Political Parties and Elections Summary

Political Parties

  • Political Parties: Organized groups aiming to influence government by electing members to local, state, and national offices.
  • Parties generally support incumbents in primaries, making it easier for them to fundraise compared to challengers.
  • Partisanship: Identification or support of a political party.

Role of Political Parties

  • Important link between the public and government.
  • Goals include winning elections, increasing political participation, and organizing congressional business.
  • Current parties are broad coalitions with no mention in the Constitution.

Recruitment and Candidates

  • Factions: Divisions within each party; include various groups like media, donors, etc.
  • Major function: recruiting quality candidates with leadership experience, fundraising skills, and good public recognition.

Party Identification

  • Reflects psychological ties to a party.
  • “Hidden partisans” share similar views with partisans but avoid labels; “Pure” independents are typically less engaged.

Two-Party System in America

  • Duverger's Law: Explains why America has a two-party system due to the plurality election system.
  • Republicans and Democrats have internal divisions (e.g., conservatives vs. progressives).

Realignments and Party Systems

  • Electoral Realignment: Significant shifts in party loyalty or the emergence/replacement of parties.
  • Historically, 6 distinct party systems have existed, changing due to major societal issues.

Third Parties

  • Often lack media coverage and face structural obstacles; not included in primary processes.
  • Less viable due to winner-take-all election systems, leading to feelings of wasted votes.

Interest Groups and Pluralism

  • Interest Groups: Organizations seeking to influence government policies.
  • Operate based on dissatisfaction with major parties, focus on specific issues.

Lobbying and Legislative Influence

  • Iron Triangles: Cooperation among congressional committees, agencies, and interest groups.
  • Direct lobbying includes personal contact and information provision.

Campaigns and Elections

  • Voting Turnout: Influenced by socioeconomic status, political climate, and state laws; 37-40% for midterms.
  • Voter ID Laws: Vary by state; Republicans advocate for them citing fraud prevention, while Democrats argue they suppress turnout.
  • Types of Elections: Include primaries, general elections, ballot initiatives, and referendums.

Test Questions Highlights

  • Incumbents raise more money through party support.
  • 538 total electoral votes, with 270 needed to win.
  • PAC contributions are limited to $5,000 per election, with certain regulations on dark money and donor disclosures.
  • Midterms generally see lower turnout than presidential elections.