Political Science 1100, Introduction to American Politics, February 23, 2009

POLITICAL PARTIES
 

1. Why do we have political parties? 
 

    - Ask James Madison - Why did he help create America's first political party?

    - to build coalitions of
               
                (1) legislators and other public officials,

                (2) candidates running for public office and

                (3) voters who would vote for candidates for public office.

 

2. The Reality of American Political Parties: The Two Party System

    A. Why Do We Have A Two Party System?
 

1) History: We've Always Had Two

     Since the 1850s, the Democratic and Republican Parties have
     dominated American Politics

   

2) Party Identification: People Tend To Stick With One Party

 

 

3) Consensus on Basic Ideals

 

    B. Why Does The Two Party System Persist?
 

 

Single Member, Plurality Elections Make It Difficult for 3rd Parties

The rules make it hard for "Third" Parties to sustain electoral success

    C. Are the Parties Different?

 

      In some ways, yes  - platforms, coalitions, policy performance

   

       In some ways, no - American values, background of officeholders.

 

3. Party Shifts

    A. How the Republican Party Won the South

       

 

    1) Before World War II, the "Solid" South voted overwhelmingly Democratic

 

    2) How Civil Rights Split the Democrats

       

         The career of Strom Thurmond

   

    B. The Northeast turns Democratic

 

5. Parties Today

    Parties are coalitions - but cross-pressures have torn at the parties for many years.

   

 

A. Party in the electorate - we are more independent minded, and less attached to the parties

 

B. Party in Government 
   

        - weaker coalitions than in comparable nations

 
 

        - American candidates have little control over their candidates

 

        - Partisanship has been very strong in recent years.

 

C. Party Organization

 

     The parties have become more like political banks
                              that collect and disburse funds to candidates

 

 

 

WHO CARES about the decline of parties?

To Become President, Or Governor, Or A Legislator,

    You Still Have To Win Elections

    -- But Without Strong Parties To Help,

       Your Tactics For Winning Have To Include
 
 

1). The "Candidate-Centered" Campaign

You Have To Rely On Yourself To Win Elections
 
 

2). If You Go It Alone And Rely On Yourself,

You Have To Advertise Yourself To Potential Voters

(That's Because They Won't Rely On Party Labels

As Much)
 
 

3. If You Advertise Yourself, You Need To Use

Mass Media, Especially Television, And

 
        You Need To Use Up-To-Date Campaign Techniques
 
 

4). If You Need TV And Consultants, You Need Lots Of Cash
 
 

5). If You Need Lots Of Cash,

You'd Better Spend A Lot Of Time Raising Money

And Finding People Who Will Donate It.

 

Election 2008

1. WINNING THE PRESIDENCY

    You have to win two games: the nomination, and the general election

    These games have two different sets of rules
 
 

A. To Win The Nomination,
    You Have To Win A Majority of The Delegates
    To The Party's Nomination Convention
    in the Summer before the general election

 

To Win delegates, you have to do very well in the
  Primaries and Caucuses

 

Turnout In the Primaries Is Low

    - about 20% of voters
 

 Turnout In Caucuses (like Iowa) is even lower.

 

 

 

 

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