Political Parties
Nature & Function of
Parties
What is a Party?
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Group of persons who seek to control
government through the winning of elections
and the holding of public office
The Republicans and Democrats are
election‑oriented
The names have little meaning (like some
sports teams e.g.
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Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz
Memphis Grizzlies
What do parties do?
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Nominate
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Inform
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insure good performance of each candidate
Govern
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informs the public on issues through campaigns and
criticism
but take stands which offend the fewest
Bond
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recruit, nominate, and support candidates for office
though party appointments
"spoils system"
Watchdog
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out‑of‑power party keeps the in‑power party in-line
The Two‑Party System
Why two parties?
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Historical
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Tradition
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"self‑perpetuating human institution"
"We've always had a 2‑party system."
Electoral
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Jefferson/Hamilton feud
election laws promote the 2‑party system
American Ideological Consensus
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most Americans share same set of basic political beliefs
two parties are relatively similar
AL & NL
Major League Baseball History
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American League
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Designated Hitter
Smaller ballparks
Natural grass
Homeruns
Offspeed pitches
White
Higher strike zone
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National League
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Pitchers bat
Bigger ballparks
Astroturf
Basestealing
Fastballs
Of Color
Lower strike zone
Multi‑party Alternative
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Most European democracies
Several parties based on religion, economic
class, and ideology
Coalition government
One‑party systems
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Dictatorships
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NAZI
Fascists
Communists
Baath
US regions
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Republican South
Democratic Coasts
Knox County, IN
Party Membership
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Voluntary
Cross‑sectioned
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both parties have
members from all groups
in US
Democratic
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African-American
Jews
Latino
Urban
Labor Unions
Younger
Graduate Degrees
Poor
Gay
The Coasts
Liberal
Republican
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Male
Businessmen
Professionals
Farmer/Rural
Older
Undergrad Degrees
Wealthy/WASPs
Evangelical
Roman Catholic
The South & West
Conservative
Why, individually
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Family
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Major events
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2 of 3 people vote the same as their parents
9 of 10 married couples vote same way
Great Depression
9/11
War in Iraq
Age
Place of residence
Minor, or Third Parties
Types
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Ideological
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Single‑issue
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concentrate on single public policy
name of party usually reflects purpose
Ex: Prohibition, Right-to-Life
Economic protest
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based on a particular set of beliefs
social, economic, political
Ex: Socialists, Communists, Libertarian
have "solution" to economic problem
Ex: Greenback, Populist
Splinter parties
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splinter away from major party
Ex: "Bull Moose"
Importance
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"Spoiler"
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ex: 1912 Teddy Roosevelt
1992 Ross Perot?
2004 Ralph Nader?
Critic & Innovator
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take clear stands on controversial issues (income
tax, women's suffrage, Social Security)
Party Organization
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Decentralization
Levels of Participation
Candidates
Activists
Voters
Parties & the Future
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Little respect or admiration
More "independents"
More "split‑ticket" voting
TV & Internet make candidates more
independent
Bottom Line: It still works.