Political Parties

What Is A Political Party? A group of office holders, candidates,

activists, and voters who identify with a group label and seek to elect to public office individuals who run under that label.

Consist of three separate but related entities: Party in government (elected officials) Party as an organization Party in the electorate (voters)

The Meaning of Party

Functions of the Parties Mobilize support Pick Candidates and run

Campaigns Articulate Policies (Platform) Coordinate Policymaking

What are the differences between Republicans and

Democrats today?

The Economy and TaxesDemocrats Are generally in favor of large

government and a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor

Tend to be against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions

Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed

Tend to make laws to protect American businesses from international competition

Republicans Are generally in favor of a

smaller government Generally for free market

agreements with other countries, like NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement.

Vehemently against raising taxes even if it means a budget deficit

Tend to believe in global trade and don’t tend to protect US businesses from international competition

National Defense and Security

Democrats Tend to cut the

military budget Generally want to

avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations

Tend to believe in diplomacy and are slow to go to war

Republicans Believe in a strong

military and are willing to pay for it with government money

Believe in confronting American enemies with or without UN support

Believe in using military intervention when American interests or security is threatened more quickly than Democrats

Entitlements: Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care

Democrats Generally think that

the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others.

They generally think these policies help the common good and are compassionate

Republicans Generally think

the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor.

They believe that private businesses and non-profit charities can provide the same services

Crime and Punishment

Democrats Tend to focus on

rehabilitation programs over long prison sentences for convicted criminals

Usually against the death penalty

Focus on rights of the accused

Republicans Tend to focus on

prison sentences as a deterrent to crime

Usually for the death penalty

Usually for stiffer penalties for convicted criminals

Environmental Protection

Democrats Favor stricter

regulations on businesses to protect the environment

Believe global warming is a real threat

Republicans Favor fewer

restrictions on businesses in the hopes that wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental

Many do not believe global warming is a real threat

Abortion and Stem Cell Research

Democrats Tend to be pro-

choice- believe that a woman should always have the right to choose to have an abortion

Tend to favor stem-cell research

Republicans Tend to be pro-life-

do not believe that women have a right to have an abortion and instead call abortion a form of murder

Tend to be against stem-cell research

Energy Policy

Democrats Focus on

researching alternative energy sources for the future

Republicans Focus on

securing existing energy sources for the present and future

Values: Same Sex Marriage and Civil Rights Laws

Democrats Tend to support

the right for same-sex couples to marry

Republicans Tend to oppose

the right for same-sex couples to marry

Education

Democrats Oppose using tax

money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

Republicans Favor using tax

money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

Immigration

Democrats Favor looser

immigration laws Some favor

“Amnesty” for illegals already in the country

Republicans Favor stricter

immigration laws Some favor

punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

Evolution of American Parties

1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party GovernmentDivided government: one

party controls Congress and the other controls White House

Political Party Organization in America

Party in the Electorate Party Identification:

A citizen’s personal affinity for a political party. Usually expressed by his or her tendency to vote

for the candidates of that party. Sources

Parents Marriage and other aspects of adult life can

change one’s party loyalty. Charismatic political personalities, cataclysmic

events, and maybe intense social issues Social class is NOT an especially strong

indicator of partisan choice.

Group Affiliations Geographic Region

South still has Democratic Party affinity at local election level.

Gender Gender gap

Race and Ethnicity African Americans Hispanics

Age Young people once again

becoming more Democratic

Social and Economic Factors Republicans have higher

SES (occupation, income, and education) supporters.

Religion Protestants favor

Republicans; Catholics and Jews are predominantly Democratic.

Marital Status Married people lean more

towards Republicans. Ideology

Few surprises

Crashing the Party! Minor Parties

Third parties: electoral contenders other than the two party parties; rarely win elections

Third parties are important. Are “safety valves” for popular discontent Bring new groups and ideas into politics

Two-party system Discourages extreme views Contributes to political ambiguity

Party: Crashed! (2000)

In the 2000 presidential election in Florida, George W. Bush defeated Al

Gore by 537 votes.

Nader received

97,421 votes.

Why do Minor Parties remain minor?

Most states allow D & R automatic place on the ballot; third parties have to petition

Public funding of campaigns is more generous for two major parties

Media ignores them; labels them as “non-winners”

Other countries use “proportional representation” and have more parties represented

Andrew Jackson used a donkey to symbolize his working class roots and ever since the Democrats

have been known as the part of the donkey.

Republicans came to be associated with elephants due to the political cartoons of Thomas

Nast in 1874.