Political Parties

What is a Political Party?

A political party is a group of people, usually united, behind a common set of beliefs and ideals.

Political parties try to push their goals forward by promoting their candidates into offices.

Parties do these things to attain common goals and objectives, as well as to gain power.

The will of the people can be heard, or controlled, through parties.

Parties can also bring conflicting groups together for a common goal and balance out extreme factions.

Nominating a Candidate

This is the major job of a political party.

A candidate has to be selected to run for public office by the party.

A candidate can be chosen or recruited by the party.

In most areas, petitions have to be signed and primaries have to be won.

The parties would then try to raise funds and garner support for their candidate.

“The Base”

The base is your key support group. Parties target their messages to a specific base.

Candidates supply the base with yard signs, pamphlets, buttons, bumper stickers, and advertisements to help gain support.

Parties will then try to shape their candidate and the platform to fit the needs, wants, and desires of their base in return for their votes.

The Bonding Agent

The party acts as a bonding agent for a candidate---protecting that candidate from a loss.

Parties will “vet” a candidate to make sure they are qualified and have nothing to hide.

The party will also try to smooth over anything negative and minimize their effects.

Parties also do this to sustain themselves, as some bad pr could do some major damage to the party.

Governing

Party candidates who win office help to push the values and ideas that candidates want to have.

Also, parties reward supporters with government jobs and contracts. “spoils system”

When a party does things solely based on party lines, this is called partisanship.

Political parties help to bridge the gap between office holders and other leaders.

Party as a Watchdog

Another function of a political party is to keep a check on another party.

The party out of power looks to see and check abuses by the dominant party.

The party deemed to be in power is the party in charge of the presidency/governorship/mayorship.

The out of power party plays the role of “loyal opposition”.

Question Time

1. Why are political parties necessary? What function do they serve?

2. Who is the “base”? Why are they important?

3. What is the role of the party that is out of power?

The Two-Party System

For the most part, America has been dominated by the two-party system.

This is where you have two major political parties and several small, insignificant ones that control politics.

The American two-party system has its roots ever since the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

The Two-Party System

Factions in the colonial period spilled out into the Federalists and Antifederalist movements.

George Washington warned us about the power parties have.

Despite his warning, political parties survived, grew, and evolved over the years.

In the 21st Century, the American two-party system has survived, mostly out of tradition.

The Electoral System

Elections in the US seem to promote a two-party system.

Single-member districts are areas where 1 candidate is elected to each office by winning a plurality of votes.

“Third party” votes are seen as wasted votes. Minor parties seen as useless.

Many election laws seem rigged to promote a two-party system.

Republicans and Democrats work in a bipartisan matter many times and find common ground.

Third parties are too issue oriented for most people. Minor parties face difficulties in getting on the ballot.

The Ideological Consensus Parties try to control the consensus on an issue

—the common ground. The US is very diverse but has broad

consensus on fundamental issues. Very few issues divide the country up over

nonnegotiable issues (Slavery, Vietnam, abortion).

Because of this, third parties are harder to come by because of few issues that fracture our society.

Both parties play to the “middle ground people” for their support.

Multiparty Systems

In many European countries, there are multiple parties.

These parties form coalitions to share power and push agendas for each other.

Slate voting. Frequent shifts in government can

wreck instability and havoc on the country (Italy has a new government every year).

One Party Systems

Mostly found in dictatorship nations, only one party is allowed in the country.

Countries like China, Burma, and Cuba allow only one political party and crack down on oppositional forces.

However, certain areas can be virtual “one party areas”---The South pre and post 1968.

Question Time

4. In what ways does our society and our government support a two-party system?

5. Define ideological consensus.

6. Do you prefer a multiparty system like in Europe or two-party like we have? Explain why.

Party Membership Patterns People choose to be in parties because of

ideals, parents (67%), job security, to fit in, etc. Every party in every area is tailored to meet the

needs of its constituents. Typically, Democrats are younger, Catholics,

Jewish, Black, socially oriented, and are in unions.

Republicans draw people who are older, business oriented, Protestant, and White or Asian.

Major events can also force people to pick parties (Civil War, Civil Rights, George W.)

Meet the American Political Parties

Republican Party Democratic Party Libertarian Party Reform Party Constitution Party Independence Party/Independent Green Party Labor Party Unity Party American Patriot Party Independent American Party Socialist Party Communist Party Socialist Labor Party America First Party Working Families Party Right to Life Party Conservative Party Liberal Party Populist Party Progressive Party Tea Party Workers Party Prohibition Party

The First American Parties 1785-1800

First two parties were the Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams and the Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

The Federalists wanted a loose interpretation of the Constitution and appealed to business orientated people in New England.

The DR Party followed a strict interpretation of the Constitution and appealed to farmers and Southerners.

Jefferson’s defeat of John Adams in 1800 will be the first time a party takes control over from another party in American history.

The Federalist Party has only one president, John Adams, and will dissolve following the election of 1816.

The Democratic Age 1800-1840

After the Federalist Party dissolves, the Democrats (changed their name)

are in total control of the government for 40 years.

Different factions sprang up as the party was being pulled apart by

people allied to John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and Andrew Jackson.

Jackson’s actions as president pull the Democratic Party apart in 1840.

Rise of the Whigs 1840s

The Whig Party will rise up, led by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, in opposition to Jackson’s policies and create a second party for the first time in 30 years.

Whigs held the office in March 1841 with William Henry Harrison, and from 1849-1853 with Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore.

Slavery and sectionalism will bring down the Whigs, but a portion of it became a brand new party.

Rise of the Republicans 1850s

The Republican Party forms in 1854 as a coalition of former Whigs, disgruntled Northern Democrats, Free Soilers, Anti-Masonics, Prohibitionists, and Know Nothings (Nativists).

They were a party dedicated to being antislavery and were only popular in the North.

Abraham Lincoln will be the first Republican president and his election starts the Civil War.

Republican Domination 1860-1930

After the Civil War, the Republicans, viewed as saving the nation, ran the White House and Congress, for 50 of the next 75 years.

The Democrats were confined to the South and depicted as “traitors”.

This is a time marked with expansion West and lots of industrialization.

More governmental powers granted to the people in order to give them a larger voice.

Democrats tried to take on aspects of the Populist Party and Progressive Party.

The Liberal Democrats 1932-1968

With the Great Depression the Democrats regain control with FDR.

FDR and Truman will run the nation for 20 years.

JFK and LBJ will pick up in the 1960s and press for liberal agendas as well.

The New Deal, Fair Deal, New Frontier, and Great Society will all introduce social programs into the governmental sphere.

Return of the Conservatives 1980-2008

Following the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s, Ronald Reagan cements a more conservative atmosphere into the political arena.

Even both Bushes and Clinton adopted some conservative reforms while in office.

Some of the social program were cut or reformed while national defense was strengthened.

Republicans took control of Congress in 1994 only to lose it to the Democrats in 2006.

Present Trends

Barack Obama became the first Black president in American History.

So far, his views have tried to return us to a more liberal stance on issues with a Democratic Congress in place.

The rise of the Tea Party could influence the political arena over the next decade.

This period is also marked by a great aversion and indifference of politics by many Americans.

Question Time

7. In our history, why does it one party seem to dominate over the government for an extended period of time?

8. What present shifts in political thought do you observe today?

The Minor Parties: How they come about

Many times, they come about as a reaction to a specific issue/crisis at the time: Prohibition Party, Free Soil Party, Nativist Party, Right to Life Party, Suffrage Party, etc.

Many are ideological: Socialist, Labor, etc. Many times they are marked by a protest to

economics or the major parties: Whig Party, Populist Party, Reform Party, Tea Party, etc.

Others are splinters: Progressive Party, Green Party, Tea Party, etc.

The Minor Parties: Why they are important

Many times, they bring social issues to the forefront of American politics and make social changes (Progressive Era, Populist Party, Free Soil Party, etc.)

They can split a party up and affect elections (1860, 1912, 1992, 2000).

Minor parties will take a clear stand on controversial issues that the major parties won’t commit on.

Major parties can be influenced by the issues brought on by the minor ones, which in turn destroys the minor parties.

More important on local and state levels than national levels.

Meet the Minor Parties of America

Libertarian Party: 3rd largest party in America. Stand for minimally regulated, free markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration across borders, and non-interventionism in foreign policy that respects freedom of trade and travel to all foreign countries.

Green Party: Related to Green Parties all over the world. Stand for environmental issues and social activism. Led by Ralph Nader

Reform Party: Founded by Ross Perot as an alternative to the major parties. They want a balanced budget, term limits, strict immigration laws, repeal of NAFTA, and presidential election by popular vote. Slowly dying.

Right to Life Party: A slowly disintegrating party that wanted to end all abortions.

Unity Party: Wants to put aside all problems and work together. Mostly moderates. So…not very popular.

Meet the Minor Parties of America Working Families Party: A union based party for

social causes. Wants higher minimum wage and more funding for social programs.

Communist Party: Wants to create a communist society in the US.

Socialist Party: Opposed to capitalism and communism. Wants a stronger health care reform than what Obama passed in 2010. Wants more social programs.

America First Party: Formed by disgruntled Reform Party members, they hate gun control, immigrants, and the UN.

Independence Party: Different forms across the country. In NY, these are people who thought they were checking “Independent” in a box…they were wrong.

Meet the Minor Parties of America

Socialist Workers Party: A communist party in the US that wants to make us a workers paradise, like Cuba.

Workers Party: Another socialist group that wants to pull all American troops out from overseas bases. Very anticapitalist.

Conservative Party: Offshoot of Republicans in many states (like NY). Mostly run by Catholic agendas.

Liberal Party: Offshoot of Democrats in many states (like NY). Supports labor and social issues, but is small.

Constitution Party: Wants to bring the nation back to the original ideals of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution. Very pro-Jesus.

Patriot Party: Very states rights. Back to Constitution. Anti government.

Meet the Minor Parties of America

Progressive Party: Social action party with ties to the “Bull Moose”. However, it appears and disappears regularly. Pulled apart by Republicans and Democrats.

Populist Party: Farmer based party in 1890s. Now is marketed as a “party of the people” and wants to deregulate the government.

Socialist Labor Party: Oldest socialist party in America. Pushed for workers rights and wants to build a society that is anti-authoritarian.

Prohibition Party: Still trying to ban alcohol. Tea Party: Founded in 2009 as a backlash to social

programs and high taxes. Also wants to repeal Obama’s health care. Encouraged by Fox News.

Labor Party: A workers party, usually tied to Democrats.

Question Time

9. What is a single-issue party?

10. What role do minor parties play in our society?

11. Which of the minor parties seemed intriguing to you? Why?

Decentralized Nature of the Parties

The president is viewed as the leader of the party as he is the figurehead of the nation.

Federalism brings different powers and ideals to each party at different levels. Political parties at the local levels are often very similar.

Nominations for offices are done within the party and can be divisive when there are primaries.

The National Party Machinery The National Convention meets every

presidential election year to pick the presidential and vice presidential candidate.

The party also finalizes its national platform for the campaign season.

It’s a great way to get the word out on your candidates platform on tv.

However, the convention itself has no power at all. All the major work has been done beforehand.

The National Party Machinery The National Committees help to chose the

national chairperson and state chairpersons for the party.

While the committee helps form platforms on issues, there is no official power. Most of the power is on preparing for the convention and campaign seasons.

The National Chairperson is the spokesperson for the party. The national committee elects one for a 4 year term after the convention.

The chairperson drums up support for the party in anyway that they can.

Party Politics on the State Level

At the state level, the chairperson fronts the party for the governor, senator, and other elected positions.

They organize goals for the party in the state.

They work with a committee to help candidate all across the state.

Goals for the state party can differ from the national party.

State level committees are limited by state laws.

Party Politics on the Local Level

As with state levels, they are regulated by state and county laws.

They handle elections for counties, town/cities, House of Rep., wards and precincts, and the state legislatures.

A ward is a election unit of a city for council members.

A precinct is a small area of a ward where people go to vote.

Parties can be active year round or only before election times.

Three Components of the Party

The Party Organization: The leaders and activists who give their time, effort, and money to support the party during election times.

The Party in the Electorate: Party loyalists who vote straight party lines and regularly vote.

The Party in Government: The party officeholders.

The Future of the Major Parties

Sharp drop in voter rates, especially among women and young people.

Sharp drop in numbers of people who identify themselves as Republicans and Democrats.

More people who split ticket vote—not along party lines solely.

More internal conflict within the parties themselves. More single issue groups within parties.

New technologies affecting elections.

Question Time

12. Why are political parties at the local level very similar but different at the national level?

13. Why do young people not go out to vote?

14. Why are parties becoming torn apart by the inside?

15. Why are so many people being turned off by political parties and are choosing to be independent?