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Chapter 8

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

The first partiesFederalistsRepublicansRepublicans transform into Democrats

Andrew Jackson and grassroots partiesDependent upon voter supportDemocrats versus Whigs

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

Republicans versus Democrats: realignments and the enduring party systemEnduring two-party system since Civil War Partisan realignments during crises

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

Republicans versus Democrats: realignments and the enduring party systemRealignment: three basic elements

1. Divisive issues—disruption of existing political order2. Election—voters shift support strongly toward one party3. Enduring change in party coalitions to favor dominant

party

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

Republicans versus Democrats: realignments and the enduring party systemHistory of realignments:

Civil War—Republicans gain control1896—Republicans solidify control1932—Democrats gain control

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

The nature and origins of today’s party alignmentRepublicans

Dominant in SouthControlled presidency twice more than Democrats

since 1968Controlled both houses of Congress a third of the time

since 1968Missteps of Nixon and George W. Bush weakened power

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

The nature and origins of today’s party alignmentDemocrats

Dominant in NortheastCivil rights stance caused loss of power in SouthLess dominant party since 1968

Analysts divided on which party will have greater power going forward

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Party Competition and Majority Rule: The History of U.S. Parties

Parties and the voteStrength of party identificationRarity of true independentsStraight-ticket and split-ticket voting

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Electoral and Party SystemsPlurality (single-member-district) system of election

Contrast with multiparty system and proportional representation

Encourages two-party systemPolitics and coalitions in the two-party system

Seeking the center: median voter theoremParty coalitions

Broad and overlapping, but far from identicalGender gap

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Electoral and Party SystemsMinor (third) parties

Single-issue partiesGreenback Party

Factional partiesBull Moose Party, 1912

Ideological partiesGreen Party, 2000

Reform partiesReform Party, 1992

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Party OrganizationsThe weakening of party organizations

NominationsLoss of party control to candidates

Primary election/direct primaryHinders strong party organizations

Loss of party power over patronage

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Party OrganizationsThe structure and role of party organizations

Local party organizationsWhere 95% of party activists are

State party organizationsCentral committeeChairpersonConcentrate on statewide races

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Party OrganizationsThe structure and role of party organizations

National party organizations Structure of the national parties Run training programs for candidates and their staffs Runs presidential nomination conventions Major role in campaigns is raising and spending of money

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The Candidate-Centered CampaignCampaign funds: the money chaseOrganization and strategy: political consultants

Campaign strategistsPollstersMedia producersFundraising experts

Packaging: highlight aspects of candidate’s positions and background thought to be attractive to voters

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The Candidate-Centered CampaignVoter contacts: pitched battles

Air warsMain battleground: advertising through media

Ground warsWeb warsIn retrospect: the consequences of the last war

Prospective votingRetrospective voting

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Parties, Candidates, and the Public’s Influence

Stronger relationships between voters and representativesWeaker relationships between voters and representative

institutionsCandidate-centered campaigns add flexibilityCandidate-centered campaigns decrease accountability