Unit III: Political Parties, Interest Groups and Media

Chapter 8: Political Parties

What are political parties

POLITICAL PARTY: an organization that sponsors candidates for public office under the organizations name

THIS IS NOT AN INTEREST GROUP AS INTEREST GROUPS DO NOT NOMINATE CANDIDATES!!!

4 FUNCTIONS OF PP

1. Nominating Candidates

2. Structuring the Vote choice

3. Proposing alternative government programs

4. Coordinating the actions of government officials

How are parties organized?Pyramidal

National Level

State Level

Local Level

Organization

National Level has 4 components

1. National Convention (4 years)

- nominate POTUS/VP candidates

- party platform

- rules of governing

- designates national committee

Organization

2. National Committee- select date and place of convention- comprised of party officials and reps from

states- Chairman picked by Pres. Winner and

ok’d by committee (chairman of losing party picked by party members

RNC: Reince Preibus (WI)DNC: Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL)

Organization

3. Congressional Party Conference (or caucus)

- selection of party leader and committee assignments at the beginning of the Congressional term

Organization

4. Congressional campaign committees

- collect funds for candidates

http://www.opensecrets.org/parties/index.php?cmte=&cycle=2000

Past raising???

For 2012 POTUS candidates only

RNC: $78,547,627

DNC: $86,425,605

Organizational power-national

Up until the 1970s, national committees did not have much power

(congressional and state committee on own; do not direct POTUS campaigns)

RNC: focused on organizational reform- fundraising, research and service roles

DNC: focused on procedural reform- affirmative action guidelines for candidates(1972)

Organizational Power-state

Party Machine: a centralized party organization that dominates local politics by controlling elections- patronage/social service functions were decreased by federal gov’t-Most machines lost their ability to deliver votes

Progressive era-New Deal reforms :)

Organizational Power-state/local

State/Local party organizations vary in strength and resourcesRegional power??

National org. generally does not interfere in state operations except to give funding or other forms of support.

Decentralization?

PP’s are not centralized (US factor)

However, PP is an organization due to voting patterns, funding, and media

Most call themselves “independent”, so even though PP’s gaining as organization, people not strongly identifying with them.

Political Party Project

Due December 10

- Group of 1, 2, 3 or 4. Choose wisely

- Create a new Political Party!

History of the Major Political parties

• OVERHEAD IN CLASS OR IF ABSENT READ ABOUT IN TEXTBOOK:)

1. Remember… Constitution mentions nothing of Political Parties

2. Federalist #10: factions inevitable, but dangerous

Republicans v. Democrats

Inclass handout and discussion

Current Party Effects on the Political Process

1.Critical elections: an election that produces a sharp change in the existing pattern of party loyalty among a group of voters; the changed pattern is called

2. Electoral realignment: the change in voting patterns that occurs after a critical election

CRITICAL ELECTION #1

1860 ELECTION- Est. the 2 party system!!- TWO PARTY SYSTEM: a political

system in which 2 major parties compete for control of the government (3rd parties have little chance of winning)

Critical Election #1

1860-1894 highlights

A. Republicans won 8/10 POTUSA. LINCOLN WINS DUE TO SPLIT OVER

SLAVERY IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

B. North dominated Southern politics

C. Balance of control in Congress

D. North= Rep, South=Dem

CRITICAL ELECTION #2

1896 ELECTION

- Republicans become true majority party!!!

CRITICAL ELECTION #2

1896-1930 highlightsA. Republicans win 8/10 POTUS againB. Republicans now supported with industrial

interests of East and MidwestC. Republicans continuously control

government (except Wilson) until crash of 1929

A. WILSON GETS ELECTED DUE TO SPLIT IN REPUBLICAN PARTY OVER FIGHT BETWEEN TR AND TAFT (BULLMOOSE PARTY)

CRITICAL ELECTION #3

1932 ELECTION

-Democratic Party take over with the election of FDR

CRITICAL ELECTION #3

1932-1964 highlightsA. Democrats win 7/9 POTUS

A. FDR elected due to Great Depression (crises= need for increased federal government)

B. Democrats supported by new national majority of urban workers, middle-class liberals, European immigrants and southerners.CONTINUED SOLID SOUTH!

C. Congress controlled by Dems

CRITICAL ELECTION #4?

1968 -1994 ELECTION- decline of the Solid South (Republicans win in the south now)-Party control more mixed in congress

ELECTORAL DEALIGNMENT?: lessening importance of party loyalty in voting “I’m independent”

CRITICAL ELECTION #5

Some politicial scientists question if we are realigning back to parties again….

1994-today= Republican control increased in Congress as wells as increase in Republican POTUS’… but not marked by a single critical election.

Why do we have a 2 party system?

1. Electoral system1. Majority representation, Winner takes all (or 1st

past the post)

2. Importance of Presidency1. Electoral college

3. Socialization1. We are taught that 3rd parties are not serious

and can’t raise money; Third parties can’t raise money so they are not taken seriously (Catch 22)

So where do we link up to Parties?

Party identification: not voting pattern, but you psychological attachment to a party in a given election

1952- present facts:1. R/D together outnumber I2. D consistently higher than R3. D shrinking over time where R/D/I very close in %

Social groups?

1. Jews/African Americans= D

2. Low socioecomic= D

3. High ed= D

4. Women= D

5. South= D

6. 50% young= parents; the other half= I

7. Young in 1980s=R; Older= D

Bibliography

www.gop.comwww.democrats.orgwww.opensecrets.orghttp://politicsstudio.wetpaint.com/page/Party+Affiliation#athttp://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#USP00p1http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/exit-polls.html