Political Parties

Chapter 9

Washington’s Farewell Address

1796

“I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.”

An organization that sponsors a candidate for public office under

the organization’s name.

What is a political party?

The Five Functions of a Political PartyNominate- name or recruit candidates, then

present to votersInform- inform and stimulate the voters about a

candidate; pick and choose issues; criticize other party

Approve- keep the party bonded by approving actions of candidate

Government- many voters decide winner by party, Congress works on a partisan basis, and appointments are made according to party.

Watchdog- parties watch the conduct of those in power, try to convince voters to oust the ones in charge

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Winner take all Single member districtVoters do not want to “waste” vote on minor

party.

Minor parties often find it difficult to flourish because election laws have been written by officials who are members of the major parties.

Reasons for a Two-Party System

1. HISTORY

2. SYSTEM

3. ELECTION LAWS

History of U.S. Party Politics1. Pre-party Period

a. Constitution makes no reference to parties

b. Factions Groups pursuing a common political

interest Considered both inevitable and

dangerous (Federalist No. 10) Factions were not yet parties, they did

not nominate candidatesc. Grew under Washington’s

administration

2. Federalists and Democratic Republicansa. Election of 1796

Federalists (John Adams) Democratic Republicans (Thomas Jefferson). Adams won, Jefferson became vice president.

b. Election of 1800 More systematic nomination. Federalists (John Adams) Democratic Republicans (Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr) Jefferson and Burr tie and it goes to the House.

c. Twelfth Amendment (1804)- Separate electoral college for the president and vice- president

d. By 1820, the Federalists had ceased to exist; Democratic Republicans had no opposition in the presidential election.

e. Election of 1824 – Democratic Republicans split into two different factions

3. Democrats and Whigsa. The Election of 1828

Democrats formed from the Jacksonian Democratic Republicans

Represented Southerners and Westerners First mass election, over 1 million voters

b. National Conventions and Party Platforms National Convention- Gathering of delegates of a

single political party to choose presidential and vice presidential candidates and to determine the party platform.

Party Platform- The statement of policies of a national party.

c. Whigs formed in 1834 to fight “King” Jackson. Lasted until 1856

4. Democrats and Republicansa. The Republican party formed in 1854 in

opposition to slavery.◦ Ran Abraham Lincoln in 1860◦ Won largely because of splits in the Democratic

partyb. Critical elections

◦ Def.- An election that produces a sharp change in the existing pattern of party loyalty among groups of voters; changed pattern is called electoral realignment.

◦ The election of 1860 was the first critical election. Pattern stayed in place until the election of Eisenhower in 1952.

Era of Dominance (Post Civil War)

1860-1894: Rough BalanceRepublicans won 8 out of 10 presidential elections, but there was

balance in Congress. 1896-1930: Republican Control

Second critical election- 1896: Republicans became more closely aligned with industrial interests in the East and Midwest

Republicans controlled the entire federal government continually until the Crash of 1929

1932-1964: Democratic Control Third critical election- 1932: Democrats aligned with unions,

middle class, immigrants and southerners Democrats held control of both Houses of Congress in most

sessions throughout this period. 1968-Present: Rough Balance

Republicans began to run well in the South Control of Senate almost even, Democrats controlled House 13/19

sessionsMay be a period of electorate dealignment.

Third Parties in the

United States

Populist principlesThe Omaha Platform:1. Opposed monopolies2. Opposed big business3. Feared political corruption4. Wanted the government to have a

bigger role in society5. Had a strong sense of morality6. Supported farmers7. Wanted better labor conditions

In the election of 1892 they won 22 electoral votes!

The Progressive PartyDeveloped as a reform movement in the

early 1900’s. Differed from the populists in that they were more educated, wealthy and

urban.

Progressive PlatformSuffrage Prohibition

Direct Election of Senators

Election Reform

Worker’s Rights Child Labor Laws

Why are parties getting weaker?

1. Independents2. Ticket-splitting3. Divided government4. Cynicism & political apathy5. Decentralized party structure6. Mass media7. Interest groups

Other Third Parties

1. Splinter Parties (Bull Moose)

2. Single-Issue Parties (Green)

3. Ideological Parties (Socialists)

4. Economic Protest Parties (Greenback)

Interest Groups

“Suppose you go to Washington and try to get at your government. You will always find that while

you are politely listened to, the men really

consulted are the men with the biggest stake – the big

bankers, the big manufacturers, the big masters of commerce”

– Woodrow Wilson

“Concededly, each interest group is biased;

but their role…..is not unlike the advocacy

of lawyers in court which has proven so successful in resolving

judicial controversies” - John F. Kennedy

Interest Groups

Definition: Any organization that seeks to influence public policy through lobbying.

Two types – institutional and membership◦Institutional - deals with individuals or organizations

representing other organizations such as: business firms and unions

◦Membership – deals with social, business, veteran, charitable, religious issues

Differences among Americans has led the proliferation of interest groups

Huge variety of issues including abolition, prohibition, gun rights, farm issues, religious associations, environmental groups, political reform, balanced budget, businesses, unions, even older Americans

See table on page 267 and 268

Reasons for Interest Groups1. Cleavages2. Constitutional System3. Non-Profit Perks

◦ Section 501 (c) (3)- Tax-exempt, no lobbying or campaign contributions

◦ Section 501 (c) (4)- Not tax-exempt, but can lobby and give campaign contributions

4. Weakness of Political PartiesSee table on page 261

Why join an interest group?Feel a part of the political process, pleasure, and/or companionship

Material incentives - money, things, services

Common goals – passion about an issue, common ideology, public interest, protection

Funding of Interest Groups

Interest groups have long been involved in a variety of social movements such as: abolition, the environment, feminism, and unions

Funding for interest groups comes from three main sources:1. Foundation grants2. Federal grants and contracts3. Direct mail

What makes interest groups powerful?SizePower of AARP – 25% of the population 50

and overIntensity Drive or effort put forth (single issue groups

fall into this category)MoneyForm a PAC (Political Action Committee) –

donate money to campaigns and advertising

Methods of Interest Groups

1. Electioneering2. Lobbying3. Publicity4. Organizing grassroots

activities5. Use of the courts

U.S. v. Harriss (1954)

In 1953, The Supreme Court upheld the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946), but narrowed its scope significantly.

The Court determined that it applied only to paid lobbyists who directly communicated with members of Congress on pending legislation. This created a number of loopholes including:- It does not regulate people who give money to influence legislation, only those who solicit or collect money.- It does not define "principally." A lobbyist can argue that his principal goal is not influencing legislation.- It does not include those who communicate with Congressional staffers.

The “Revolving Door”

Here’s an interesting phenomenon?? Many people leave public office, get hired by a

PAC and then return to Washington to lobby. It can happen over and over again (Donald Rumsfeld for example). This can lead to a conflict of interest and an unfair

manipulation of government agencies.

Critical Thinking

Imagine you are a member of the President’s cabinet. The Treasury secretary advises that the President makes cuts in federal spending to save the economy.He/she must make some tough choices and you must advise him. The spending areas under review are:

1. Social Security2. Environmental Protection Agency 3. Women’s health clinics4. Education5. Medicare

You must get rid of one, cut spending in two, maintain spending in one, and raise spending in one.Discuss what interest groups you feel would lobby your administration before you make your decision. Consider their arguments. Explain the reasons for your choices and the potential political consequences for your decisions.

The Lobbying Process

Role play• The scenario: The drug companies arelobbying for legislation that would givethem control over any prescriptiondrug program for senior citizens.

• Interest groups: plan your arguments.How will you convince the President totake your side?

• Presidential advisors: what factors willinfluence your decision?

The Lobbying Process

Break into groups:• Group 1: Advisors to the president• Group 2: AARP• Group 3: The Pharmaceutical

Researchand Manufacturers of America• Group 4: AFL-CIO