Copy of Political Parties

The Two Party System

• Historical Context
• Political Socialization
• Winner-take-all, Single member district, Plurality

Each district has one winner (single member district)

Each district is winner-take-all

District boundaries draw to create safe seats

Political Parties

Three Faces of the Party

Purposes

• Choose Candidates
• Organize Elections
• Operate Gov't
• Make Policy (Platform and Planks)- Economic, Domestic, International
• Oppose the party in control

Electorate

Members of the Voting Public that have become party members

Era of Divided Government

New Deal Era

Origins of the two-party system

Back to Two Party Rule

Post war Democratic/

Duel-Federalist Period

Republicans Growth and Progressive movement

• Democrats
• Republicans

• Democrats
• Republicans

• Democrats
• Republicans
• Progressive Parties

• Democrats
• Whigs (formerly the Democratic-Republicans)- Formed the Republicans as the Civil War approached

• Federalists
• Anti-federalists (became the Democratic-Republicans or Jeffersonian Republicans

Era of Good Feelings

• Democratic-Republicans

Organization

1968

Today

1896

1932

1828

1860

1816

1789

Exists on three levels

• National
• State
• Local (Party Machine)

Our major parties are large groups of people that encompass a wide range of political issues

• The two party system is historically based in the Federalist/Anti-Federalist Movements

The structure that organizes elections, chooses candidates, etc.

Examine the dealignment and

realignment of the parties in the timeline.

Were any of these states a function of tipping?

Republicans

Democrats

National Party Organization

• Powered by the National Committee (lead by the party chairman- Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), Reince Priebus (R))
• Raises Campaign Funds
• Maintains Relationships with the State Parties
• Organizes the Party Convention
• Decides the delegate rules (who gets to come to the convention and participate)
• Decides the proportion of delegates per state to the convention
• Apportions funds to races around the country

Core Constituents

• Upper-income
• Business People
• Evangenical Christians
• Sub-urban, Rural Dwellers

Core Constituents

• Low-income
• Minorities
• Educational professionals
• City Dwellers

Third Parties

Ideological Parties- Party that represents one interest

• Ex. Green Party, Rent is too damn high party, Politicians are corrupt party (AKA Politicos son corruptos)

Splinter Parties- Unhappy major party members that form their own party

• Ex. Bull Moose Party

Local Party Organization (Machine)

• Known historically for patronage
• Grassroots campaigning (National, State, Local Elections)- Foot Soldiers
• Base of recruiting new membership (although this is changing in the digital age)

State Party Organization

• Powered by the State Central Committee (lead by the party chairman)
• Organize State Convention
• Raises Campaign Funds
• Decides where to distribute campaign funds
• Maintains Relationships with Local Party Machines
• Decides on day of National Primary/Caucus
• Decides how to split the delegates they are alotted
• Decides the types of Primary/Caucus

Economic Beliefs

• Lower Budget for Social Programs
• Less Government regulation of Business
• Higher Military Budgets

Social Beliefs

• Marriage between men and women
• Pro-life
• Religious involvement in government

Economic Beliefs

• Higher Social Program Budgets
• More Business Regulation

Social Beliefs

• Gay Marriage
• Pro-choice
• Separation between Church and States

Party in Government

Those elected to an office in the government from a party

Goals- Make policy, enact policy, oppose the party in power (divided government- often a result of ticket splitting: when a person votes for multiples parties on the same ballot)

The United States 2-Party system brings together a coalition of diverse interest and people as illustrated by the different groups that align with the parties above.

Leadership in Congress and Presidency are a mix of governmental and party positions

Most members of Congress are more loyal to their constituency (group/area they represent) than their party

• Party unity is enforced through a rank and file system