Political Parties Notes

US Government

Instructor Information

  • Name: Weylan Craig

Title: Political Parties Notes

Ideology

  • Definition: A belief about the purpose or role that government should play in society.

What is a Political Party?

  • Definition: A group of people with similar ideologies that work to advance their ideology through the political system.

  • Related Concepts:

    • Faction: A smaller, dissenting group within a political party.

    • Third Party: Any party other than one of the major parties, which includes the Republicans and Democrats.

4 Things to Learn about Political Parties

  1. What functions do political parties perform in our society?

  2. How are the political parties represented in our society?

  3. What is the basic history of the major Political Parties? Why do they continue to dominate?

  4. Why do Political Parties matter to each individual in our society? What are the issues?

Functions of Political Parties

  • Recruit/Nominate Candidates: Parties recruit and nominate candidates to run for elective offices at all levels of government.

  • Informing Supporters: Political parties provide information and mobilize their supporters regarding political issues.

  • Watchdog Function: Political parties serve to hold each other accountable, ensuring that the governing party does not abuse its power.

  • Govern at Various Levels: Political parties have a role in governance at local, state, and federal levels, enacting policies that align with their ideologies.

Why Has This Two-Party System Endured?

  • Historical Foundations: Early issues faced by the young nation typically had two sides (supporters and detractors of the Constitution), leading to a two-party system.

  • Political Socialization and Practical Considerations:

    • Congressional seats are divided between the two major parties, making it practical for voters to choose between them.

  • Winner-Take-All Electoral System:

    • Especially evident in presidential voting, where the candidate that wins the most votes takes all electoral votes in a given state.

  • State and Federal Laws Favoring Two Parties:

    • Some states impose stricter requirements on third parties, making it more challenging for them to gain a foothold in elections (e.g., gathering more signatures)

    • Campaign finance laws limit the funding available for third-party candidates, further entrenching the two-party system.

Most Successful Third-Party Campaigns

  • Historical data of notable third-party presidential campaigns since 1864:

    • 1892 - Populist (James Weaver): 8.5% of popular vote, 22 electoral votes.

    • 1912 - Progressive (Theodore Roosevelt): 27.4% of popular vote, 88 electoral votes.

    • 1924 - Progressive (Robert LaFollette): 16.6% of popular vote, 13 electoral votes.

    • 1948 - States' Rights (Strom Thurmond): 2.4% of popular vote, 39 electoral votes.

    • 1968 - American Independent (George Wallace): 13.5% of popular vote, 46 electoral votes.

    • 1992 - Independent (Ross Perot): 18.9% of popular vote.

    • 1996 - Reform (Ross Perot): 8.4% of popular vote.

    • Note: *Byrd received 15 electoral votes from unpledged electors.

The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics

  • Third Party: Defined as any political party other than one of the major parties.

  • Longevity Factors: Third-party longevity often depends on the ideological convictions and issues these parties represent.

  • Splinter Parties: Smaller parties that emerge from major parties due to ideological differences (e.g., Tea Party).

  • Impact on Elections: Minor parties can influence major parties by shifting political discourse and may affect election outcomes by siphoning votes from major candidates.

Political Parties Today

  • Voting Trends: The current landscape of voter preferences shows the dynamics of party loyalty and performance.

Linkage Institutions

  • Definition: Pathways that allow individuals to communicate their political preferences to policy makers.

  • Examples:

    • Political Parties (that govern, execute beliefs, and recruit).

    • Interest Groups.

    • Elections.

    • Media.

Mechanisms of Political Change

Dealignment

  • Definition: A major drop-off in party loyalty.

    • Party Identification: Links individuals to a particular party.

    • Independent Voters: Decline in straight-ticket voting, with many voters now identifying as independent or fluctuating (Swing Voters/Leaners).

Realignment

  • Definition: A substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, resulting in long-term changes in the political landscape.

  • Examples of Realignment:

    • Lincoln’s election marked the beginning of Republican dominance; Nixon’s election reflected the appeal of Republicans in the South.

The Three Faces of a Party

  1. Party-in-the-Electorate: Individuals who identify with the party and vote for its candidates in elections, awaiting cues from the party.

  2. Party Organization: The formal structure and leadership of the party.

    • National Convention: Held every four years to elect presidential candidates and create the party platform.

    • Party Platform: An outline of the party's policies, positions, and principles, developed by the party organization.

    • National Committee (DNC, RNC): Plans and promotes party activities, led by party elites.

    • State and Local Organizations: Engage grassroots efforts.

  3. Party-in-Government: Elected and appointed officials belonging to the party.

    • Divided Government: Occurs when different parties control different government branches.

    • Party Polarization: Enhanced distinctions between parties.

    • Ticket Splitting: Voting for candidates from different parties in different government branches (e.g., a Republican president and a Democratic senator).

Brief History of Political Parties

  • Early Political Leaders:

    • George Washington: Warned of the dangers of political parties.

    • Thomas Jefferson: Expressed skepticism about parties, yet aligned with the Federalists.

The Birth of the Two-Party System

  • Originated from divisions present during the ratification of the Constitution.

  • The first political parties: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, clashed in the Election of 1800.

A History of Political Parties in the United States

  • The Era of Good Feelings, marked by limited political competition, ended due to rivalries (e.g., John Quincy Adams vs. John C. Calhoun).

  • Democratic Party: Evolved from Thomas Jefferson's Republican Party, initially led by Andrew Jackson, promoting personal liberties.

  • Whig Party: Emerged as a counter to Andrew Jackson’s presidency, focusing on internal improvements.

  • Civil War Politics: Issues solidified party positions, leading to the formation of the Republican Party as an anti-slavery entity.

The Progressives and Beyond

  • Driven by a desire for government intervention against big business, the Progressives advocated for reform.

  • The Great Depression: Highlighted the failures of the Republican policies under Herbert Hoover, which allowed Franklin Roosevelt’s election and strengthened Democratic influence until 1968.

The Era of Divided Government

  • Post-1968 pattern often saw a Republican president alongside a Democratic congress.

  • 2000 Presidential Election: Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote, revealing a sharp division of states into red (Republican) and blue (Democrat).

The Two Major U.S. Parties Today

  • Republicans: Typically supported by upper-income individuals, business people, evangelicals, and rural populations in regions like the South and Great Plains.

  • Democrats: Generally supported by lower-income citizens, labor unions, various ethnic groups, and urban dwellers, primarily in the West Coast and Northeast.

Economic Beliefs

  • Democrats: Favor social welfare spending and government regulation of businesses.

  • Republicans: Advocate for private markets, self-reliance, and limited government involvement.

Political Issues in the 2020 Elections

  • Key issues included economics (job creation), national security, immigration, and economic equality for Democrats; maintaining order and handling immigration were significant for Republicans.

Political Party Issues for the Future

  • Potential future issues include:

    • Economic Development

    • National Security/War

    • Healthcare Reform

    • Immigration

    • Foreign Diplomacy

    • International Trade

    • Environmental Policy

    • COVID-19 responses

  • Fundamental question: How will the parties address these critical issues?