AP GovernmentPolitical Parties

Party FunctionsPolitical Party

An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public

policy

Unify the Electorate

Help Organize Government

Translate Preferences into Policy

Provide Loyal Opposition

Organize the Competition

The Nomination of CandidatesClosed Primary

System

Only registered members of the party are allowed to vote

in the primary

Open Primary SystemVoters are allowed to

participate in the primary election without declaring

membership in a party

Party ConventionA National meeting of party

delegates to vote on matters of policy and in

some cases to select party candidates for public office

CaucusA meeting of party

delegates to vote on matters of policy and in

some cases to select party candidates for public office

These two are the most popular today

Party Systems

Multiparty

Coalition government is necessary

Minor parties have an incentive to persevere

Proportional representation

Governments tend toward instability

Two party

• Winner-takes-all system

• “Wasted vote” syndrome discourages minor parties

• Government tends toward stability

• Policy change is incremental

Which system is better?

Minor Parties: Persistence and Frustration

Ideological Parties: Focused on a core set of beliefs (Libertarian

Party)

Protest Parties: Spring up in response to

a situation/law passed (Reform Party)

Single-Issue Parties: Focus on one idea (Prohibition Party)

Splinter Parties: Break away from the

larger party (Tea Party)

What role do they play in our system? Is this a wasted vote?

Minor Parties in the United States

Realigning Elections

1. Jacksonian Democrats and Whigs 1824 to 18502. Abraham Lincoln (1860): Post-Civil War

Republican Dominance (until 1896)

Realigning Elections

Roosevelt’s optimism and “can do” attitude in the face of the Great Depression helped cement the New Deal Democratic coalition that won him the presidency

3. The New Deal Democratic Party (1932 to 1968)

Divided Government

Currently: Since 1953, divided government, with one party controlling Congress and the other the White House, has been in effect twice as long as one-party control of both the legislative and executive branches

The 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 Elections: Into the New Century

2000: 50-50 partisan tie in the Senate, slim Republican majority in House and contested presidential vote count

2002: President’s party gained seats in the House and Senate

2004: Bush reelected and his party picked up seats in Senate and House

2006: Democrats win majority in both House and Senate2008: Democrats increase majority in House and Senate, and

win the presidency2013: Democrats control the presidency and the Senate

(barely); Republicans control the House

Party Identification

Party Identification

Using this data, characterize today’s electorate.

Results: Partisan Realignment and DealignmentVoters have shown no consistent preference for one

party over the otherDealignment: Weakening of partisan preferences

that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents.

Still, two-thirds of all “independents” are really partisans in their voting behavior/attitudes ◦ One-third consistently Democratic, one-third consistently

lean Republican, and one-third are independents

Party Identification

How Parties Raise and Spend Money

Revenue ◦Soft money◦Hard money

Expenditures