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Political Parties & Interest Groups (Elections (Voting (Ticket…
Political Parties & Interest Groups
Political party: "A team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in duty constituted election."
Democrat
One of the 2 major contemporary parties in the U.S. In general they take a liberal stance on issues, and that the federal government should intervene in the economy and business
Republican
.One of the 2 major contemporary parties in the U.S. In general they take a conservative stance on issues, and that the federal government should not intervene in the economy and business
Party Competition:The battle between political parties for control in public office
3rd Party
Political parties other than the Republican and Democratic parties, rarely ever wins elections
Elections
National Party Convention
a convention of a major political party, especially one that nominates a candidate for the presidency.
National Committee
In charge of the national party when it is not assembled in convention
National chairperson
Responsible for day to day activities of the party
a formal and organized process of electing or being elected, especially of members of a political body.
Campaign Strategy
Success requires money,media attention, and momentum
Caucus
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.
Primary
Closed Primaries
Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.
Blanket Primaries
A primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties
Open Primaries
Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.
Voting
Retroactive voting: Voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office.
Proactive voting: Voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues.
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Rational choice theory
Assumes that individuals act in their best interest, weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives
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Assumes parties and politicians have pragmatic goals .
Criticism: no difference between Republicans and Democrats
Republicans and democrats end up having to forge different identities depending on who they are talking to.
Ticket splitting
Voting with one office and another with another office
Independents are most likely to split tickets
No state or race is completely safe due to split tickets
Divided government
Party Registration
The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when one registers to vote.
Party Identification
Dealignment
Dealignment
Realignment
occurs when a party undergoes a major shift in its electoral baase and political agenda
An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.
Independant party is fastest growing group
Party Platform
A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years
Incumbent: person already holding political office
Hard Money
Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed
Soft Money
Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes
Interest Groups
A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence for specific ends. They usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying
Examples
AFL-CIO
N.R.A.
Largest Interest Group
NAM
NRLC
AARP
Second Largest Interest Group
Lobbying
Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.
Pluralist theory
a theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.
Elite theory
a theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.
Hyper-pluralist theory
a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.
Free-rider problem
the problem faced by unions and other groups when people do no join because they can benefit from the group's activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the problem.
Task of Parties
Linkage Institutions
The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the gov't policy agenda.
5 Roles
Coordinate Policymaking
links voters with the government
Run Campaigns
Raise money and run ads
Pick candidates
primaries, caucuses, and conventions
Give cue to voters
Articulate Policies
Local parties
Party machines
A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern
Patronage
A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather merit
Party in Government
a political party as it exists with government officials that identify themselves as members of the party
Which party controls government has policy consequences
Party in the electorate
a political party as it exists with voters that identify themselves as members of a party
Party as an organization
a political party as it exists with leaders, offices, staff, and budget; keeps the party running
Due to progressive reforms, urban party organizations are generally weak
