Political Parties

Political Parties

Political PartiesPolitical PartyA group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office.

Political PartiesMajor party United states has two major parties, the Republicans and DemocratsMinor party- any political party that is not Democrats or Republicans

Who am I? What did I do? And what political party am I in?

What Do Political Parties Do?Parties are the major mechanism behind the development of broad policy and leadership choices.The vital link between the governing and the governed.

PartisanshipA firm allegiance to a political party.Party Politics- Voting for bills, candidates, ideas based almost strictly upon the request of the party.Democrats vote with President ObamaRepublicans voted with President BushThey each voted against the opposing party.Party in Power the political party that controls the executive branchWhy the Two-Party system?Just because we have 2 main parties does not mean they are both in position to become the party of power.Some states always vote RepublicanExamples?Some states always vote DemocraticExamples?Historical BasisFederalists vs. Anti-FederalistsHamilton vs. Jefferson

TraditionOnce established, human institutions are likely to become self-perpetuating. Because thats how it started, thats how it is going to stay.People accept the idea of a two party system simply because that is how it has always been done.Electoral SystemSingle-member districts- contests in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot.Winner take all electionsPlurality- the person that gains the most of votes, regardless of how many votes are controlled, takes office.This does not need to be a majority.

Electoral SystemSingle-member districts discourage minor parties why?You can either vote for the winner or the losers, so naturally, most people will vote for a person that has a chance of winning.Most voters think a vote for a minor party is a wasted vote.

Electoral SystemMuch of electoral law is purposely written to discourage non-major party candidates.One of the few instances where bipartisanship is encouraged and enacted.Both republicans and democrats working together.In many states it is far more difficult for a minor party to even be listed on the ballot.Electoral System

Electoral System

Electoral SystemBush and Gore in 2000 were on every ballot for President.No other candidates were on every ballot.Only 7 times has a non party candidate made it on every states presidential ballots.Eugene Debs was the first to make it on all ballots.Socialist candidate.More recently Pat Buchanan was on 49 ballots, Ralph Nader was on 43 ballots

American Ideological ConsensusAmericans, over time, have shared many of the same ideals, the same basic principles, and the same patterns of belief.Pluralistic society One consisting of several distinct cultures and groups.Increasingly the members of various ethnic , racial, religious, and other social groups compete for and share in the exercise of political power.Common Sense ReasonsThe two party system is simple.Our society is filled with examples of a winner vs. loser mentality good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, Steelers vs. Ravens.Americans want a Super Bowl not the BCSThe easiest way to go from a have-not to a have is to join the other side.One-Party SystemsIn nearly all dictatorships today, only one political party is allowed.A one-party system is in essence a no party system.A one party system allows for the ruling power to become the only voice that can be heard.All other voices are silenced.Other types of party systems One-Party SystemsExample:Republican North and Democratic South until the 1950s.Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins most electionsOne Party Systems where only one party is allowed.Example: Dictatorships such as Stalinist Russia

Factors that can influence party membership:

Multiparty SystemA system in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win, public office.Various parties are based on particular interest, such as economic class, religious belief, and political ideology.Many countries in Europe use this model.Downfalls?Multiparty systemParties must form coalitions in order to become elected and pass laws.A coalition is a temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government.The Three Historical Eras

The Era of the Democrats, 18001860Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents.The Republican Party is founded in 1854.The Era of the Republicans, 18601932Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections.The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s.The Return of the Democrats, 19321968Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections.Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times.

American Parties: Parties TodayThe Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided GovernmentSince 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party.19681976 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats19761980 Democrats hold the presidencyCongress is controlled by Democrats19801992 Republicans hold the presidency Senate controlled by Republicans 1980-1986, controlled by Democrats from 1986 to 19941992 2000 Democrats hold the presidency Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present2000 Republicans hold the presidencyCongress is controlled by RepublicansSplinter PartyThose parties that split away from a major party to form a small partyExample: Bull Moose Progressive PartyEconomic Protest PartiesDo not have a specific set of goals, rather just a voice of economic discontent.Example: The Greenback PartyTea PartyIdeological PartiesBased on a particular set of beliefs.Example: Libtertarian PartyCommunist Party

Types of Minor Parties

Single-issue PartiesBased on one specific public-policy matter.Example: Free Soil PartyUS Marijuana PartyMinor Parties

Roles of the Minor PartySpoiler Role

Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is from a splinter party.

Critic

Minor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer to ignore.

Innovator

Often, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the two majorThe Party in the ElectorateThose who always or almost always vote for party candidates.The Party Organization:Those who run and control the party machinery.Party ComponentsThe Party in GovernmentThose who hold office in the government.FamilyMajor events

Economic Status

Religion

OccupationAge