Why does the U.S. have a two- party political system? (and how well does it work for us?)What is a political party? e@ an organization of people that seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political powerThe Founders Views on Political Parties “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion. _- George Washington “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism." - George Washington “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.” - Thomas JeffersonThe message to the right? Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin; neither are protecting the American people H nex Tose ; aN ean Many critics of our 2- re f zs. 7) VOTE DEMOCRAT? party system favor a MULTI-PARTY system.The illusion... (ise) ..0f free choice.And yet, political scientists have often argued that the party system has done much to foster democracy. Why? “Political parties created democracy...and democracy is unthinkable save in terms of parties.” - 20th c. American political scientist EE. SchattschneiderFunction of Political Parties e@ Organize ideas to promote the public good — Articulate a broad political philosophy — organize a political platform by defining specific concerns — give cues to voters, ie. what it means to be a Republican, a Democrat — Unify similar minded people e Legitimize opposition by offering an alternative perspective/policy/approachFunctions of Political Parties e@ Provide process for nominating/endorsing political . candidates — Until 20th c. this was done by f parties with little to do with the P mi VOTE — Progressive era ushered in the PRIMARY ELECTION, a popular vote used to select the favored party candidateFunctions of Political Parties e@ Organize and coordinate political campaigns F > ~ AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! cone aon se GROUND Piro a1 se +2016 4President.usSpoor Campaign Slogans: nS ae A al Un raT aT Hill. ae ya] Just like Bill except no sex stuff OUT TOGETHER. ff LOUD! IRRATIONAL! / NOISES!The US is somewhat unique in its use of the two- party system.Alternative Party Systems Single Party Systems: e One party exists e Other parties typically made illegal e No real choice or political debate as the only differences that exist are among the party leaders Multiparty Systems: e Allows for unlimited competing parties e Allows for a great deal of competition and choice e Also can lead to greater conflict e Used by the vast majority of democraciesSo why does the U.S. use the Two Party System? Political tradition began with competing visions between two individuals (Hamilton and Jefferson) US political conflict has often been | Nag a _| about the size of government - which 7 as butt | lends itself more to two two parties thi a “ld ne other types of conflicts (ie. class) Winner takes all voting system (as opposed to proportional representation) - Why does this encourage a two-party evetem?Existing Winner-Take-All parties rules make rules to perpetuate their power Only one How the winner (loser gets fA two-party nothing) Fewer parties sy) stem flourish perpetuates itself Strategic Voters choose voting and Lack of voter not to support the "wasted support discourages parties that they vote' theory formation do not view of minor Fas, as viable , a partiesTwo-Party v. Multi-Party Systems Multi-Party (used by most democracies): Coalition government is necessary (parties must work together as their is rarely a majority party in power) Minor parties have an incentive to persevere Proportional representation Govt is often more responsive to the will of the people Greater choice for people Government tends toward instability as coalitions get together and fall apart Two-Party: Winner takes all system “Wasted vote syndrome” discourages minor parties Political change tends to be incremental Promotes centrism as parties must appeal to the masses too seek more votes from the “other side” - move away from extreme positions Results in a majority of citizens getting the candidate they voted for (vs. a plurality) Government tends toward greater stabilityArgument for the US to adopt a multiparty system: =What role do third parties play in a two-party system? (and why is it so hard for third parties to gain influence?)Usually third parties are: e Built it around an ideology or an interest (ie. Green Party primarily focused on environmental issues and consumer protection) e Split off from one of the two major parties (ie. Roosevelt’s Bull Moose/Progressive Party in the 1912 election) e@ Focused ona charismatic individual (ie Ross Perot, Reform Party, 1992)Why does America’s electoral system lead to the situation presented in the cartoon to the left? How does the cartoon below depict (rather pessimistically) the way Americans conceive of third party candidates? “You can try but its preity small in bere..the swater’s going cold and the good soap is gone.”PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION new tampstie Nocer ole. Dede November 7, 2000 60% Nader vote: 13,312 Victor HB coe J cush ELECTORAL VOTES Bush, 271 Gore: 267 BS Needed fo win’ 270 “ POPULAR VOTE F Gore: 50,996,116 (48.424 Bush, 80466169 (47 9% Nader “2,537.066 “(27% Buchanan: “447,798 4%) . Other: 595,176 6%) , ist Ae is sar" ame B Biren, Court ch RE gape Wa) eee Sees So XN Nader vole 97,d00, ow Seber sara 60% Nader vote: 58. 492 ballots will never be talliedWas it fair for Democrats to blame Nader for Gore’s i ? loss in 2000? __..Daily Show Interview with Ralph Nader: http:/Avww.cc.com/video-clips/dgockh/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-ralph-nader e According to Nader, what strategies do dominant parties in various states use to diminish the influence of third parties? How some states make it more difficult for third parties to appear on the ballot? e@ Why does Nader believer that third parties are an essential element of a democratic society?Examples of popular third parties in US History? Green Party (3% of vote in 2000) Libertarian Party (1% of vote in 2012) Socialist Party (Eugene V. Debs, 6% in 1912) Reform Party (Ross Perot, 19% of vote in 1992) e Populist Party 1892 and 1896More obscure 3rd parties in the US today: The Pirate Party (f. 2006) Ideology: e Pirate politics e Hacker ethic e Techno-progressivism e Freedom of information e Civil libertarianism e Open governmentUS Marijuana Party (f. 2002) Ideology based on: e Anti-prohibitionism (cannabis) e Civil libertarianism e End of War on Drugs *Endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson for president in 2012 electionWhat are the most significant roles third parties play in a two-party system?Role of Third Parties While a third party has never won an American presidential election, they have been quite influential, ie: e Challenging the major party can change the outcome of elections (ie. Ralph Nader, Green Party, 2000) lt] Nader for the Red, White A Blue Dame re,Role of Third Parties e Third parties have won state and local elections (ie. when professional wrestler Jesse Ventura, Reform Party, became governor of Minnesota)Role of Third Parties e Influencing policy/platforms of dominant parties- MOST IMPORTANT ROLE - (ie. Populist Party in the late 19th c.) Party Platform included: - direct election of Senators = graduated income tax = old age pension - increased reg. of corporations Never got a member elected to national office, BUT both Democrats and Republi pressured to incorporate many Populist issues into their platformIf you’re curious, why the donkey and the elephant?Why the Donkey and the Elephant? Presidertial candidate Andrew Jackson was the frst Democrat ever to he associated wih the donkey symbol. His opponents during the election of +1828 tied to label him a "Jackass" for his populist beliefs and slogan, "Let the people rule." Jackson was entertained by the notion and ended up Using it to his advantage on his campaign posters. This isthe frst cartoon depicting the Democratic donkey, 1937Political cartoonist Thomas Nast is credited with st represented the press as a donkey in lion's clothing (though the party itself is shown as a shy fox), expressing the cartoonist” s belief that the media were acting as fear mongers. propagating the idea of Ulysses S. Grant as a potential American dictator. In Nast's donkey-in-lion's- clothing cartoon, the elephant representing the Republican vote- was running scared toward a pit of chaos and inflation making the elephant the m —— we j “The Third Term Panic: An ass, having put on the Lion’s skin, roamed about in the forest, and amused himself by frightening all the foolish Animals he met with in his wanderings.” E