties fit in...
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