US Political Parties Summary

US Political Parties

Duopoly

  • Democrats and Republicans have a duopoly.
  • They have won every presidential election since 1852.
  • They have controlled the US Congress since at least 1856.

Electorate Breakdown

  • Roughly one-third Democrats, one-third Republicans, one-third independents.
  • Numbers fluctuate around elections.

Party Organization

  • Series of cooperating organizations:
    • National party committees
    • State party committees
    • County party committees
    • Party committees in Congress

Party Functions

  • Recruit candidates likely to win.
  • Organize elections and mobilize voters.
  • Hold conventions every four years to declare the party platform and choose nominees.
  • Unite factions via a party platform.
  • Ensure plurality by offering an alternative to the ruling party.

Electoral System

  • Plurality system: winner-take-all.
  • Incentive against third parties that cannot win.

Advantages of Two-Party System

  • Stability
  • Moderation
  • Ease of choice for voters

Disadvantages of Two-Party System

  • Lack of choice due to party similarity.
  • Marginalization of some voters.

Party Platforms

  • Approved at national conventions every four years.
  • Platforms consist of planks addressing specific issues.
  • Give candidates a clear political position.

Political Ideologies

  • Democrats align with liberal ideologies.
  • Republicans align with conservative ideologies.

Definitions

  • Conservative Ideology: Small government, minimal economic intervention, private sector solutions, traditional morality.
  • Democratic Party: Aligns with liberal ideology.
  • Liberal Ideology: Government intervention for social services, equality, and non-regulation of private behaviors.
  • Progressive Ideology: Focus on addressing past wrongs and systemic issues.
  • Republican Party: Aligns with conservative ideology.
  • Communitarian: Emphasizes community needs over individual rights.
  • Green Party: Strong federal government, grassroots democracy, social justice, and environmentalism.
  • Libertarian Party/Ideology: Limited government intervention.
  • Nationalists: Promote national interests and superiority.