Chapter 9
Political Parties
The Functions of Political Parties
(Note: Parties have consistently grown weaker in each of the functions)
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Nominate Candidates
Raise and Spend campaign funds
Register voters
Simplify decisions for voters
Unify diverse interests
Act as moderating influence on
government
Reduce diffusion of power in government
Provide patronage
Inform public through party platforms
The Rise and Decline of Political Parties
Origins
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Dangers of factions- Fed #10
Washington’s warning -“baneful effects of
the spirit of party.”
Nevertheless, parties necessary
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Hamilton’s financial plan and support for
Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase.
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The Party, as a unifying force, was necessary to
overcome the systems of separation of powers and
checks and balances that divide government.
The Rise and Decline of Political
Parties
Historical development: the Six
Party Systems in American
History
The Six Party Systems
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1796-1824: the 1st party system: Federalists v.
Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans
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Republicans’ success and Federalists’ demise
1828-1856: the 2nd party system: Jacksonian
Democrats v. Whigs
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John Quincy Adams --election went to the
house, where Speaker Henry Clay gives his
support Adams makes Clay Secretary of
State…”heir to the presidency.”
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Jackson (Old Hickory) is “wronged” Grassroots
organization of the Democrats
Whigs (party in England opposed to the king) springs
up, implying that Jackson is acting the part of a
monarch
The Six Party Systems
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1860-1892: the 3rd party system: Republican
dominance as the party against slavery and
party that kept the union together
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Jacksonian system unable to survive slavery
and sectionalism
New Republicans became dominant because of:
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Civil War Republicans rely on Union pride
Bryan’s alienation of Northern Democrats in 1896
The Six Party Systems
• 1896-1928: 4th party system: second period of Republican
dominance with its coalition of big business and the
working classes against the Democratic rural interests
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Era of reform- Progressives push measures to weaken parties
Primary elections
Nonpartisan elections at city and sometimes state level
Strict voter registration requirements
Civil service reform
Initiatives and referendum
Effects: Reduction in worst forms of political corruption,
weakening of all political parties and “reduction” of voter
turnout
The Six Party Systems
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1932-1964: the 5th party system:
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Democratic dominance begun under FDR
and the New Deal
FDR’s grand coalition (New Deal coalition)
included urban dwellers, labor unions,
Catholics, Jews, the poor, Southerners,
Blacks, farmers
The Six Party Systems
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1968-present: the 6th party system: Era of
Divided Government.
– Much split-ticket voting
– Presidents of one party (typically
Republican) with Congresses of the
opposite party (typically Democratic).
– An era of party dealignment, as voters are
moving away from both parties and are
increasingly independent
Realigning (critical) elections•
Long term change in alignment:
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Definition: periods when a major, lasting
shift occurs in the popular coalition
supporting one or both parties.
Examples: 1800, 1828, 1860, 1896, 1932,
and some believe 1980but we have to
think about why Reagan was elected
Parties solidify who they represent
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Representation
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Republicans represent traditional middle class-more
conservative
Democrats represent new class-more liberal
Democrats hurt since traditional middle class closer in
opinions to most citizens
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To become more competitive, Democrats adopt
rule changes
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In 1988, number of superdelegates increased while
special interest caucuses decreased
1992 rules:
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Proportional representation implemented
States that violate rules penalized
Conventions today only ratify choices made in
primaries
State and Local Levels
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Power distribution: Must look at incentives
to understand the organization of
state/local parties
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The Machine  Money, Money…Money!
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The Spoils System:
patronage jobs  “temporary” jobs awarded to loyal
party members.
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Loyalty shown on election day when individual would produce
10 votes for the candidate.
in the case of Richard Daley’s Chicago party machine, these
individuals would be expected to donate 5% of their income
Kickbacks etc
Party welfare system
response to the spoils system?
Two-Party System
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Why such a permanent feature?
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Plurality
System: the
winner is that
person who
gets the most
votes, even if
he or she does
not get a
majority of all
votes cast
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Electoral systemwinner-take-all and
plurality system
Opinions of voters—two broad
coalitions work, although times of bitter
dissent
State laws have made it very difficult for
third parties to get on the ballot (e.g.
Washington’s top two primary)
Reasons for third party campaigns
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Raise issues rather than win elections
Influence the outcome of presidential
elections (1992!!, 2000!!!)
Parties versus voters
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Democrats: have won more congressional
elections than presidential contests
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Candidates are out of step with average voters
on social and taxation issues
So are delegates.., and there's a connection
Rank-and-file Democrats and Republicans
differ on many political issues
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But differences are usually small
Delegates from two parties differ widely
on these same issues
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Delegates (and candidates) need to correspond
with views of average citizens
But candidates must often play to the
ideological extremes to win delegate support.