Political Parties. Introduction What are the two major political parties in America? Why do parties exist? Are parties good or bad?

Political Parties

IntroductionWhat are the two major political parties in

America?

Why do parties exist?

Are parties good or bad?

Political IdeologiesIdeologies: A cohesive set of ideas and beliefs

used to organize and evaluate the political world

Conservative: One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market, and a more limited government

Liberal: One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger governmental programs and more market regulation

Two PartiesThe Two major political parties are

Democrats= more liberalRepublicans = more conservative

American Parties are Decentralized

In America political parties are decentralizedThey constitute a loose network or organizations,

groups and individuals who share a party label but are under no obligation to work together.

Example from today’s Headlines

Log Cabin Republicans

Parties and Party Systems

There are three parts of the party organizationParty Organization- A specific set of workers at

the national state and local levelsParty in government- the group of elected

officials who belong to a specific partyParty in the electorate- the group of citizens

who identify with a specific political party

Party in OrganizationBoth Parties have a national committee

National Committee: An American political parties principle organization with representatives from each state

These organizationsRun day to day operationsRecruit candidates and supportersWork to build consensus on major issues

Constituency groupsConstituency: a group of people who support

or who are likely to support a politician or political party

Each party has groups focused on recruiting specific constituencies such as specific racial and ethnic groups, religious beliefs, senior citizens etc.

GOP Hispanics, RNC Women

DNC LBGT Community

Party Brand NamesPart of the National Committees goal is creating

a political “brand”

What do you think of when you think Democrats?Positive connotationsNegative connotations

What do you think of when you think Republicans?Positive connotationsNegative connotations

Party in GovernmentParty in Government- the group of elected

officials who belong to a specific party In Congress the Democrats and Republicans create

formal structures to meet, discuss, debate, assign leadership positions and reach policy consensus on positions

The Democrats call their group a caucusThe Republicans call their group a Conference

Formal StructuresSpeaker of the House- elected leader of the

House

Majority leader- Elected head of party in Power

Minority Leader- Elected head of party out of power

Majority whip- focuses on party unity Information gathering Information disseminationCoalition building

Mitch McConnell is the Senate Majority Leader (KY-R)

Harry Reid is the Senate Minority Leader (D-NV)

House Speaker is John Boehner (R-OH)

Nancy Pelosi is the House Minority Leader (D-CA)

Polarized CongressWhy might a more partisan congress be a

problem?

Would you support a no compromise candidate?

Party in Electorate

Party in Electorate

Party CoalitionLook at the Party Coalition Chart

Who are the Major constituency groups for the democrats?

Who are the Major constituency groups for the Republicans?

Party PlatformsParty Platforms: is a list of the values and

actions which are supported by a political party in order to appeal to the general public,

Democrats

Republican

Parties and Party Systems (163-169)

What causes realignment of party systems 168-169 ?

What issues (or potential issues) today do you think could drive a realignment?

How do people vote?What is the Paradox of voting?

Voting CuesIncumbency

Partisanship

Personal vote

Personal characteristics

Retrospective evaluation

For or against party in power