Political Parties: 11

Political Parties - organized groups that attempt to influence the government by electing their members to political office. They differ from interest groups in that interest groups try to influence policy not elect members to government.

What do Political Parties do?

They recruit candidates to run for office

They get party members out to vote

They work in a variety of ways to promote the causes and issues of the party – Leadership in Congress is organized by party. Parties support or oppose the President’s agenda.

The United States has a two-Party system while many other nations have a multi-party situation.

First Party System

Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans

Federalists – New England merchants wanted to resume commercial ties with Britain and strong central govt.

Jeffersonian Republicans = southern agricultural interests opposed tariffs, wanted free trade and to establish ties with France

Fderalists collapse and until the 1830’s the US has only one political party the Jeffersonian Republicans who become the Democrats. The era is known as the Era of Good Feelings with just one political party.

Second Party System

1830’s a new group arises opposing Jackson – Whigs

Whigs – diverse group united by opposition to the Democrats- they win their first election in 1840 with William Henry Harrison- emphasized his personality and heroism rather than issues because they couldn’t agree on those.

1856 Whig party starts to fall apart and slavery begins to divide the nation. Many whigs become Republicans which pledges to ban slavery.

Civil and Post Civil War Parties

Republicans – President Lincoln and anti-slavery factions

Post Civil War South becomes solidly Democratic

1896 Republicans and Democrats

Populist 3^rd party emerges but gradually aligns itself with Democrats. Republican are successful and keep Democratic parties contained to the South.

New Deal Party System

Great Depression and the election of FDR who is a Democrat – economic recovery under the New Deal

Realignment of the Parties

Republican Party widens its appeal by standing up for smaller government and less governmental interference.

Democrats become associated with unionized works, upper-middle class intellectuals and professionals as well as minorities.

Third Party influences

Populist party- centered in rural areas of West and Midwest

Progressives

Reform Party – Ross Perot in 1996

Tea Party – not technically a 3^rd Party but was more conservative element of Republican Party

Party Identification – voter’s ties to one party or another

Red – Republican/Elephant

Blue – Democrat/Donkey

What Factors Influence Voting?

Socioeconomic Status – higher status higher probability of participating in process

Education level is single most important factor

Income is also important

Political Environment – what is happening

Competitiveness of campaign and issues