What is a Political Party?
A political party is a group of people who share a political ideology, and seek to control government policy through peaceful means such as identifying candidates for public office, and supporting their election campaigns.
What do Parties do for American politics?
They recruit candidates, especially when there is no incumbent
They support candidates financially and with manpower
They educate the electorate to the virtues of their candidate
When they win, they organize the government
Common Party systems in today’s world
Some countries have a One-Party System (e.g., the former Soviet Union under Communism)
Some have a Two-Party System (e.g., USA. There are about 26 registered parties in the US, but the traditional two -- Democrat and Republican – have dominated for over a century)
Some countries have Multi-Party Systems (e.g., most European countries)
Why are there Political Parties in the US?
Political parties are not mentioned in the US Constitution.
Washington and Madison warned against “the divisiveness of faction”
Yet factions first appeared during the state battles over ratification of the Constitution 1787-1789
Early Parties
Federalists: favored the new Constitution, wanted a powerful central government to which state governments were subservient
Republicans (anti-federalists): skeptical of the new Constitution, wanted safeguards for individual liberties and feared relinquishing the accustomed powers of state governments
Values of the Two-Party System
The two-party system provides a voice for differing opinions
It forces compromise to achieve consensus. No group with a large-enough membership will see its opinions totally disregarded
It prevents ideological dictatorship It reinforces the value of “loyal opposition” to the
government
Why didn’t the US develop a multi-party system?
British heritage: Britain has a 2-party system Reflects original Federalist/Anti Federalist
arguments “Winner-take-all” electoral college system (in most
states) favors candidates with broad support. A multi-party system would fragment
State election laws vary widely. Small parties often find it difficult to compete
Political Parties in History
The Washington Administration (1789-1796) contained both Federalists and Republicans (Republicans were the former Anti-Federalists.)
Leaders included Alexander Hamilton (Federalist) and Thomas Jefferson (Republican)
Political Parties in History
Sentiment against government tyranny under the Federalists led to Republican sweep of offices in 1800
Jefferson’s presidency thus began with the “Revolution of 1800.”
Political Parties in History
Jeffersonian Republicanism dominated until 1824
It was helped by the demise of the Federalists after the War of 1812
But the Republican Party itself split into factions.
Political Parties in History
The “National Republicans” were similar to the old Federalists
They wanted federally-financed improvements that would help the country grow
They were suspicious of states’ rights They tended to be Westerners and
Northeasterners.
Political Parties in History
The Democrat-Republicans were closer in belief to the old Jeffersonians
They were suspicious of a strong central government and favored states’ rights
They tended to be Southerners Eventually the Democrat-Republican Party
(or “Democrats”) were associated with slavery.
Political Parties in History
Andrew Jackson was the dominant Democrat figure of the era
His view of states’ rights differed strongly from Jefferson’s
His battle with South Carolina over nullification is one example
Political Parties in History
The Democrats dominated from 1800 until 1860
Their most serious opposition came from the Whigs, formed in the late 1830s in opposition to Jackson
When Jackson left office, the Whigs lost their issue and faded away
Political Parties in History
In 1856, a new “Republican” party formed out of the remnants of the Whigs and a new young group of anti-slavery men.
By 1860 it was the second major party in the country
In 1860, it elected President Abraham Lincoln
Political Parties in History
By the end of the Civil War, Democrats were seen as secessionists and traitors
Republicans were seen as defenders of the Union and of the rights of black citizens.
Republicans dominated in national elections generally from 1860-1932, with only a few exceptions.
Political Parties in History
Democrats adopted some “common man” Populist causes in the 1896 election and achieved some limited success
They returned to national prominence and power with the “New Deal” of Franklin Roosevelt in 1932.
Political Parties in History
This solidified the image of Democrats that the party claims today:
The Democratic party is seen as the party of the working man, of using tax dollars to create an equitable society, of using a strong central government as a tool for social change.
Political Parties in History
The “New Deal coalition” put together by FDR gathered blue collar workers, Black voters, women, Catholics, Jews, and city-dwellers.
Elections such as 1896 and 1932, which bring new kinds of members and new beliefs to a party, are called REALIGNING elections
Political Parties in History
During this time, Republicans characterized Democrats as the party of radicalism and socialism.
They characterized themselves as the party of restraint, of self-reliance, and of free enterprise with no government interference.
Political Parties in History
Democrats dominated in American government from 1932 to 1968
The Democrats held either the majority in Congress or the White House (if not both) for those 40 years.
Political Parties in History
In 1946, Republicans gained control of Congress. With Democrat Harry Truman in the White House, the country experienced divided government
DIVIDED GOVERNMENT: One party controls the presidency, and the opposing party controls one or both Houses of Congress
Political Parties in History
In the 1948 mid-term elections, Democrats regained control of Congress
In 1952, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected President and the Republicans again gained control of Congress
In the 1954 mid-term elections, Democrats regained control of Congress
In 1960,John F. Kennedy was elected President, and the Democrats retained control of Congress
Political Parties in History
Republican Richard Nixon was elected President in 1968, and re-elected in 1972. The Democrats retained their majority in Congress
In 1980, Republican Ronald Reagan was elected President. The Republicans gained control of the Senate
Although Reagan was re-elected in 1984, the Republicans lost control of the Senate and the Democrats again controlled both houses of Congress
Political Parties in History
In 1992, Democrat Bill Clinton was elected President. The Democrats also controlled both houses of Congress.
In the 1994 mid-term elections, the Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress.
After the 2000 elections, Republican George W. Bush became President and the Republicans continued to control Congress. However, the Senate was equally divided (50-50) and Republican Vice President Richard Cheney held the tie-breaking vote
Political Parties in History
But in 2001, Senator Jim Jeffords (R-VT) left the Republican party. Although officially an independent, he caucused with the Democrats. Thus they regained effective control of the Senate
After the 2002 elections, the Republicans held the Presidency and control of both houses of Congress
In the 2006 mid-term elections, Democrats regained control of both houses of Congress
Political Parties in History
In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama was elected President and the Democrats retained control over Congress
In 2010, the Democrats maintained control over Congress, but in 2012, the Republicans gained control of the House.
During some of these periods, one party or the other has held a “veto-proof” majority (60 votes) in the Senate
Political Parties in History
At best, frequent change of control and division can result in sharp and honest political debate that results in true consensus government.
Political Parties in History
At worst, it can result in stalemate and total lack of progress that politicians call “gridlock.”
Political Parties in History
Democrat President Bill Clinton experienced this two years after his first election in 1992
Congressional mid-term elections brought Republican majorities to both Houses of Congress in the so-called “Conservative Revolution.”
Political Parties in History
The new House Speaker, Newton Gingrich (R, Georgia) presented a conservative agenda called “The Contract with America”
It called for strong defense, lower taxes, tightening entitlement programs like “welfare,” limitations on powers of committee chairs, and 3/5 majority required to pass ANY tax increase
Republican popularity soared
Political Parties in History
Sometimes, one party or the other displays a significant shift to either the right or the left
In 2002, both Republican and Democrat parties shifted views to the right
Democrats shifted many of their positions to avoid losing voters
Political Parties in history
Often, de-aligned voters refuse to join the other party.
They may classify themselves as independent, or drop out of the political process altogether.
Political Parties in History
On the other hand, in cases where de-aligned voters form new coalitions and gather new supporters, the process called re-alignment occurs.
It may result in an all-new political party (as occurred with the Republicans in 1854) or it may bring about a new belief system for an old party (as happened with the Democrats in 1932)
Political Parties in History
Parties that do not affiliate with either of the two major groups in the United States are called “third parties,” regardless of how many of them there are.
Political Parties in History
A few of these third parties have elected members to Congress; no third party candidate has ever been elected to the presidency.
Political Parties in History
Ironically, a strong and successful third party is more likely to bring change to one of the two major parties, than to establish itself as a new and independent party.
KINDS OF THIRD PARTIES
IDEOLOGICAL THIRD PARTIES: are based on a particular system of beliefs
Examples are the Socialist Party, the American Communist Party, the Libertarian Party, the Constitution Party
KINDS OF THIRD PARTIES
SPLINTER OR “PERSONALITY” PARTIES: break off from one of the majors, usually under the influence of a strong leader
They often die out when the leader steps aside or ceases to be relevant
Examples are the Bull Moose Party, The Whig Party, the Reform Party, the American Independent Party, many others
KINDS OF THIRD PARTIES
SINGLE ISSUE PARTIES: form around one public policy matter
Examples are the Free Soil Party, The Right-to-Life Party, The Prohibition Party
KINDS OF THIRD PARTIES
PROTEST PARTIES: form around a group of dissenters on an important public policy issue, and usually arise during times of economic hardship
Examples are The Anti War Party, The Greenback Party, The Populist Party.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Effective organization is key to a political party’s success
Political parties are very large organizations, with diverse membership
It takes a flexible, de-centralized structure to make room for variations in ideology.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The party of the current president at any given time tends to be more tightly organized than the other party
The President of the United States is automatically the leader of his party, guaranteeing high visibility and a strong rallying point.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The opposition party has a tougher organizational task
Usually -- but not always -- a high-profile senior member of Congress emerges as their philosophical leader
Often there seems to be no leader.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION serves as the public voice of the party
Delegates from all over the country meet every four years to rally support behind the front runner.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The Convention formally nominates the presidential and vice presidential candidates (the “ticket”)
And writes the party’s belief statements for the upcoming election season (“the platform”)
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Until primary elections became widespread during the 1970s, the Party insiders did all choosing of candidates at the convention
In recent times, the convention formally introduces the candidate to the Party.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The Conventions are partially televised, though not to the extent nowadays that they were in the early days of television.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Televised Convention speeches provide an opportunity for national exposure for the up-and-coming younger members the Party thinks might be acceptable for national office
Little-known Arkansas governor Bill Clinton gave the opening address (criticized for its length) at the 1988 Democratic National Convention
Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. was the keynote speaker at the 2000 Democratic National Convention
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Outside of a presidential election year, the party’s business is handled by its National Committee.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The National Committee and National Chair are responsible for fund raising, encouraging new membership, and strategizing to help the party’s candidates win elections.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Each National Committee also has a committee organized in each House of Congress
These committees work to re-elect incumbents from their party, and target opposition representatives who might be apt to lose their seats to a strong challenger.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
State laws determine how each party organizes at the state level
As a rule, they are more tightly organized at the state level than at the national level.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Since the 1971 Federal Election Campaign Act, party National Committees have been allowed to distribute national party funds to the states
This has resulted in more cash being available to state party organizations.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
These funds, nicknamed “soft money,” did not have to be identified on a candidate’s financial disclosure reports to the Federal Election Commission
The candidate merely listed “RNC” or “DNC” as the donor, rather than the individual(s) who originally gave the national party these funds.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Soft money was a boon to national committees, making sure that state organizations didn’t become too independent of the national organization.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Soft money was also controversial, because it could allow a candidate to disguise the nature of his/her supporters by channeling their donations first through the national committee.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act in 2002 outlawed almost all “soft money” contributions if channeled to individual candidates
Soft money was restricted to being used by the party only, for voter registration, generic ads urging voters to “Vote Republican!”, etc.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Campaign finance reform had its loopholes, however.
One big one was allowing donors to purchase “issue ads” without listing the endorsement of a particular candidate.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATIONS
Supporters of this exception called it a free speech issue
Congress couldn’t legitimately stop an interested party from buying advertising time to promote anti-smoking laws, for example, or anti-gun control laws, without restricting that individual’s freedom of expression.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
This loophole was most effectively used in the 2004 election by an issue-advocacy group called “Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth.”
This group purchased TV ads questioning the legitimacy of John Kerry’s Viet Nam war medals
The ads never mentioned George Bush’s name, and thus did not violate McCain-Feingold.
ARE POLITICAL PARTIES DYING?
Recent trends suggest they might be; third party challenges since the early 1990s have taken votes from both major parties.
ARE POLITICAL PARTIES DYING?
More and more Americans are describing themselves as independent, and say they vote for the person, not for the party.
ARE POLITICAL PARTIES DYING?
More and more voters are “splitting their ticket” when voting, that is, they vote Democrat candidates for some offices, Republican candidates for others.
ARE POLITICAL PARTIES DYING?
Many Americans indicate in polls that they see little difference between the positions of the two major parties
ARE POLITICAL PARTIES DYING?
As each of the major parties scrambles to include more and more interest groups under their party umbrellas, they find this diversity weakens the strength created by uniformity, and increases internal conflict.