Download Chapter 17 Notes Fall 2016

Functions of Political Parties
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Political parties are an integral part of
the American democratic system.
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Parties bring key issues to public
attention and involve people in the
political process.
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Political parties help the government
operate smoothly, and they dispense
political patronage.
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The winning party implements its key
policy initiatives, and the losing party
is a “watchdog.”
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Parties contribute to political
stability.
Party Systems
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One-party systems are usually found in
nations with authoritarian governments.
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Minor parties exist in two-party systems,
but two major political parties compete
for power.
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In multi-party systems, several parties
often combine forces in a coalition
government.
Evolution of American Parties
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Opposing political parties had organized
before the end of President Washington’s
second term.
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The Federalists and the DemocraticRepublicans disagreed over federal versus
state power.
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The Democratic-Republican party split
into the Democrats and the Whigs.
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In the 1850s, a new Republican Party
opposed the spread of slavery.
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Following the Civil War, the two dominant
parties were Republican and Democrat.
Minor or Third Parties
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Third parties have been on the American
political scene since the early days of
the Republic.
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A third party generally forms as a
single-issue party, an ideological party,
or a splinter party.
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Minor parties have influenced the outcome
of national elections.
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As a result of the two-party tradition,
third parties face a number of obstacles.
Political Ideology
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People with a liberal ideology are more
willing to trade economic freedom for
greater equality.
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People with a conservative ideology tend
to believe the role of government should
be limited.
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Most people are moderates, falling
somewhere in between liberal and
conservative.
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Currently, the Democratic Party is more
liberal and the Republican Party more
conservative.
Party Platforms
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Both the Democratic and Republican Party
agree on a number of foundational beliefs
and values.
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The Republican Party supports the rights
of individuals as opposed to large
government.
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The Democratic Party supports
governmental involvement in many areas.
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The Green Party is more liberal and the
Constitution Party more conservative.
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The Libertarian Party supports personal
responsibility and minimal government.
Party Identification
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Party identification is a state of mind;
voting is a behavior.
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The Republican Party tends to attract
white, male, educated, and religious
people.
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The Democratic Party tends to attract
women, minorities, and young people.
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The Democratic Party tends to be stronger
in the Northeast and in cities.
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The Republican Party tends to be stronger
in the suburbs, South, mountain West, and
rural areas.
Political Party Polarization
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The two political parties have become
more polarized and ideologically
homogenous.
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Both parties now tend to nominate
ideological, rather than centrist,
candidates.
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Conservative “Tea Party” organizations
helped shift Republican Party ideology to
the right.
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This more extreme party membership leads
to increased political gridlock.
Party Organization and Membership
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Each party needs strong leadership and
good organization at all levels.
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At each level, the party endorses and
works for the election of its candidates.
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Fundraising is a key function of state
and national parties.
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Generally, citizens join a political
party when they register to vote or vote
in certain elections.
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Party membership provides a way for
citizens to increase their influence on
government.
Selecting Candidates to Represent
the Party
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A vital function of political parties is
to nominate candidates for elected
office.
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To get onto the ballot, a candidate must
file by fee or by petition.
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Candidates are chosen by caucuses,
primaries, or conventions.
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Rules for presidential primaries vary
among the states and even within many
states.
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Primaries are a long, costly process and
states with late primaries may receive
less attention.
National Party Conventions
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Every four years, delegates for each
major party select a ticket for the
November election.
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Many delegates are pledged to a
candidate, but others are uncommitted.
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Delegates to the convention debate the
various planks before adopting the
party’s platform.
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Delegates vote state by state, but there
is rarely a mystery about who will be
nominated.
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The party’s presidential nominee is
usually the one who selects the vicepresidential candidate.