“I adore political parties. They are the only
place left to us where people don't talk
politics.”
Oscar Wilde
Chapter 7: Wilson
AP Government and Politics
Homework: Read Wilson (162-271) and take notes
Woll, “Divided We Govern” (192-199)
Under democracy one party always devotes its chief
energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to
rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right.
- HL Mencken

What is a political party?
 Group primarily focused on nominating and electing
candidates, and controlling government

3 “arenas” in which parties operate
 On the ballot – label
▪ Are they today, weaker or stronger?
 In nominating and electing candidates – organization
▪ Are they today, weaker or stronger?
 In making policies - governing
▪ Are they today, weaker or stronger?

What reforms to the ballot and voting habits have
made US parties a great deal weaker in the US?


European parties typically are considered
“stronger” than US parties in the three areas in
which parties operate…
How are European parties stronger…
 As a label?
 In nominating and electing candidates?
 In governing?

Reasons for these differences?
 Federalism – division and balance of power
 Rules/methods whereby candidates are selected
 Presidential vs. Parliamentary system

The political culture of Americans also tends to make our parties
weaker than their European counterparts…
 “segmental” vs. “comprehensive” role in our lives.

Why is this the case?

The Founding
 Founding to 1820s
 Critical election = 1800

The Jacksonian Period
 1820s to Civil War
 Critical election = 1828

The Civil War and Aftermath
 Civil War to 1930s
 Critical election = 1860

The Era of Reform
 1930s to ???
 Critical election = 1932

The Founding
 What were the two
earliest parties based
on?

How did the election of
1800 essentially signal
the beginning of the
end of this period?

How did the parties
represent
heterogeneous
economic and regional
interests?

The Jacksonian
Period
 How was this a
“democratization
of democracy?”
▪ Voting, nominating
candidates, electors

What 2 parties
emerged after the
election of 1828

The Civil War and Aftermath
 How did slavery affect the election of 1860?
▪ Democrats, Whigs (Constitutional Union), Republicans
 What was the result of the election?
What divisions
emerged after the
1860s and
characterized the
nation until 1896 and
beyond?

The 1896 Election –



Bryan and Democrats lose; new Republican party solidifies
Shores up the parties in certain regions of the US
Why were there internal divisions of parties after the 1896 election?
▪
Old Guard vs. Mugwumps – what reforms were attempted?

What triggered this “realigning election”?
 How did FDR and the Democrats overcome their
isolation as a “regional” party (midwest, south)?
 Who comprised the New Deal coalition?

What is a “critical” or “realigning” election?
 sharp changes in issues, party leaders, the regional and demographic bases of
power of the two parties, and structure or rules of the political system (such as
voter eligibility or financing), resulting in a new political power structure that
lasts for decades.

The 1800 Election –
▪ Begins the initial “fading” period of parties –Dem/Republicans victorious

The 1828 Election –
▪ Begins the Jacksonian period

The 1860 Election –
▪ Republican party emerges; Whigs disappear

The 1896 Election –
▪ Bryan and Democrats lose; new Republicans solidify
▪ Shores up the parties in certain regions of the US

The 1932 Election –
▪ Emergence of the “New Deal Coalition”
▪ Labor unions, intellectuals, farmers, seniors, white southerners, Jews, Catholics, and
minorities .

The 1968 Election -
▪ Fracturing of the New Deal Democratic Coalition

Will it be a critical, or realigning election?
 What would have to happen?

Can you envision a scenario in which this
happens?