Unit 5 AP GOPO Linkage Institutions

Political Parties

play a formal role in both legislative and election processes, not mentioned in the constitution, but have been a mainstay in US elections by the third presidential election in the nation, unite those who share poltical ideals, enable them ot elect like minded representative

purpose of political parties

endorse candidates for office in return parties expect the candidate to remain loyal to goals defined by part leadership

How is the USA two-party system enforced

USA’s bipartisan system is reinforced by the nation’s electoral system(winner takes all, single member plurarlity districts)

single member plurarlity districts

(whoever has the most votes or wins, represets everybody

Party Characteristics

serve as intermediaries between people and government, made up of grassroot members(backbone, go door to door), activist members, and leaders, organized to raise money, present positions on policy, and get their candidates elected to office

How were political party candidates chosen in the past and how has it changed?

In the past, candidates were chose hierarchy with little or no public input. Since 1960, more states have passed laws requiring parties to select candidates through state-run primary elections

Do candidates pay for primaries?

Have to raise their own money for the primaries so the party can’t control them since the party doesn’t control the money

3 major subdivisions of political parties

1. Party among the electorate(voters enroll in and identify with political parties, generally vote for candiates who represent their party) 2. Party in government(government officials belong to political parties; they act together to pursue common goals, although regional and ideological differences subvert their efforts) 3. Party Organization(group of people who are neither elected officials nor average voters, party organization is made up of poltical professionals who recruit candidates and voters, organize campaign events, and raise money to promote the party)

Party Realignment

Occurs when the coalition fall apart, many making up the group defect to the other party, are rare and usually occur as a result of some major traumatic event (economic depression or war), signaled by a critical election,no realighments since the 1930s

dealignment

usually a result of party members becoming disaffected as a result of some policy position taken by the party, disaffected party members usually join no political party and cote for the candidates rather than the party, trend today in political parties

Example of dealignment

Since the 1960s, membership in the democratic party has declined significantly, while membership in the republic party has declined modestly (number of voters self-identifying as independents has increased dratically)

Functions of Modern Poltical parties(recruit and nominate candidates)

seek out candidates to run in their primary elections, create the rules by which candidate nominations(nomination by one of the major political parties almost always needed to win elections)

Functions of Modern Political Parties-provide campaign funds and support(

national parties have committes raising funds of house and senate campaigns, senate parties raise funds for candidates for both state and national officem organize governmetn activity provide balance through opposition of two parties

Functions of Modern Political parties-Reduce conflict and tension in society

2-party system promotes compromise and negotiation in 2 ways

Electoral College

The group that votes for the president the day after the new congress first meets in janurary, each state is represented by the number of representative they have plus the 2(or the number of senators), 23rd amendment gave electoral votes to DC(always has voted democrat), 48 states use a winner-takes-all syste in determining who receives their electoral votes

270 Electoral college

270 votes are needed which causes each presidential candidate to create a 270 strategy(More time is spent in larger states, More time and money is spent on swing states or purple states who tend to not always vote for the same political party)

Financing Campaigns

Presidential candidatess who meet certain prerequisites may receive federal funding, primary candidates who receives 10% of the vote can apply for federal matching funds, no public financing for congressional campaigns, but there are limits on the amount individuals give(PACS may donate)

Horse Race Journalism

News media tends to focus on their top candidates, or front runners, and gives very little if any attention to other candidates

Campaign advertisment

FEC requires a disclaimer on all campaign ads(I’m _ and I prove this message")

Mudslinging

Ads run by the opposition that focus on the negative characteristics of their opponent