Chapter 8: Political Parties

What Is a Political Party?

A group of political
activists who organize to
win elections, to operate
the government, and to
determine public policy.
How are parties
different from interest
groups?
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Ralph E. Becker Collection /Smithsonian Institution
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Political Parties vs. Interest Groups
Political Parties
Run government
Select candidates
Multiple issues
(party platform)

Interest Groups
Influence government
Support candidates
Often a single issue
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The Three Components of Political Parties
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Functions of Political Parties
Recruit candidates to run for elective offices at all levels
of government

Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections

Bear the responsibility of operating government at all
levels

Provide organized opposition to the party in power
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Where the Voters Are
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History of Political Parties
The Formative Years:
Federalists/Anti-Federalists
(1789-1816)

The Era of Good Feelings
(1816-1828)

National Two-Party Rule:
Whigs and Democrats
(1828-1860)

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The Granger Collection, New York
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The Golden Age of Parties
The Civil War Crisis

The Post-Civil War Period
(1865-1896)
Rum, Romanism,
and Rebellion
The Triumph of the
Republicans
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Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute,
neg #98-4290
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History of Political Parties
The Progressive Interlude (1896-1932)

The New Deal Era (1932-1968)

An Era of Divided Government (modern period)
After 1968, the general pattern was often a
Republican president and a Democratic Congress
2000 Presidential Election (Red vs. Blue States)
Parties in relative balance 9
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Election 1896
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Election 2004
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Election 2008
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The Two Major Parties Today
The parties core constituents

Economic beliefs
Recent economic convergence?
Cultural politics
Democrats have the reputation of
supporting the less-well-off,
Republicans the prosperous
Regional factors
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Income and Party Identification
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Republican and Democratic Issues
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The Three Faces of a Party
1. The people who identify with the party or who
regularly vote for the candidates of the party in
general elections
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Three Faces of a Party (cont)
2. Party Organization

National
Convention delegates
National Committee
National Chairperson
State party organization
Local (grassroots) organization
Patronage and city machines
Local party organizations
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2008 National Conventions
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Three Faces of a Party (cont)
3. The Party in Government

Divided Government

The Limits of Party
Unity

Party Polarization
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Andy Levin/Photo Researchers, Inc.
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Ethnic Politics and the Campaign
for the White House
This report discusses the
importance of the Hispanic
vote during the 2008
presidential election.
Airdate: 7/13/2008

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Click the icon to open the movie
Video Supplied by Motion Gallery
Video Questions
1. What concerns might Hispanic voters have
that other voting blocks do not share?
2. Why is there a historic rivalry between
Hispanics and blacks in some states?
3. What was Bushs appeal to Hispanic voters
in the 2004 election?
4. Which party is most likely to appeal to
Hispanic voters in the next election?

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Why Has the Two Party
System Endured?
Duality

Political socialization and practical considerations

The Winner-Take-All Electoral System
Presidential Voting
Popular Election of the Governors and President
Proportional Representation

State and Federal Laws Favor the Two Parties
Ruling parties work to remain in control
No party organization to join as independents
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The Role of Minor
Parties in U.S. Politics
Ideological Third Parties
Green Party

Splinter Parties

The Impact of Minor Parties
Influencing the Major Parties
Affecting the Outcome of an Election
Spoiler in 2000 Elections?
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Policies of
Selected
American
Third Parties
Since 1864
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Mechanisms of Political Change
Realignment (occurs about every 32-36 years)
Civil War era

1890s

Great Depression

Nixons victory in 1972 seemed to be a
realignment, but Watergate changed this
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Mechanisms of Political Change
(cont)
Minor realignments
1980s conservative movement
Shift of white southerners to Republican party
Northern blue-collar workers to Republican party
Many professionals turn to Democratic party
Religious cleavage

Makes Republican party more conservative,
Democrats more liberal: but neither party
dominates


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Mechanisms of Political Change
(cont)
Dealignment: A major drop-off in support for
the parties.
Independent Voters
Not-So-Independent Voters

Tipping (demographically-based change)
Often due to immigration
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Party Identification:
1937Present
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A New Direction in 2008
2008 Elections bring change
Democrats regain political momentum
Control White House AND Congress
Obama wins five key Republican states

Growing political divide between Democratic and Republican agendas

Political Maneuvering = Less Responsive Government

2010 Elections indicate a new direction?
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Questions for
Critical Thinking
1. Do democratic governments need political
parties? If a democratic government has
political parties, will the structure always be a
two-party system?
2. What factors impact how many political parties
will exist?
3. Is party identification a major factor for voters
in presidential elections?
4. Do political parties make government more
responsive?

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Questions for
Critical Thinking
5. Why is it difficult for independent candidates or
minor party candidates to get elected to
Congress?
6. What inferences can be made about the voting
population through the closely divided elections
of 2000 and 2004?
7. Between 2008 and 2010, how did the interests
and mood of voters change?

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Web Links
The White House
GOP.com
The Democratic Party
National Republican Senatorial Committee
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
The National Republican Congressional
Committee
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Web Links
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
GOP.gov
Townhall.com
National Political Index
The Greens/Green Party USA

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