Comprehensive Study Guide on Political Parties in the United States
Definition and Purpose of Political Parties
Political parties are defined as organizations that identify people to run for office with the specific goal of taking over and controlling the government.
This primary objective—direct control of government through the election of candidates—is what distinguishes political parties from interest groups. While interest groups attempt to influence the political process and governmental outcomes from the "behind the scenes," political parties run candidates to directly fulfill the wishes and agendas of the parties themselves.
In the United States, there is a long-standing, time-honored tradition of a two-party system, which sets the American political structure apart from many other countries.
The Three Faces of Political Parties
Political parties express themselves through three distinct "faces," each representing a different way to understand the party's role and function in the system:
The Party in the Electorate: This face consists of the voters. Any citizen registered as a member of a party (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, etc.) is a member of that party at the electorate level.
The Party Organization: Political parties are vast private, corporate-like organizations that are not under direct government control. They function at multiple levels:
National Level: e.g., the Democratic National Committee (DNC) or the Republican National Committee.
State Level: Each state has its own state party committee.
County Level: Local committees exist in every county (e.g., a County Democratic Party committee in California).
Functions: These organizations are responsible for fundraising, creating party platforms, and deciding how to allocate resources to get candidates elected.
The Party in Government: This face refers to all currently sitting, active politicians who are members of that party. This includes the President in the White House (the top official for their party) as well as every other officeholder at the local, state, and federal levels.
Party Platforms and Evolving Priorities
A party platform is a comprehensive list of the positions a party takes on various issues. It serves as a guide to what the party stands for and its policy priorities for a specific election season.
Platforms typically contain between $12$ and $16$ different items or policy priorities.
These platforms evolve over time; every few years, certain issues are removed, and new ones are added. While changes might not be stark from year to year, comparing platforms across decades reveals significant shifts in party values and priorities.
Historical Roots: The Democrats and Republicans
The Democrat Party:
Known as the world's oldest active political party still in existence today.
It was founded approximately $200$ years ago during the presidency of Andrew Jackson.
Today, it is associated with liberalism and the left-leaning side of the political spectrum.
The Republican Party:
Founded in the $1850s$ as a result of the abolition movement during a peak period of political tension regarding slavery.
The Republican Party originally emerged as a "third party" or minor party.
Abraham Lincoln was their first successful presidential candidate in the $1860$ election.
Historically, the party was founded on principles of abolition and workers' rights, which differs from its modern association with conservatism.
Realignment and the Switch in Party Identity
Realignment: A concept describing a strategic shift in who a party appeals to, often occurring over a short amount of time. Realignments can give rise to new parties or radically change the direction of existing ones.
The 1960s Realignment: Perhaps the most famous realignment occurred during the $1960s$ under the presidencies of Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon.
Previously, the Democratic Party dominated the Southern states and was associated with the Jim Crow era.
Following the $1960s$, the electorate flipped. The Republican Party now maintains a "stranglehold" on the Southern states, attracting the types of voters who previously supported the Southern Democrats.
Evolution of the Party System
The First Party System:
Roots go back to the summer of $1787$ during the drafting of the Constitution.
Federalists: Pro-Constitution, favored a strong national government. Key figure: Alexander Hamilton (or John Adams).
Anti-Federalists: Favored state power and were skeptical of the Executive branch and the new Constitution. They later called themselves the Democratic Republicans (also known as Jeffersonian Republicans or Jeffersonians). They are not related to the modern Democrat or Republican parties. Key figure: Thomas Jefferson.
The Era of Good Feelings:
A unique period, primarily during James Monroe’s presidency, following the War of $1812$.
The Federalist Party effectively collapsed, leaving the Democratic Republicans as the only major party (a one-party state).
This era was characterized by national pride and a shift from identifying with states (e.g., "I am a Virginian") to identifying as Americans (national unity symbolized by the red, white, and blue).
The Jacksonian Split:
The Era of Good Feelings ended with infighting following Monroe’s presidency.
The Democratic Republicans split into the Jacksonian Democrats (led by Andrew Jackson) and the Whigs (a party formed by those opposed to Jackson and the remnants of the Federalists).
The Rise of the modern GOP:
By the $1850s$, the issue of slavery became explosive (e.g., John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry).
Minor parties like the Know Nothing Party, the Free Soil Party, and the Anti-Slavery Party emerged.
The Republican Party emerged from these roots, and since the $1860s$, the U.S. has been dominated by the Democrat and Republican parties.
The Role of Third Parties and Independents
Third Parties (Minor Parties): Organized as alternatives to the big two.
Current notable examples: The Libertarian Party and the Green Party.
Other regional examples: The Working Families Party (prevalent in California).
The Unicorn Metaphor: Third parties are likened to unicorns—mythical creatures that are unlikely to be seen winning power in the current system.
Impact: While they rarely win, they can influence major parties to adopt specific issues they would otherwise ignore.
Independents: Voters or candidates who do not belong to any political party.
A plurality of American voters are registered as independents, rather than Democrats or Republicans.
2024 Independent/Minor Candidates:
Dr. Cornel West: Prolific former Harvard professor (Independent).
Dr. Jill Stein: Representing the Green Party.
Chase Oliver: Representing the Libertarian Party (fiscally conservative, socially progressive).
Primary Elections and Disenfranchisement
Primary Election: A vote within a political party to decide who will represent that party in the general election. These usually occur in the Spring or early Summer (around March).
General Election: The final election held in November of even-numbered years.
Critique: In many states, independents cannot vote in primary elections because they are not members of a party. This means the pool of candidates in the November general election is pre-selected exclusively by party members, which critics argue disenfranchises independent voters.
Critiques of the Party System
Lack of Constitutional Basis: The Constitution does not authorize or mandate the structure of Congress based on parties. The concepts of the "Majority," "Minority," and "Whips" were created by elite politicians over time.
Polarization and Gridlock: Partisanship often leads to extremes and prevents the government from solving problems for regular people.
Money in Politics: Modern parties have become massive fundraising operations beholden to wealthy donors rather than voters.
Rational Abstention Thesis: A political science theory suggesting that people who choose not to vote (apathetic voters) may have a rational reason for doing so, as they correctly perceive that the system does not structurally provide them with real representation.
George Washington’s Farewell Warning
In his farewell address, George Washington warned future generations about the dangers of "factions" (his term for political parties).
He predicted that the rising power of faction risked tearing the country apart, a warning that many observers believe has come to pass in the modern era of extreme polarization.
Questions & Discussion
Question: Why do we have only two major political parties in this country?
Response: The "winner-take-all" system is the primary mechanism responsible for maintaining and perpetuating the two-party system. In this diagram/system, the structure makes it nearly impossible for third parties to gain a foothold.
Question: Are parties bad for democracy?
Response: While organizing with like-minded people makes sense in theory, the details of how parties operate—hijacking the structure of Congress, focusing on money, and suppressing independent voices—suggest they may be detrimental to the ideals of liberty and justice.