Political Parties

Chapter 5
Parties and What They Do
Winning isnt everything, its the only
thing
Vince Lombardi
If you arent cheating, then you arent
trying.
Anonymous
What is a party?
A group of people who seek to control
government through winning elections and
holding public office
Like minded
Similar goals
Joined together on common principle
Want to bring about the adoption of public policy
2 Major Parties Big Tent
Republicans
Conservative
Closer ties to business
Personal
Responsibility
Limited Government
2 schools of thought
Western limited govt
Southern moral
issues
Democrats
Liberal
Free Enterprise
Civil Liberties
Equal Rights /
Opportunities
Big Government
Progressivism


Major Parties
NOT issue oriented
Election oriented
Each major party is a coalition
Many, many, many, many, different ideologies
What do parties do?
Political parties serve as a vital link
between citizens and government
Modify and compromise opposing views
Soften the impact of extremists

Nominating Function
Brining forth their cream of the crop to run
for office
The one function that sets them apart
Informer-Stimulator
Inform and stimulate votes
Educational process
Prove their side is right / Provide some
doubt in the opposition

Seal of Approval
Grants approval to candidates
Tries to ensure good performance from its
candidates
Governmental Function
Government is organized on party lines
Serve as channels of communication
Executive Legislative
Legislative Executive
Informal amendments
Watchdog Function
Throw the rascals out
The loyal opposition
Watchdogs of the opposing side
Watchdogs of themselves
2 Party System
Minor party less widely supported (list in
section 4)
Too idealistic? Not broad enough?
The two major parties dominate American
politics

Reasons
The Historical Basis:
The framers were opposed to parties
The ratification of the Constitution saw the
creation of parties
Unavoidable?
Force of Tradition
Because there has always been one
(TPS)
In other words, America has a two-party
system because America has a two-party
system.

Electoral System
Winner take all elections
The winning candidate has a plurality
(more votes)
Is a vote for a minor candidate a wasted
one?
Lets find out!
Electoral System
Considered lucky if you make it on a
handful of the national ballots
Ideological Consensus
Americans: same ideals, principles,
patterns of belief (most)
There is a general agreement on
fundamental matters
America is free of disagreements that
plague other societies
Is the political struggle one of personality or one of
competing ideas?
Middle of the road
Multiparty Systems
Argument for: its a more representative
sample
Voters would now have a real choice
Majority may become a forgotten concept
Coalition of power
One-Party Systems
Dictatorships only one party is allowed
No contrasting views
Similar things have happened in America

Party Membership
Parents affiliation
Major events in history
Wars, depressions
Higher income groups GOP
Lower income Dems
Other Factors:
Education, residence, work environment, etc.
Section 5: The Organization of
Political Parties
Both major parties are highly decentralized
and fragmented
The Reality of Political Parties
There is no chain of command in
federalism
Local parties are more often independent
Role of the Presidency
The Presidents party is most often more
organized
He is the leader of his party, asserts this in
various ways
No one of the other party is comparable to
the President
A loose mix of personalities
The Impact of Federalism
Half a million elected offices in U.S.
Major parties are highly decentralized
Main goal is to win seats, be in control
The Role of the Nominating
Process
Candidate selection is an intraparty
process
This process can be highly divisive
Causes fragmentation
National Party Machinery
4 Elements drive the national party
National Convention
National Committee
National Chairperson
Congressional Campaign Committees
National Convention
Meets in the Summer of every Presidential
election year
Nominate presidential and vice presidential
candidates
Also, party rules and writing of platform

National Committee
Most of its work centers on the Convention
Partys affairs are handled by this
committee between conventions

National Chairperson
Head of national committee
Work to strengthen the party in various
ways:
Raise money
Promote unity
New voters
Prepare for next election
Congressional Campaign
Committee
Work to reelect incumbents
Also take a hand to unseat incumbents of
other parties
Chosen by colleagues for 2 years
State and Local Machinery
State:
Built around state central committee and its
chair
Work to further the party within the state
Unity, funds, find candidates
Fragmentation
State and Local Machinery
Local:
Mostly inactive except for the months
surrounding election time
Ward unit into which towns are divided for
election of city council
Precinct voters that report to an individual polling
place
Breakdown can be as small as city blocks
Many insignificant offices to be filled on local
level
Three Elements of Party
1. The party organization
2. The party in the electorate
3. The party in government
Future of Major Parties
Period of decline and split interest
Party identification
Split-ticket voting
Reforms (conflict and disorganization)
Technology of campaigning
Single issue organization growth
The rise of PACs