Chapter 5: Political Parties “A party of order and stability, and a party of progress or reform,...
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Transcript of Chapter 5: Political Parties “A party of order and stability, and a party of progress or reform,...
Chapter 5: Political Chapter 5: Political PartiesParties
““A party of order and stability, and a A party of order and stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both party of progress or reform, are both
necessary elements of a necessary elements of a healthy state of life.”healthy state of life.”
-John Stuart Mill--John Stuart Mill-
What is a party??What is a party??
• Political party – a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office– i.e. Democrats, Republicans, Green
Party
What do parties DO??What do parties DO??
• Major function – nominating candidates for public office
• Inform the people– Campaign for their candidates
• Congress and State legislatures aligned with party lines– Conduct business with strong support of party
and its policy stands
• Act as a watchdog over conduct of public’s business
Electoral SystemElectoral System
• Single-Member Districts – only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot– Member with a plurality (the largest
number of votes) wins the office• Two-party system
– Two major parties exist and compete• Democrats and Republicans
– Election laws shaped to preserve this system
Origins of Political Origins of Political Party SymbolsParty Symbols
• Political cartoons drawn by Thomas Nast– Also created Santa
Claus and Uncle Sam
• Cartoon published in Harper’s Weekly in 1874– First use of elephant
as the Republicans– Donkey appeared
for Democrats in 1870
Tell me about Democrats..Tell me about Democrats..
• Also known as…– Liberals, Left-wing
• Mascot…– Donkey
• Democrats support…– Social welfare programs– Government regulation of business
practices– Efforts to improve the status of minorities– Strive to support and protect the idea of a
government run by the people
More about Democrats…More about Democrats…
• In general, who votes for Democrats?– African-Americans– Catholics and Jews– Union members
Tell me about Tell me about Republicans…Republicans…
• Also known as…– Conservatives, Right-wing, GOP
• Mascot…– Elephant
• Republicans support…– Play of private market forces in economy– Less government involvement in social
welfare programs
More about More about Republicans…Republicans…
• In general, who votes for Republicans?– White males– Protestants– Business community
Minor Parties in the USAMinor Parties in the USA
• 4 types of minor parties– Ideological parties
• Comprehensive view of issues• i.e. Socialist, Communist Parties
– Single-issue parties• Focus only on one public-policy matter• i.e. Right to Life Party
– Economic protest parties• Disgusted with major parties• i.e. Populist Party
– Splinter parties• Split away from major parties• i.e. Progressive Party of 1912
Why are minor parties Why are minor parties important?important?
• 1st to use a national convention to nominate presidential candidate in 1831
• Strong 3rd party candidate can pull votes from major parties
• Roles of critic and innovator– Take clear-cut stands on controversial issues– Bring important issues to attention of people
Party OrganizationParty Organization
• Decentralized, fragmented, often much internal squabbling– President’s political party is generally
more organized than opposing party• President is automatically party leader
National Party National Party MachineryMachinery
• 4 basic elements– National convention
• Party’s national voice – nominate presidential candidates, write party platform
– National committee• Organize national convention (every 4 years)
– National chairperson• Leader of national committee – chosen by presidential
candidate, ratified by committee• Directs work of party’s headquarters and small staff in
D.C.
– Congressional campaign committee• Work to re-elect incumbents, make sure seats given up
stay within the party (2-year term)
State and Local Party State and Local Party MachineryMachinery
• State organization– Built around a State central committee, headed
by a State chairperson– Works to further the party’s interest in the state
• Finding candidates and campaign funds• Building effective organization and party unity
• Local organization– Party unit for each district in which elective
offices are to be filled• Wards – unit into which cities are divided for city
council representatives• Precinct – smallest unit of election administration, all
voters in a precinct report to one polling place
Components of a PartyComponents of a Party
• Party organization– Leaders, activists, etc.
• Party in the electorate– Electorate – voting population– Party’s loyalists who regularly vote the
straight party ticket
• Party in government– Party’s officeholders