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Political Parties & Interest Groups (Tasks of Parties (Articulate…
Political Parties & Interest Groups
Republican Party
Established March 20, 1854
Original beliefs: anti-slavery , decentralized government with limited powers
Federalism- arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and sub governments
Market Liberalism- allowing market forces to develop without outside intervention
Conservatism- commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation
Social Conservatism- preservation of traditional beliefs and values
Fiscal Conservatism - a political-economic philosophy regarding fiscal policy an fiscal responsibility advocating low taxes , reduced government spending , and minimal government debt
Candidate must be nominated at the Republican National Convention
Tasks of Parties
Pick Candidates
Run Campaigns
Give cues to voters
Articulate policies to public
Party Platform: Statement of a party's goal and policies for the next four years
Coordinate policymaking
Linkage Institutions: Channels through which public concerns become political issues placed on the Governments agenda
Democratic Party
Established January 8, 1828
First fully Democratic president was Andrew Jackson
Original beliefs: The Democrats believed that the states should retain as much power as possible. The federal government should only have the powers absolutely necessary for the nation to function. The Democrats emphasized the rights of the individual. This was a message that was especially well-received by small farmers and factory workers. Slave owners also favored this message, fearing that the federal government might try to end slavery. The Democratic Party also called for the territorial expansion of the United States.
Modern Beliefs
Accessible Healthcare: having the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best health outcomes
Equality: the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Environmental regulations: rules and requirements that generally cover two things: Pollution control: regulating how much pollution (chemicals or other undesirable materials such as "heat", "suspended particulates" ) a facility releases.
Active government
Middle class tax cuts
More social programs to help out those in need
Candidate must be nominated at the Democratic National Convention
More young people, minorities, small business owners, and females are democrats
Party Eras: Historical periods in which a majority of votes belong to the party in power
Critical Election: An electoral "earthquake"
Party Realignment: The displacement of the majority party usually during a critical election
1796-1814: The First Party System
Federalist: First political party
1828-1852: Jackson and Democrats vs. Whigs
Modern party formed by Jackson
Whigs formed mainly to oppose Jackson Democrats
1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras
Republicans Rise as anti-slavery party
1896 election centered on industrialization
1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition
New Deal Coalition: Composed of Democrats, urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics, Jews, Southerners, and the poor
1968- Present: The Era of the Divided Party
Divided Government: One party controls the presidency while another controls the Congress
Party neutrality: people indifferent towards the two parties
Caused by party dealignment: people leaving parties
Political parties
: A team of men and women seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.
Parts of Political parties:
Party in the Electorate
Party as an Organization
Party in Government
Party in the Electorate
Party image: A voter's perception of what Republicans or Democrats stand for
Party identification: A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other
Ticket Splitting: Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices
Party in the Government
Coalition- A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends
Party Members actually elected to Government
Party as an Organization
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 than merit; used by party machines- Due to progressive reforms, urban party organizations are usually weak
National Party Organization
National Convention- The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and the party's platform
National Committee- One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions
National chairperson- responsible for day-to-day activities of the party
50 State Party System
Closed Primaries: Only those registered with that specific party can participate in the vote for the parties candidate
Open Primaries: Voters decide on election day which party primary they want to vote in
Blanket Primaries: Voters presented with a list of candidates from all parties the day of the primary
Primary: Elections in which voters in a state vote for a nominee / or delegates pledged to the nominee
Third Parties and Their Impact
Third Parties are electoral contenders other than the two dominating parties(Democrats and Republicans)
Important as they bring in new ideas and act as "safety valves" for popular discontent
2 Party System
Discourage extreme views
Contribute to political ambiguity
Multiparty System
Winner-Take-All System: Legislative seats awarded only to first place winners
Proportional Representation: Legislative seats awarded based on votes received by the party
Coalition Government: Two or more parties join to form a majority in a national legislature
Party Responsibility
Parties make comprehensive programs
Candidates committed to programs
Majority of Party must carry out programs
Majority of party must take responsibility
Downs Model
: Relationship between parties, voters, and policy
Rational Choice Theory
Assumes that individuals will act on their own best interest
Parties have pragmatic goals:
win elections
Pursue policies that have broad public appeal
Republicans and Democrats must form separate identities depending on who they're speaking to
Modern Ideology
