Political Parties Collins – GOVT 2301 Revised Fall 2010.
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Transcript of Political Parties Collins – GOVT 2301 Revised Fall 2010.
Political Parties
Collins – GOVT 2301Revised Fall 2010
Definition
Group of persons who seek to control govt through the winning of elections and the holding of public office
Difference between Political Parties and Interest Groups (IG)
Key difference? Pol parties RUN CANDIDATES under their own label; IG only seek to influence
Pol parties have broad range of concerns, (platform); most IGs have a narrow, or single, range of topics
Pol parties are subject to fed, state and local laws and regs; IG are purely private and free of govt regs
Party Organization
3 parts– Party-in-the-electorate– Party as organization– Party in government
Party-in-the-electorate
People who perceive themselves as members of a party
How join? Just claim it! “I’m a _____.” Party ID and split-ticket voting = inverse
relationship
Party as an Organization
Keeps the party running in-between elections Makes party rules
– Old days of party machines and patronage Unifies various states’ groups into national
cohesive unit Formalizes the platform every 4 years at
convention– www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
Party in Government
Consists of elected officials Attempts to coordinate party policies into
legislation Spokespersons for party in the electorate Enacts party functions
Party = Linkage institution
A tool to connect a person with its government
Does not include constitutionally established institutions of govt such as Congress, courts, etc
Party functions
1. Nominating candidates and winning office– Recruit qualified candidates (screen and filter)– Operate machinery for elections– Manage smooth transition of power– Coordinate and assist, but no longer run,
candidates’ campaigns
Party functions –
2. Informing and activating supporters– Inform public of issues
Technical data Cost-benefits Propaganda
– Stimulate public participation– Channel public support/opposition– Give cues to voters– Build coalitions to win and later pass party agenda
Party functions –
3. Ensure good performance – “seal of approval” or bonding agent
– Ensure elected officials follow party platform as they represent the party (party reputation)
– Turn party platform into legislation – easier for majority party Unified party control = one party controls all parts of govt Divided party control = when each party controls at least one branch
of the govt
– Ensure party reputation for next election– Accountability to the voters
Party functions –
4. Party in government – Provide basis for how govt works– Defend status quo– Staff government
Party functions –
5. Watchdog– Conducted mostly by party out of office (minority)– Makes sure majority party does not abuse power
or rules– Guards the system
Party functions –
6. Policy making– Articulate and coordinate policy– Support party legislation
Downs model = rational-choice theory
Wise party moves toward center-- where majority of voters located
-- with broad public appeal
Goal of winning elections more important than party ideology
Parties differentiate slightly in order to create different IDs to create voter loyalty
Vs. Responsible Party govt –
Voters should have a clear choice among parties advocating distinct and different positions
Elected members vote for their party’s position
Majority party enacts its position into law
Responsible party govt – (cont)
Party accepts responsibility for performance of govt (collective responsibility)
Results in increased popular control of govt as votes correlate to clear policy directives; “you get what you vote for”
Obstacles to responsible party govt
1) Parties too decentralized to take a single natl position
2) Anyone can run for office, therefore party has no control over those who do run
3) No method for party to discipline wayward officeholders and ensure cohesion in policymaking
Weakening of Party power –
Influence of media; party no longer main sources of pol. info
Technology of campaigning; easy to bypass party in candidate-centered campaigns
Increased power of interest groups
Voters no longer need party to find out what candidate is like, issues, etc [TV, Internet]
Third parties ………
do EXIST!!!!!!!!
Functions of 3rd Parties
1) Vent for those upset with the system
2) Bring new groups into the electorate
3) Bring new issues to the political agenda
4) Critic of system
5) “Spoiler”; may effect electoral college votes (ex Perot ‘92, Nader 2000)
Types of 3rd Parties
Single issue party [ex. Prohibition Party, Free Soil Party]
Splinter parties – offshoots of a major party [ex. Bull Moose Party; Thurmond’s States’ Righters or Dixiecrats (’48)
Ideological party – broad pol beliefs radically dif from mainstream ex. Communist
Extension of an individual [ex. John Anderson (’80) and Ross Perot (’92, ’96)
Obstacles to 3rd Parties
1] Voters don’t want to waste their votes – assume only major 2 parties have chance of winning
2] State and federal laws favor the 2 parties – each state dif criteria for getting on ballot; fewer requirements, if any, for major partiesIn Congress, indep must choose to side with
Dem/Rep in order to make com’tee assignments
Obstacles [cont]
Winner-take-all sys win by one vote, cand gets all that state’s EC votes
US plurality sys of voting =df a type of electoral sys in which to win a seat in the rep body, a cand need only receive the most votes in the election, not a majority
US single member districts plurality election vs. multiple member district in other nations
Is the party over?
Party realignment?Usually requires critical election/crisis as voters shift
in large numbers to one party; also covers major party absorbing 3rd party
Party dealignment?Voters moving away from both parties to
independents
What part did I skip?
History of pol parties – from Federalists and Antifederalists to the present Republicans and Democrats, aka party eras
Why? Seldom asked on AP test
AP more emphasis on Fed-Anti debate, early dislike of factions (Madison and Washington), reasons for growth and decline in power during last 3 decades