Political Parties in America
description
Transcript of Political Parties in America
![Page 1: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Political Parties in America
Re: admin questions, I need to see:
Taylor Sims
Jonathan Lin
![Page 2: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
For tomorrow . . .
www.3pc.net - party matchmaker
![Page 3: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Madison’s Factions
“By a faction I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.”
“Complaints are everywhere heard . . . That the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties . . .”
![Page 4: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
What are “political parties”?
Remember: “political participation”– Influence government policy by– Affecting choice of government personnel and/or– Affecting choices made by those personnel
Parties– Organized groups– Affect choice of government personnel by fielding candidates– Affect choices made by those personnel by creating norms of
reciprocity and group identification
![Page 5: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Three meanings of “parties”
Party organizations Parties in government Parties in the electorate
![Page 6: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Parties as “linkage institutions”
PartyOrganization
Electorate
Govt.Officials
![Page 7: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Party Myths
![Page 8: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Myth 1: Parties are monolithic
Reality: Party membership is quite diverse Example: 1850s, Republican party catered to
anti-slavery interests and commercial interests (focus on transportation infrastructure, etc.)
Example: Modern Republican party draws from socially conservative Christian population and economically conservative business interests
![Page 9: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Myth 2: Parties are static
Reality: Parties vary over time, in terms of issue positions and membership
Example: Democratic party dominated the white south until the middle of the 20th century, when civil rights issues drove white southerners to the Republican party
Example: 19th century Democrats emphasized states’ rights, limited federal spending, and literal interpretation of Constitution
![Page 10: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Origins of political parties
Madison’s fear of “factions” BUT, we’ve had parties from the beginning –
why?– People naturally form groups (“The latent causes of
faction are thus sown in the nature of man . . . .”)– Parties are useful
To us To elites
![Page 11: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
What Do Parties Do?
![Page 12: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Parties as “linkage institutions”
Act as a bridge between electorate and “elites” Provide benefits to both groups
![Page 13: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Candidate Benefits From Party Organizations
Campaign resources Information
– Issues– Electorate
Guidance Money
![Page 14: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Candidate/Leader Benefits From “Parties in Government”
Signal of similarity Group loyalty/trust Shorthand for talking to voters Voting on issues: cue Issue support
![Page 15: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
What do we, the voters, get from parties?
![Page 16: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Benefits to Voters
Cue to candidate positions: “heuristics” “Reliable” information about issues Easy way to give money Participation clearinghouse
![Page 17: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
What is “party identification”?
Individual voter’s psychological ties to one party (“I am a __________”)
NOT the same as ideology Formed early (often inherited from parents), rarely
changes in later life “Strength” of party identification
– Name only– Loyal voter– Party activists
![Page 18: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Importance of party in the electorate
Parties draw their strength from mobilization of voters Shifts in electorate support (electoral realignment)
– Identity of major parties– Issue focus of major parties
Decline in party identification (dealignment)– may reduce government efficiency– lead to “divided government”
![Page 19: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
In sum . . .
Parties and party labels provide information to candidates, politicians, and voters
Not surprising, then, that parties have endured What has changed?
– Identities and positions of parties– Strength of parties
![Page 20: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Party Strength and America’s Two Party System
![Page 21: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Parties as Linkage Institutions: How Strong Is the Bond?
PartyOrganization
Electorate
Govt.Officials
![Page 22: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Strong Parties
Have a lot of control over candidates and officials claiming the party identity– steering their policy positions– fostering a sense of mutual obligation and unity
among the party in the government
Directly and powerfully involved in mobilizing the electorate
![Page 23: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Weak Parties
Candidates who ally themselves with the party– do not necessarily share any common policy
objectives or ideological values– do not necessarily feel a sense of obligation and
loyalty to one another Political parties have very little influence over
the electorate– unable to mobilize voters– not able to get voters to vote down party lines
![Page 24: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
History of Party Strength
Late 1800s – Birth of “Political Machines”– Patronage– Emphasis on strength of party organizations
Progressive Movement “Reforms”– Literacy tests– Direct primary
Civil Service– Undermined patronage system
![Page 25: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
History of Party Strength
Mid 1900s – Decline of Party Organizations Party in electorate and parties in government
still strong Parties divided along “natural” social cleavages
![Page 26: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
History of Party Strength
Modern era – Parties relatively weak Party organizations not as strong Party loyalties in government and electorate slipping,
too– More split-ticket voting
BUT maybe rallying– Finding a new niche– Shifting emphasis from putting politicians and voters together,
to putting politicians and money together
![Page 27: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Arguments for a weak party system
Graft and corruption Censoring political agenda Party loyalties may detract from the job of
representation
![Page 28: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Arguments for a strong party system
Better voter heuristic Limit finger pointing => Group accountability Longer-term view of politics
![Page 29: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
America’s Two-Party System
![Page 30: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Overview
Why do we have a “two party system” in the U.S.?
If they cannot win national offices, what roles do third parties play in our system?
![Page 31: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Why a two party system?
Sociological explanation– Parties reflect underlying social cleavages– Not satisfactory
Why don’t U.S. parties reflect various combinations of social issues?
Why don’t U.S. parties reflect diverse economic and ethnic interests?
Institutional explanation– Electoral laws determine how many parties can be viable– Social cleavages only lead to splintering of parties when
electoral laws are sufficiently permissive
![Page 32: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Electoral laws: the geography of voting
Single-member districts– Electorate is divided up so that each seat in
government is associated with a particular district– That district elects only one representative
Multiple-member districts– Electorate may or may not be divided into districts– Even if electorate is divided into districts, the
districts elect more than one representative
![Page 33: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Single-Member Districts in “Quadria”
1
1
1
1
![Page 34: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Multiple-Member Districts in “Quadria”
4 Reps
![Page 35: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Electoral laws: three systems for choosing winners in elections
Plurality system (also called “first past the post”)
Run-off majority voting Proportional representation
![Page 36: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Multiple-Member District w/ Proportional Representation
Four representatives for district Single election for parties Example:
– Greens win 50% of vote– Communists win 25% of vote– Socialists win 25% of vote
![Page 37: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
What we have in the U.S.
Single-member districts Plurality elections (first past the post)
![Page 38: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Duverger’s “Law”
Election systems that rely on single-member districts and plurality (or first past the post) voting systems favor a two party system
Why?– People are strategic – The real competition is between the top two
candidates, so voting for anyone else is a “waste”
![Page 39: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Spatial Model of Duverger’s Law
ME
Green Party
Dems Reps
![Page 40: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Duverger’s “Law”
Election systems that rely on single-member districts and plurality (or first past the post) voting systems favor a two party system
Election systems with multi-member districts and proportional representation allow for multiple parties to thrive
![Page 41: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
BUT
Some countries have single-member plurality electoral systems but multiple parties (Canada, India)
Some countries have multi-member districts and proportional representation but very little party competition (Australia, Austria)
![Page 42: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Melding Sociological and Institutional Explanations
Two party systems arise from either– Single-member plurality systems OR– Homogenous population (like Australia and Austria)
Multi-party systems arise under these circumstances:– When the electoral system is multiple-member/proportional
AND the populace is fragmented– When the two parties become too removed from the electorate
so people start voting in expressive ways– When the heterogeneity in electorate is geographically
defined, so you have a whole bunch of small two-party systems (Canada)
![Page 43: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Bottom Line
Social factors and election rules both matter Given our social structure (social cleavages not
tied to geography) and our rules, U.S. tends to have a two-party system
![Page 44: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
But people still vote for third parties . . .
People who vote for third parties often “look like” people who don’t vote at all– Alienation– Indifference
Except that third-party voters have stronger sense of civic responsibility
Third party voting is expressive
![Page 45: Political Parties in America](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022070405/56813dc5550346895da78e32/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
What do third parties do?
Win local and state office Force the major parties to move to capture the
lost votes Get issues on the agenda through media
coverage and public awareness