Political Parties and Party Systems

Flashcards about political parties, their functions, and the evolution of the party system in the United States, based on lecture notes.

Political Parties

Groups of politicians, activists, and voters who attempt to influence the government by electing their members to government offices.

Goal of Political Parties

Win control of the government through elections.

Political Parties as Linkage Institutions

Linkage institutions that connect citizens to the government.

Difference between Political Parties and Interest Groups

Unlike interest groups, they recruit, nominate, and run candidates' campaigns.

Political Parties Function: Facilitate collective action

Encourage civic engagement, educate, and mobilize voters.

Political Parties Function: Recruit and nominate candidates

Support candidates with similar ideas and the best chance of winning.

Political Parties Function: Manage campaigns

Provide support in organizing, fundraising, and media strategy.

Political Parties Function: Facilitate policymaking

Provide direction and leadership through members of Congress and committees.

Political Parties Function: Provide a career ladder

Career advancement for party-loyal politicians, promoting responsibility.

Federalist No. 10

warnings about the "mischiefs of faction"

political parties drive a wedge between ideologies

instigate gridlock, reducing the effectiveness of Congress.

Proportional systems

Each party would have legislative representation that reflects its proportion of the popular vote.

legislative representation

The basic premise of proportional representation system

Allocation of Seats in Proportional Systems

Legislative seats are divided by party according to each's share of the vote.

Single Candidate/Issue

Ross Perot ran in 1992 as a Reform Party candidate with a strong focus on reducing the federal budget deficit.

Historical lack of third-party

Voters think that they are unlikely to win, and therefore don't want to "waste" their vote.

Winner-Take-All

The greatest share of the popular vote receives all the state's electoral votes.

Campaign Challenges

A significant amount of paperwork and signatures required. A lack of media attention for third parties is also a struggle.

election reform

Shortening elections, providing free air time in the media, and placing certain restrictions on campaign funding.

Political parties today

Global events and have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns.

impact of third parties

They manage to cleave groups of voters away from the major parties.

divide party systems

Critical, or realigning, elections

George Washington

Wasn't thrilled with the idea of political factions.

The Federalists

They supported a strong national government and wanted closer ties to England to support trade.

The Democratic-Republican Party

Held some Anti-Federalist ideas. They doubted the benefits of a strong national government and supported trade with France.

Candidates were chosen

Candidates were chosen by caucuses, or meetings, of party leaders.

War of 1812

England's conflict with Napoleon and France influenced the War of 1812.

The Era of Good Feelings

The Missouri Compromise temporarily settled the issue of expanding slavery into new territory.

1828 Election

Andrew Jackson defeated John Quincy Adams, starting the Second Party System.

1828 Election

Jackson's defeat in the 1824 election led to his victory in the 1828 election.

Second Party System

The Whig party adopted its name from the English antimonarchist party.

1860 Election

Slavery became the primary concern for both the Democratic and Whig parties

Republican party

The Republican party formed on an antislavery platform.

1860 Election

This election launched the Third Party System.

Third Party System

Republican supporters lived mostly in the north.

1896 Election

Before this election, rapid social and economic changes due in part to the Civil War, Reconstruction, and industrialization led to the emergence of protest parties.

Populists

This party was the Populists, who supported regulation of farm prices, direct election of senators, and a national income tax.

Democrats

The Democrats nominated William Jennings Bryan, who had populist views.

Fourth Party System

Democrats had allied with the People's Party, the official name of the Populist party, in nominating William Jennings Bryan.

Fifth Party System

The dynamics of the Democratic Party shifted, incorporating the support of northern city dwellers, Catholics, unions, African Americans, and women voters.

Fifth Party System

This system was dominated by primarily Democratic presidents.

Sixth Party System

Richard Nixon (R) won the 1968 election.

Sixth Party System

This new party system reflects regional demographic shifts in the support of the Democratic and Republican parties

seventh party system

Political commentary has focused on party polarization, campaign finance, changes in communication and data-management technology, and how they have all influenced party structure and functions.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

found that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.