Notes on political parties
What is a political party?
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An organized effort by incumbents, candidates, activists and voters to pursing public policy; by
gaining power through the electoral process
What is the goal?
The goal: is to win elections & impact the legislative process
What is the function?
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Their function: Parties endorse candidates, and assist in election efforts (raise money,
campaign, provide grassroots efforts
In return, members expect candidates to remain loyal to their parties objectives
1. Recruit and nominate candidates: create rules by which candidates seek their nominations
2. Educate and mobilize voters (mailing, rallies and advertisements)
3. Provide Funding
4. Organize government activity: House and senate organize their leadership and members
along party lines
5. Provide balance through opposition
6. Reduce conflict and tension in society” 1. By encouraging parties to accommodate voters
2. for voters to accept compromise
What is the difference between an interest group and political party?
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Interest group are narrow inn their scope
They are not trying to win office
They want to influence public policy
POLTICAL PARITIES consist of three separate but related entities
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Governmental party: Officeholders who organize themselves and pursue public policy under a
party label
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Organizational party: A group of people who are neither elected officials nor average voters.
They are political professionals who recruit candidates and voters, organize campaign events
and raise money. workers and activities who make up the party’s formal organization structure
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Party in the electorate: The voters who are connected to a party
The development of the two party systems
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Washington warned against the development of permanent political parties because of the
treat of factions
By 1796: battle lines were being drawn; (Democratic Republicans & Federalists)
Federalists: supported a strong central government; industrial economy, fear of the common
man
Democratic Republicans: strong states governments; favored enumerated powers; Agrarian
economy
They arose because;
They created a way for people to unify who shared the same political ideals
They allowed people to have choice; which allowed them to vote for likeminded representatives
Jefferson: early belief about political parties: who was deeply committed to his party’s ideas;
but not so much the part itself; saw it as means to defeat Adams; not as permanent solution
Federalist disappear (election of 1816) 1817-1825; entered in the Era of Good Feelings; unity at
its finest
Two parties continued to develop at state level: (1820-1840)
Reasons why
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1. In part, because of the growth of the electorate; fueled by westward expansion
Example: Votes casted during that time period rose from 300,000 (1820) to more than 2 million
(1840)
2. During this time shift in nomination process: from congressman groups to nominations at
party conventions
Example: 1832: Andrew Jackson Democratic party; held first party convention for president
Enter in the Whigs (1832): A coalition of of both northern and southern voters; they shared one
thing in common their hatred for Andrew Jackson
Enter in the Republicans (1854)
Golden Age 1874- 1912:
Major Characteristics the era
1.
2.
3.
party stability
political machines controlled
party control of politics
Main reason why: The wave of eastern immigration
The Modern Era
Shift away from Golden Age Why:
1. Factor in less people immigrating to the United by the turn of century
2. Civil service laws Pendleton Act 1883 (merit qualifications for government bureaucracy ;
replaced patronage system)
3. Progressive era 1912-1920) and New Deal (1932-1939) began power shift from strong party
power to national government power
4. Factor in the 17th amendment and direct primaries
3. New Deal: social services began to be seen as a right of citizenship; rather than a party
loyalty issue
4. Post World War II: Social changes also weaken party structure
5. Issue oriented politics: Focus more on the individual candidate and on the issues rather than
party platforms
6. Led to ticket splitting :voting for candidate on issue basis rather than platform
7. Led to candidate centered politics: Focusing on the candidate; their issues character
Elections
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What is a Critical Election?
It is a signal of a major shift in party coalition (group of people organized by interests or
organizations who focus is to win elections
What brings about a critical election?
A major event or an economic downturn
What is Realignment?
A shifting in party coalitions; that usually stays in place over long periods of time
Three major eras/examples
1. The Democratic Revolution (1800)
2. The Civil War Crisis 1860
3. The Great Depression (1932)
What is secular realignment?
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The gradual shifting of party coalitions; based on democratic shifts; rather than an major shock
Examples :Southern part of the US have shifted their support from democrats to Republicans
(during the 20th & 21th centuries)
Party politics
They are centered around party platform; which is the party’s basic philosophy and major
policies
What are the two basic party systems?
1. Plurality: AKA winner take all
2. Proportional
What is our Party System based on?
1. Winner take all
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
1. First off, the two party system favors the two major parties
2. The two major parties will move to the center to get elected; some believe parties have no
permanent positions; only permanent interests (getting elected)