Political Parties And Interest Groups

Interest Groups and Political Parties

Interest Groups and Political Parties

What are the differences between the Democrats and the Republicans?

What are political parties important in an democracy?

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Definition: Private groups that attempt to influence the

government to respond to the shared attitudes and ideas of their members.

Examples: PAC, Sierra Club, AARP, ACLU, Philip

Morris,

Operations:Operations:

Lobbying- communicate with politicians to sway decision making Tools to catch their attention

Money Gifts

Mass Propaganda

Regulating Interest GroupsRegulating Interest Groups

Laws 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act:

Registration with the House clerk or Senate secretary if interest groups had money to persuade legislation

Act failed few interest group register b/c Supreme Court (1954) allowed noncompliance of grass root groups

Act did not apply to lobbying the executive branch

When do interest groups become political parties?

When do interest groups become political parties?

Definition political party is an organization that seeks to attain

political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns.

Parties often support a certain ideology, but may also represent a subgroups that have different interests.

Presidential election ResultsPresidential election Results

Political SocializationPolitical Socialization Source of political beliefs and attitudes

Family and the Social Environment Education Peers Leaders’ Influence Media Political events

Example:– The Great Depression – 60’s and the Vietnam War Era

Impact of Institutions on Party Structure.

Impact of Institutions on Party Structure.

One party, Two party, or Multiparty System Contingent on: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Presidential or Parliamentary System Laws and Constitution

Theory: Lipset and RokkanTheory: Lipset and Rokkan

Theory on Political Cleavages Parties that were formed in the aftermath of political,

religious, and economic revolutions are frozen. State vs. Church Worker vs. Owner Land vs. Industry Center vs. Periphery (Fed vs. State)

These have and will continue to exist in the political arena despite new issues and challenges.

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

Says nothing about political parties. Why?

Founding fathers felt parties were wicked and corrupt.

Did not want parties to control politics.

Did not want to pervade the entire country.

IdeologyIdeology

Ideologies:Liberalism vs. Conservatism

Ideologies:Liberalism vs. Conservatism

Conservatives: Favor limited governmental involvement in the economy Economic freedom is a necessity for the good of the society Advocate governmental involvement to preserve traditional

values and lifestyles

Liberals: Favor governmental regulation of the economy Advocate a limited governmental role in social issues Social

freedom is necessary for the good of society

Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology

Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology

Republican Party (GOP)- Considered the more

socially conservative and economically liberal.

Laissez-Faire Economics Party Chairman- Ken

Mehlman Democratic Party-

Considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist.

Party Chairman- Howard Dean

US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)

US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)

American Revolution

FederalistFounded by Hamilton

Supported strong central government

Anti federalistFounded by Jefferson

Supported more state autonomyAlso known as the Republicans

Jackson split into a Democratic party

Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs

Hamiltonian vision for modernizing the United States

US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)

Civil War

DemocratsStrong state govt

opportunities for common man such as farmershostile to blacks

Needed slavery for economy

National Republicans (Whig party)active federal. govt,

economic Laissez-Faire Against the expansion of slavery

Southern Whigs ceased to exist (dealigned)

Northern Whigs united with antislavery Democratsand radical antislavery Free Soil party thus creating Lincoln’s

Republicans party

US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)

US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)

Post Civil War

Northern DemocratsFeared strong central govt

CatholicsDid not want to give free slaves rights

Dominated the white south for decades

RepublicansSought to increase the power of the federal govt.

Promoted economic growth and businessesPromoted evangelical protestant morals and values

Public schools w/ protestant curriculumInflation in check to maintain working class wages

Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol

Democrats embraced populism. Advocated for small farmersSought high inflation for debt relief.

US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)

US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)

Industrial Revolution

Democrats Traditional small govt. policy was realigned and opened

to govt. intervention in the economyWilson was able to win presidency because the Republican split

RepublicansHonest Impartial Govt could regulate the economy

more effectively

1912 split : T. Roosevelt ran on the Bull Moose TicketThe platform based non progressive ideals. Protect women, children, and immigrants.

Reform corrupt govt, and give people more voice.

US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System

US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System

Great Depression and New Deal

RepublicansLaissez Faire

State govt and private organizationsTo ease the suffering

Democrats United whites and blacks

Both sought relief from hardshipsStrong federal govt

60’sDemocrats split from economic and social Conservatives in south into republican base

60’ssocial progressives

African Americans remained Democrats

Goals of Political Parties

Goals of Political Parties

To mobilize the public in an organization Organize and run elections Recruit Candidates (strategy: TO WIN) Presenting alternative policies Accepting responsibility for the operation

of govt. (advocating party agenda) Acting as opposition to party in power.

Parties: Party Structure Parties: Party Structure National Level

Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee

State level Governor controls State Conventions State party chairperson Party Boss

Local Level (Grassroots) County Committee County Chairperson District Leaders Precinct or ward captains Party Workers

CartoonCartoon

Primary ElectionsPrimary Elections

Candidates nomination process Feb: Local caucus where party members select

delegate to district convention. Mar: District Convention selects delegates to state

convention. Jun: Presidential primaries are closed primaries.

Party member choose candidate for Nov election. Aug: National convention officially nominates party’s

presidential candidate. Keynote address will open convention and set the tone for

the convention and campaign. Nov: General election registered voters will cast

ballots for their candidate in the electoral college.

Parties in ActionParties in Action

Meetings Quadrennial party convention Nominate presidential

candidate Reveals party platform Introduces new and upcoming

stars Establishes party momentum

Government Provides funding for

candidates Whips legislators

Finances Fund raising

National ConventionNational Convention

Accountability to the VotersAccountability to the Voters

Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

Viable third parties

Role of third parties in a two party system

Role of third parties in a two party system

Goals of third parties: Rally enough supports where they are noticed

by the 2 dominate parties If you can’t beat them, then join them.

Seek to have third party interest included in main party platform

Role of the CitizenRole of the Citizen