Political Parties Study Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Understand formation and change of political parties.
  • Recognize sources of party identification and political polarization.
  • Describe roles of political parties in elections.
  • Explain how political parties organize government and influence policy making.

What Are Political Parties?

  • Organizations that aim to influence government by electing members.
  • Act as intermediaries between elected officials and citizens.
  • Formed through political conflicts or organized groups seeking power.
  • Provide cues for voters (party heuristics) amid complex policy debates.
  • Characterized by a two-party system in the U.S., as predicted by Duverger’s law.
  • Political polarization is a prominent feature of the U.S. party system.
  • Historical reliance on patronage in party organizations (e.g., party machines).
  • Internal factions exist within parties, leading to varied beliefs.

Party Identification and Polarization

  • Party identification: Voter's psychological ties to a party; influenced by demographics.
  • Strong identifiers are more likely to participate in voting and party activities.
  • Independents are voters without formal party alignment.
  • Increasing polarization leads to negative sentiments towards opposing parties (affective polarization).
  • Third parties influence national elections, focusing on issues overlooked by major parties.

Parties and Elections

  • Parties recruit and nominate candidates for office.
  • Primary elections allow voters to select candidates for general elections.
  • Involvement in voter registration impacts voter turnout.
  • Closed and nonpartisan primaries exist in various states.
  • Party organizations function at all government levels, consisting of active members.
  • National committees play crucial roles in campaigns and party organization.

Parties in Government

  • Leadership in Congress tied to party majority status (e.g., Speaker of the House).
  • Distinction in philosophies and constituencies among parties.
  • Internal factions and disagreements exist alongside major party differences.
  • Parties provide organization within Congress, impacting leadership and committee systems.
  • Increased power and unity for party leaders during policy votes.
  • Party leaders serve as policy entrepreneurs to expand their coalition.