Political Parties and Party Systems

Are Political Parties Good for Democracy?

• Political parties are groups of politicians, activists, and voters aiming to influence the government by getting their members elected.
• Their primary goal is to gain control of the government through elections.
• Political parties serve as linkage institutions.
• They differ from interest groups because while interest groups may endorse candidates, they don't recruit, nominate, or run campaigns.

Functions of Political Parties:

1. Facilitate collective action: Encourage civic engagement and participation by educating and mobilizing voters.
2. Recruit and nominate candidates: Support individuals with similar ideas who have the best chance of winning elections.
3. Manage campaigns: Provide support in organizing, fundraising, and determining media strategies.
4. Facilitate policymaking: Provide direction and leadership through members of Congress, including within congressional committees, to enhance the lawmaking process.
5. Provide a career ladder: Hold members accountable to party ideology by supporting career advancement for party-loyal politicians, promoting responsibility and discouraging selfishness among elected officials.

• A 2016 Gallup poll indicated a plurality of Americans identify as independent since 2010, though their ideology often leans toward one of the major parties.

  • Democrat: 28%
  • Independent: 42%
  • Republican: 28%

Arguments Against Political Parties

• Some argue that political parties are modern-day factions, echoing Madison's warning in Federalist No. 10 about the "mischiefs of faction."
• Critics believe parties create divisions, pushing people away from the political center, leading to gridlock and reduced congressional effectiveness.
• Some contend the two-party system is inherently flawed and incapable of addressing the nation's challenges.

Third Parties and Their Impact

• Despite over 40% of Americans identifying as independent, a third-party president hasn't been elected since 1860.
• Third-party and independent candidates have occasionally won electoral votes, significantly impacting presidential elections.
• In the 2016 presidential election, five different political parties were represented.
• The U.S. is considered a two-party system because Democrats and Republicans have dominated since the mid-1800s.

Proportional Representation:

• Many representative democracies, like those in Europe, use proportional representation.
• Each party gains legislative representation that mirrors its share of the popular vote.
• Instead of one representative per district, there can be several.
• Seats are allocated to parties based on their vote share.
• Coalitions may form among parties with similar ideologies to gain greater control in government.

Proportional Representation in Finland:

• Finland uses a multi-party system where each party nominates candidates equal to the number of available seats.
• In a four-member district, if eight parties exist, 32 names appear on the ballot, organized by party.
• Voters select a party, not an individual.
• For instance, if the Centre Party wins 50% of the vote, its top two candidates secure seats.
• Voters might influence the selection of top candidates for each party.
• The Finnish Parliament has 200 members in a unicameral system, with 13 legislative districts based on population.
• Four parties have recently dominated: the Centre Party, National Coalition Party, Social Democratic Party, and Blue Reform.
• After the 2015 elections, they held 49, 38, 35, and 19 seats, respectively.
• The Finns Party, with 17 seats, formed a coalition with the Centre Party and National Coalition Party.
• Finland has a president elected by popular vote who appoints a prime minister based on parliamentary elections, typically from the largest party.

Factors Limiting Third-Party Success in the U.S.

1. Single Candidate/Issue:
   • Third parties often focus on a single person or issue, limiting their appeal.
   • For example, Ross Perot in 1992 focused on reducing the federal budget deficit.
   • He criticized George H.W. Bush for breaking his promise not to raise taxes.
2. Lack of Prior Success:
   • Voters often perceive third parties as unlikely to win, not wanting to "waste" their vote.
   • Ross Perot's 1992 run lacked a modern precedent of third-party success.
3. Winner-Take-All System:
   • The candidate with the most votes in a state wins all of its electoral votes.
   • Even if a third-party candidate gets 25% of the vote, they win no electoral votes unless it's the highest percentage.
   • Ross Perot received 19% of the popular vote but no electoral votes.
   • The idea of a "wasted vote" becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, as voters follow others in abandoning third-party candidates.
4. Campaign Challenges:
   • Third parties face paperwork and signature requirements.
   • They struggle with a lack of media attention.
   • Campaign finance rules require a certain percentage of votes in the previous election to receive government funding.
   • Ross Perot largely self-financed his campaign in 1992, advocating for election reforms like shorter elections and free media air time for candidates.

Evolution of Political Parties

• Political parties evolve over time, influenced by global events and candidate-centered campaigns.
• Their role in nominating candidates has weakened.
• The policies and groups supporting parties shift due to evolving political ideas and third-party influence.
• Third parties significantly impact major parties by attracting voter groups, influencing their platforms.
• U.S. political history is divided into five to seven party systems, separated by critical or realigning elections that indicate shifts in party ideology, organization, leadership, and voter coalitions.

First Party System (1796-1828):

• George Washington opposed political factions.
• The Federalists supported a strong national government and ties with England.
• The Democratic-Republicans favored limited national government and trade with France.
• Candidates were chosen by caucuses, or meetings, of party leaders.

1796 Election:

• John Adams (Federalist) defeated Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican).

• Jefferson became vice president due to being the runner-up before the 12th Amendment.

  • John Adams (Federalist): 71 electoral votes
  • Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican): 68 electoral votes
  • Thomas Pickney (Federalist): 59 electoral votes
  • Aaron Burr (Democratic-Republican): 30 electoral votes

1800 Election:

• Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) defeated John Adams (Federalist).

• The Federalist party weakened.

• Electoral tie influenced the 12th Amendment, mandating the president and vice president to be elected together.

  • Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican): 73 electoral votes
  • Aaron Burr (Democratic-Republican): 73 electoral votes
  • John Adams (Federalist): 65 electoral votes
  • Charles C. Pinckney (Federalist): 64 electoral votes

War of 1812:

• England's conflict with Napoleon influenced the War of 1812.
• The war led to the collapse of the Federalist Party due to their British sympathies.

Era of Good Feelings (1815):

• The Missouri Compromise addressed the expansion of slavery.
• The Federalist Party declined, with widespread support for the Democratic-Republican Party.
• Sectional divisions emerged over slavery.

1824 Election:

• The Democratic-Republican party splintered into factions.

• Andrew Jackson won the most electoral votes, but not enough to win outright.

• The House of Representatives chose John Quincy Adams, leading to accusations of a deal.

  • Andrew Jackson (Democratic-Republican): 99 electoral votes
  • John Quincy Adams (Democratic-Republican): 84 electoral votes
  • William H. Crawford (Democratic-Republican): 41 electoral votes
  • Henry Clay (Democratic-Republican): 37 electoral votes

1828 Election:

• Andrew Jackson defeated John Quincy Adams, starting the Second Party System.
• Jackson's campaign focused on the "common man," expanding suffrage to more white males.

Second Party System (1828-1860):

• The Whig party formed as an anti-Jackson party.
• Democratic presidents dominated this era.
• New political processes were established, including a central party committee and state party organizations.
• The caucus system ended, replaced by state and national conventions.

1840 Election:

• William Henry Harrison (Whig) won the presidential election.

• A major economic downturn in 1837 gave the Whigs a platform to oppose the Democrats.

• Campaigns began to resemble modern campaigns, with advertising focused on candidates.

  • William H. Harrison (Whig): 234 electoral votes
  • Martin Van Buren (Democrat): 60 electoral votes

1860 Election:

• Slavery became the primary concern.

• The Whigs divided and declined.

• The Democrats split over slavery.

• The Republican party formed on an antislavery platform.

• Abraham Lincoln (Republican) defeated John C. Breckinridge (Democrat), launching the Third Party System.

  • Abraham Lincoln (Republican): 180 electoral votes
  • John C. Breckinridge (Democrat): 72 electoral votes
  • John Bell (Constitutional Union): 39 electoral votes
  • Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat): 12 electoral votes

Third Party System (1860-1896):

• The U.S. became a stronger two-party system, but with new dynamics.
• Parties grew stronger but remained sectional.
• Southern states leaned Democratic, while the north supported Republican.

1896 Election:

• Rapid social and economic changes led to protest parties like the Populists.

• The Populists merged with the Democrats, nominating William Jennings Bryan.

• William McKinley (Republican) won, leading to the Fourth Party System.

  • William McKinley (Republican): 271 electoral votes
  • William J. Bryan (Democrat): 176 electoral votes

Fourth Party System (1896-1932):

• This system was marked by Republican dominance.
• The Democrats incorporated views of the Populist Movement.

1932 Election:

• The Great Depression influenced the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat).

• Roosevelt promised government support for public welfare, leading to the Fifth Party System.

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat): 472 electoral votes
  • Herbert C. Hoover (Republican): 59 electoral votes

Fifth Party System (1932-1968):

• The Great Depression ended Republican dominance.
• The Democratic Party incorporated support from northern city dwellers, Catholics, unions, African Americans, and women voters.
• Parties modified policies to appeal to various demographic coalitions.

Sixth Party System (1968-present):

• Richard Nixon (Republican) won the 1968 election.
• 1968 was tumultuous due to Vietnam protests, assassinations, and the Civil Rights Movement.
• Regional demographic shifts occurred due to the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
• The South became primarily Republican, while the Democratic Party is supported by those in urban areas, minority groups, and women.

Potential Seventh Party System

• Some experts believe the U.S. has begun a seventh party system.

• Factors include party polarization, campaign finance, and changes in communication technology.

• Campaign finance reforms, like the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) ruling, allow wealthy donors to influence campaigns, reducing the role of parties.

• Changes in communication technology allow direct access to candidates through social media, potentially bypassing party structure.

• The rise of communication and data-management technology may have contributed to a new party system.

• The Internet opens avenues of free advertising and campaign fundraising.

• The press' filter between politicians and the people is declining as people have direct access through social media.

• This new way to handle communication and collect funding directly affects political party structure.

• People are hired just to manage the party's, or candidate's, social media presence.