POSC101 Midterm PT 4: Political Parties and Theories

Aldrich: Why Parties Exist

Parties are endogenous institutions — created by politicians to serve their interests (not external constraints imposed on them).

1st problem parties solve

Social Choice Problem: Aggregating preferences into stable collective decisions (avoiding cycling, instability)

2nd problem parties solve

Collective Action Problem: Coordinating behavior, overcoming free-riding, pooling resources

3rd problem parties solve

Ambition Problem: Helping politicians achieve career goals (fundraising, electoral support, advancement)

Conditional Party Government (CPG) Theory

Party strength is conditional on member preferences.

1st key conditions for Strong Parties:

High intra-party homogeneity — Members within each party agree on policy

2nd key condition for strong parties 

High inter-party heterogeneity — Parties are far apart ideologically

What is the result of the two key conditions for strong parties?

Members delegate power to party leaders.

Why delegate? When both conditions met:

• Leaders share members’ preferences (low risk of shirking)

• Stakes are high (parties far apart = bad outcomes if you lose)

• Coordination needed to win fights

• Benefits of delegation outweigh costs

CPG Explains Historical Variation: 1950s-1970s: Weak Parties

• Southern Democrats conservative

• Northern Democrats liberal

• = Low intra-party homogeneity

• Members didn’t delegate to leaders

CPG Explains Historical Variation: 1980s-Present: Growing Party Strength

• Party sorting (realignment)

• Each party internally unified

• = High homogeneity + heterogeneity

• Members delegate to strong leaders

Cartel Theory (Cox and McCubbins)

Majority party uses procedural control to protect its collective “brand” through a procedural cartel (a monopoly on the procedure).

Negative Agenda Control

Preventing bills that would divide or embarrass the party from reaching the floor for a vote.

How the Cartel Works: 1st Gatekeeper

Speaker of the House: sets floor schedule, recognize members, refers bills

How the Cartel Works: 2nd Gatekeeper

Rules Committee: determines debate terms for each bill (Speaker appoints members)

How the Cartel Works: 3rd Gatekeeper

Committee Chairs: Control committee agendas (all majority party members)

Evidence:

Majority party loses less than 5% of floor votes (“roll rates”) because damaging bulls never come up.

CPG Theory; When strong?

When preference conditions met

CPG Theory; Main power

Positive agenda control (pass bills)

CPG Theory; Emphasis 

Variation in party strength 

CPG Theory; Mechanism

Delegation to leaders

Cartel Theory; When strong?

Always (brand protection)

Cartel Theory; Main power

Negative agenda control (block bills) 

Cartel Theory; Emphasis

Baseline party power

Cartel Theory; Mechanism

Procedural gatekeeping

Synthesis: 

Both theories are complimentary and help explain today’s Congress. Cartel provides baseline gatekeeping power (always present); CPG explains variation in positive leadership and discipline (conditional on preferences).

How do CPG and Cartel compliment each other?

CPG explains why leaders get power.
Cartel Theory explains how they use that power to maintain control and unity.