Political Party Basics

Political Party Basics

What is a political party? The basic divisions within a party include: 1. Party electorate- rank-and-file members 2. Organizational- activists 3. Governmental- leaders in public office

Comparing political parties here and abroad U.S. (Big 2+3 rd ) 1. More independents than historical avg. 2. Parties decentralized (Federal, state, & local levels) 3. Broad range of issues that remain fluid to win elections 4. Public selects candidates through primaries/caucuses 5. Plurality elections Foreign Political Parties 1. Strong base easily mobilized 2. The national party runs the campaign not the candidates 3. Narrow focus on issue(s) 4. Candidates selected by party leaders 5. Proportional elections & representation in legislature

What is the ultimate goal of a political party? To control government by winning elections Once in control the party can set policy

What changes have occurred to alter the democratization of politics? 1. Expansion of the electorate + increase in party membership 2. Electoral College selection methods 3. Increased use of direct primaries and large party conventions

Having a party: Structure, Role, & Functions of Political Parties Structure Decentralized and fragmented Little involvement between national, state, and local organizations (opposite that of Europe) OYO when it comes to agenda/issue setting and selecting political leaders

Having a party: Structure, Role, & Functions of Political Parties Role Political parties help bridge the gap between citizens and the government

Having a party: Structure, Role, & Functions of Political Parties Functions 1. Disseminate information to the masses 2. Mobilize voters to take action 3. Articulate positions on issues 4. Run political campaigns 5. Organize blocs of voters into a winning coalition

Is the party over? Why is party affiliation decreasing? Voter dealignment 1. Significant increase in the independent voter More Americans claim to be moderate/independent rather than affiliate with Republicans or Democrats Increasing trend since the 1970s Reasons: 1. Growth of issue oriented politics v. party brand 2. Focus on candidate personalities TV trumps party loyalty 3. Loss of party credibility Increased distrust in government- Vietnam, Watergate, etc. 4. Perceived loss of connection to everyday citizens 5. Public trend to shed labels

2. Issue/candidate centered campaigns 3. Government performing services previously done by political parties

Is the party over? Why is party affiliation decreasing? 4. Loss of control by party leadership Patronage to civil service system Caucus to direct primaries 5. Growth and expansion of population Too many diverse/conflicting interests 6. Multiple forms of communication TV emphasizes personalities over party platforms Ability to directly reach the voters 7. No way of enforcing party loyalty All of these factors increase likelihood of split-ticket voting

No, the party is just getting started Two Party Perfection Reasons for two party strength: Historically provides strong competition Adapt & evolve to the political climate Unlike most European parties American parties frequently add new planks & alter party platforms to take on new issues in order to expand support

No, the party is just getting started Plurality/Winner-take-all/single member districts electoral system vs. proportional representation or run-off elections 1992 Clinton victorious with 42% of popular vote Electoral College (Presidential race) 1992 Ross Perot earned 19% of popular vote yet no votes from the Electoral College American voting habits Tradition- if it ain t broke don t fix it mentality Ease- Us vs. them (not them, them, and them) Don t care for extremes

Differences between the Republican & Democratic Parties

Party Platforms & Planks Platform Republicans Less government intervention/regulation in society & economy Lower taxes (especially for wealthy & corporations) Fewer government assistance programs, but more private community programs Oppose increased gun legislation Pro-life on abortion Strong military Oppose same-sex marriage Democrats Platform Increased government involvement in society & economy Favor progressive income tax More government programs to aid society Strong anti-discrimination laws are necessary Pro-choice on abortion Decrease military spending w/ surplus revenue to be used for social programs Favor same-sex marriage

Republicans vs. Democrats Males Gender Females

Republicans vs. Democrats Older Age Young *Seniors present the largest, most active voting bloc (past experiences form solid beliefs)

Republicans vs. Democrats Ethnicity/Race Whites (split to slight lean) Whites (split) Virtually all minority groups *Hispanic vote now key swing group -Largest growing minority group -Socially conservative but immigration issue causing a rift w/ Republican Party

Republicans vs. Democrats Protestants (split) Catholics (split) Southern evangelicals Bible Belt Religion Protestants (split) Catholics (split) Jews Secularists

Republicans vs. Democrats Socioeconomic factors Wealthy Middle class (split to slight lean) Lower income Middle class (split)

Republicans vs. Democrats More educated until post-graduate degree Education Generally lower educational attainment Advanced degrees

Republicans vs. Democrats Suburbs Geography Rural (split) Rural (split) Southern states (Sunbelt & Biblebelt) Midwest (split Rustbelt effect) Great Plains Rocky Mt. Western Libertarians Red states Urban centers Northeast Midwest (split Rustbelt effect) West Coast Blue states

Republicans vs. Democrats Geography Red States vs. Blue States Cartograms

Republicans vs. Democrats Voting habits

Republicans vs. Democrats Miscellaneous terms White collar Wall Street/CEO boardroom types NASCAR dads Suburban soccer moms Farmers Ignorant racist fascist knuckle-dragging NASCAR-obsessed cousin-marrying roadkill-eating tobacco-juice-dribbling gun fondling religious fanatic rednecks. Blue collar Union membership Progressives Environmentalists Equal rights groups- (same-sex, racial/ethnic minority, etc.) Godless unpatriotic pierced-nose Volvodriving France-loving leftwing Communist latte-sucking tofu-chomping holistic-wacko neurotic vegan weenie perverts.

Republicans vs. Democrats

Dazed and confused: Republicans vs. Democrats Cross-pressure voting Wealthy, black, educated, female with a strong evangelical faith

The after party: Third Parties in the American Political System Emergence of third parties usually surround an economic or social crisis Third Parties in the United States

The after party: Third Parties in the American Political System Why have third parties lacked success on a broad scale? 1. Democrats or Republicans seize the issue The big two have no set ideology only consistent goal is to secure enough votes to win elections 2. Throwing your vote away mentality People decide to vote for the lesser of two evils once a typical single-issue party s idea is adopted by the big two 3. Getting on the ballot Need 5% of vote in last general election to be automatically placed on next ballot

The after party: Third Parties in the American Political System 4. Fundraising challenge Throwing your money away mentality Difficulty in getting message out without money 5. Little media coverage Little, if any, free media coverage- debates, news interviews, etc. No money = no advertising 6. Plurality (winner-take-all) single member district system of elections instead of proportional representation