American political life
Political parties
Campaigns and elections
Political parties
▫ Definition: a group of political activists who organize to win
elections, to operate the government, and to determine public
policy.
▫ Functions of parties
 Recruiting candidates to run for elective offices at all levels of
government
 Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections
 Bear the responsibility of operating government at all levels
 Providing organized opposition to the party in power is an
essential role for a party that does not control one or another
branch of the government.
Red vs. Blue
 In the years after 1968, the general pattern
was often a Republican president and a
Democratic Congress.
 2000 Presidential Election (Red state-blue
state)
Red vs. Blue States
Elections in 1898
Elections 2004
Political parties
• Any American citizen may join
a political party regardless of
age, but most members are
eighteen or older.
• The United States has a twoparty system. The
Republicans emerged as a
major party in 1860 with the
election of Abraham Lincoln.
The Democratic Party
formed under Andrew Jackson
twenty years earlier.
• In 1828, the farmers and small
business owners who made up
Jefferson’s party, calling
themselves the Democratic
Party, nominated Andrew
Jackson. He stood for the
common citizen, but looked
out for southern and western
interests.
• Those who did not support
Jackson formed their own
party called Whigs, after a
Scottish political leader.
• Their real name was the
National Republican Party.
• The Whigs and Democrats
made up the two key parties in
American politics for two
decades.
• In 1854 Whigs, former Free
Soil Party members, and exDemocrats formed the
Republican Party to oppose
the spread of slavery in US
territories.
• The Whigs faded from
American politics leaving the
Democrats and Republicans in
a two-party system that has
dominated American politics
ever since.
A two-party system
• During the last half-century, the Democrats have
been known as the party of the working class and of
racial and ethnic minorities.
• During the last half-century, the Republicans have
been known as the party of business and known for
having an ethic of self-reliance.
• Republicans have emphasized the importance of the
marketplace and less emphasis on social programs.
• Democrats have emphasized social welfare and
protection of senior’s benefits.
• In recent years, cultural issues have become
increasingly important in defining the
differences between the parties.
•
Abortion, Stem Cell, Same Sex Marriage
• Democrats usually feel that the federal
government has a responsibility to help the poor
through government intervention.
• Democrats are generally seen as liberal.
• Republicans hold the view that leaving the
economy alone will allow for growth, giving
people greater ability to help themselves. They
believe in less regulation.
• Republicans are viewed as being conservative.
Political figures on the spectrum
National conventions
•
•
•
•
The National Convention of the party:
writes the party platform.
nominates a presidential candidate.
seeks to make peace between supporters of rival
candidates.
• chooses a national committee to govern the
party between conventions.
Campaigns and elections
• Autumn to March: The primary nomination
process
▫ There is a contest within political parties
▫ Politicians jokey for power locally and try to
gather (=garner) support of party leaders and
activists.
▫ The candidates start to raise funds (=money)
▫ Policy stances and agendas are outlined (=définis
dans leurs grandes lignes).
▫ Media reports are released, it’s time for surveys
and ads.
▫ Division and factions may surface within parties.
Campaigns and elections …
• February – March: 1st state primaries or
caucuses during which the candidates try to get
their party’s final nomination. They must secure
the majority of the votes.
• During the first-round elections, the citizens
from each state vote for the candidates who are
competing et get their party’s nomination.
• July: NATIONAL CONVENTIONS: a time for
pageantry and showmanship.
Campaigns and elections…
• August – November: official election campaign.
▫ During the presidential race the entire party
becoms unified behind its candidate.
▫ The candidate travels throughout the country,
makes public appearances, gives (delivers)
speeches…
▫ The presidential nominee chooses a running mate
Campaigns and elections…
• ELECTION DAY: Tuesday after the first Monday
Americans vote for PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTORS pledged to a candidate.
Each state is apportioned a number of
electors equal to the number of their
congressional delegation.
DECEMBER: ELECTORAL COLLEGE IN THE
STATES (indirect popular vote) : electors who
are publicly committed to one of the candidates
are empowered to vote. The candidate who wins
a state gets all of the electoral college’s vote
(win-all elections).
Campaigns and elections…
• January, 6th: the votes are sent to Congress.
With 538 electors, the candidate must receive at
least 270 votes.
• January, 20th: the president and vice-president
take the oath of office and are inaugurated
(inauguration day).
Presidential & Mid-Term Elections
Change in House of Representative Seats
Pres.
Mid-Term
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40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
Presidential & Mid-Term Elections
Change in Senate Seats
Pres.
Mid-Term
15
10
5
0
-5
N
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-10
Turn out
• high opportunities for mass participation
▫ range of elective offices
▫ primary elections
▫ referendums and initiatives
• actual participation
▫ primaries (5%-20%)
▫ general election (45%-55%)
• Which other reasons may account for the low
turn-out rate?
Turn-out
Americans do vote very often.
Elections in Massachusetts:
• President
• US House of Representatives
• US Senate
• state governor
• state representative
• state senate
• state attorney general
• state auditor
• state treasurer
• secretary of state
• county commissioner
• sheriff
• clerks of courts
• mayor
• city councillors
• school committee members