Chapter Eight
POLITICAL
PARTIES
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Learning Outcomes
2
1. Define the concept of a political party and explain
how political parties participate in the political
system.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how the political
parties originated in the United States and how their
strength has increased or decreased over time.
3. Explain the major differences in the demographics
of the supporters of Republicans and Democrats
and discuss how the party positions differ on issues.
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Learning Outcomes
3
4. Identify the three major components of the
political party and explain why these components
are not necessarily consistent with each other.
5. Explain the factors in the American political
system that reinforce a two-party system and
discuss why minor or third parties are rarely
successful.
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
What Is a Political Party?
4
 Group of political activists who organize to:



Win elections
Operate the government
Determine public policy
 Factions: subgroups trying to obtain power
or benefits

No permanent organization
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
What Is a Political Party?
5
Political Parties
Run government
Select candidates
Multiple issues (party
platform)
Tends to blur issues
Interest Groups
Influence government
Support candidates
Often a single issue
Tends to sharpen
issues
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Tea Party Rally
6
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
What Is a Political Party?
7
 Functions





Recruit candidates
Organize and run elections
Present alternatives to electorate
Responsibility for operating government
Provide organized opposition
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
8
 Two-party system since 1800


Shaped by unique historical forces
Emergence linked to form of government created
by Constitution
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
9
 Major periods:







Creation of parties (1789 to 1816)
Personal politics, one-party rule (1816 to 1828)
Jacksonian to pre-Civil War (1828 to 1860)
Civil War and post Civil War (1860 to 1896)
Progressive era (1896 to 1932)
New Deal era (1932 to 1968)
Modern period (1968 to the present)
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
10
 The Formative Years:
Federalists/AntiFederalists


Partisan politics
Two parties emerge
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
11
 Era of Good Feelings



James Monroe administration (1817-1825)
Competition between Republican candidates
Era of personal politics
 Democrats and Whigs



Two-party politics returns
Jackson/Democratic party (1828): common man
Whigs (Republican faction): active federal
government
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
12
 Civil War crisis and post-Civil War period



Divided by slavery issue
Northern Whigs unite with antislavery Democrats
to form modern Republican Party
After war, Democrats dominate the South



“Rum, Romanism and rebellion”
Populism
Triumph of the Republicans
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The 1896 Presidential Election
13
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
14
 Progressive Interlude (1896-1932)
 Political reform due to economic pressures
 Republican Party temporarily splits
 Democratic progressive Wilson elected


Democratic Party changes
No longer party of limited government
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
15
 New Deal Era




Major Democratic intervention in economy
Democrats gain African American support
FDR forms broad political coalition
Democrats mostly dominate until 1968
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
16
 Era of Divided Government





Social issues gain in importance
Civil rights/Vietnam change alliances
Neither party dominates
Era of shifting majorities
Red States vs. Blue States
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
A History of Political Parties in the
United States
17
 Partisanship trends in 2012 elections
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Presidential Elections of 2012
18
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Two Major Parties Today
19
 The parties’ core constituents
 Economic beliefs

Recent economic convergence?
 Cultural politics



Democrats: social programs and increased
government intervention in economy
Republicans: private marketplace, limited
government and self-reliance
Regional factors
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Two Major Parties Today
20
 2012 elections: economic and social values
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Republican Issues and Democratic Issues,
2008 and 2012
21
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Three Faces of a Party
22
1. Party-in-the-electorate


All individuals claiming attachment
Do not need to formally participate
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Three Faces of a Party
23
2. Party organization (structural framework)

National





Convention delegates
National Committee
National Chairperson
State party organization
Local (grassroots) organization


Patronage and city machines
Local party organizations
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Three Faces of a Party
24
3. Party-in-government

Elected officials and appointed officials




Role of partisanship
Divided government increasing
Party unity limited
Party polarization
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
National Party Conventions
25
Democratic Convention
Republican Convention
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Three Faces of a Party
26
 The state party organization


More than 100 state party organizations
State central committee and chairperson
 Local party machinery: the grassroots



District leaders, precinct/ward captains, party
workers
Patronage and city machines
Local party organizations still powerful

Factions
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Convention Delegates and Voters: How Did They
Compare on the Issues in 2008?
27
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Why Has the Two-Party System Endured?
28
 Historical foundations
 Political socialization and practical considerations
 Winner-take-all electoral system
 Presidential voting (electoral college)
 Proportional representation
 State and federal laws favor the two-party system
 Ruling parties work to remain in control
 Party organization limited for independents
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Role of Minor
Parties in U.S. Politics
29
 Third parties
 Formed from scratch by
those committed to issue
or ideology
 Major party split
 Form around charismatic
leader
 Often barometers of
change
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Role of Minor
Parties in U.S. Politics
30
 Ideological third parties


Members regard themselves as outsiders
Do look for immediate electoral success
 Splinter parties/factions

Split from major parties


Bull Moose Progressive Party
Reform Party
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Role of Minor
Parties in U.S. Politics
31
 Impact of minor parties
 Influencing the major parties
 Affecting the outcome of an election


Spoiler in 2000 elections?
But should voters ignore third parties?
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
The Most Successful Third-Party
Presidential Campaigns since 1864
32
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Mechanisms of Political Change
33
 Realignment (voters switch party allegiance)



Myth of dominance
Myth of predictability
Realignment still possible?
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Mechanisms of Political Change
34
 Dealignment (decline in party loyalties)

Independent voters


Decline in straight ticket voting
Not-so-independent voters
 Tipping

Often due to immigration
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Party Identification from 1937 to Present
35
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning
Mechanisms of Political Change
36
 On to the future




Both parties striving for dominance
Republicans hope to gain votes on basis of
cultural and economic conservatism
Democrats looking to attract youth, female and
Latino voters
Impact of moderates and independents
Copyright©©2014
2014 Cengage
Cengage Learning
Copyright
Learning