political parties blessing or curse?. the videos chris christie’s keynote speech in tampa for 2012...

Political PartiesBlessing or Curse?

The Videos

Chris Christie’s keynote speech in Tampa for 2012 RNC

Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at 2008 DNC

Political Parties Defined

Definition: Organization of people whose purpose is to win elections and control both government positions and policy

NO Mention in the Constitution!

Warning!

The Federalists papers and good ol’ GW (George Washington) warned the young nation about the dangers of political parties

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists debates during the ratification of the new Constitution

First political parties:

Jefferson’s Democratic Republicans

Hamilton’s Federalists

The Beginning

Function of Political Parties

Organize:

People with similar agendas

Campaigns / elections

Disparate groups into one

Find candidates for office

Coordinate different branches of gov’t

Hold those in office accountable

Why only two?

Tradition

Obstacles to two parties

State laws give control over ballot access to successful parties from prior elections

Federal financing laws give matching grants to successful parties

Why Third Parties Develop

Failure of major parties to represent an emerging constituency

Promotion of an ideology or specific issue

Libertarian: limit gov’t interference

Free Soil: no extension of slavery (1848)

Populist Party: reform in politics and economics (1892)

Frustration with the major parties

non-responsiveness of the two major parties