chapter 16: political parties
TRANSCRIPT
American Political Parties – Chapter
Sixteen
Political Parties.
“A political party is a group of people with broad common
interests who organize to win elections, control government,
thus influence government policies.”
Political Parties
1. Parties can be principle-oriented, issue-oriented, or election-oriented.
2. The two major American political parties are election-oriented.
Political Parties in the US Getting Elected?
Spatial Model of Elections
1. All political issues can be represented on a single dimension, left-to-right scale. All voters, parties, and politicians can be placed on that scale.
2. People on the far right are the most conservative.
3. People on the far left are the most liberal.
4. People in the middle are moderate.
5. People vote for the candidate closest to them on the scale.
The Spatial Model leads produces the Median Voter
Hypothesis
The best possible position for a politician who cares only about winning is in the center.
3. Political Parties in the US
Extremely Liberal
Extremely Conservative
0 10050
Median Voter
Candidate A Candidate B
Why do we have a two-party system?
3. Political Parties in the US
Extremely Liberal
Extremely Conservative
0 10050 BushKerryNader
Third parties rarely / never win
3. Political Parties in the US
Extremely Liberal
Extremely Conservative
0 10050 YOUObama McCain
What Do Political Parties Do?
1. Recruit the BEST candidates to run for office.
2. Inform and educate the voters concerning important issues.
3. DEFINE the issues to the voters.
4. Influence government action and policies.
5. Win government office so its party can govern.
What do parties do…Continued.
Act as a Watchdog—Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a
blunder or bad behavior to use against them in the next election.
One Party Systems
1. The single political party IS the government.
2. A S.P.S. is always a dictatorship.
3. Why?
1. Examples:
Iraq under the Baath Party.
Iran - Theocracy
China today.
North Korea today.
Vietnam today.
ANY/ALL command economy!
One-Party Systems
Chapter 5, Section 2
Types of One-Party Systems
Example:
Mexico .
Modified One-Party Systems where one party regularly wins
most elections
One Party Systems where only one party is
allowed.
Example:
Dictatorships such as China.
Two Party System – U.S.Republicans
1. Hamiltonians.
2. Adam Smith – Economist.
3. Reps. Started out as the Federalist Party – 1789.
Hamilton v. Jefferson
Democrats1.Jeffersonians.
2. John Maynard Keynes – Economists.
3. Started as the Anti – Federalists and then became the Democratic – Republicans. 1789.
Federalists vs. Jeffersonian Republicans
The Comparison
Adams’ T.V. Political Ad.
Anti Jefferson Add
Why Only Two Political Parties In U.S?
1. Winner take all.
2. NO representation by coming in second!
3. Voters “Don’t want to throw their vote away.”
Multi Party Systems.1. Most democracies have a multi party
system.
2. Many different IDEOLOGIES represented in government.
3. A COALITION government must be formed after the election.
Multiparty Systems
Chapter 5, Section 2
Advantages:1. Provides
broader representation of the people.
2. More responsive to the will of the people.
3. Give voters more choices at the polls.
Disadvantages: 1. Cause parties
to form coalitions, which can dissolve easily.
2. Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government.
Death of Federalist Party.1. War of 1812.
2. New England states tried to negotiate a separate peace treaty with England.
3. Rest of country saw this as treason.
4. End of Federalists.
“Era of Good Feelings”1816-1824.
1. With only one political party, Democratic-Republicans, There was very little public political fighting.
2. Politically, things seemed O.K.
Democratic – Republican Spilt - 1828
Democrats 1. Andrew Jackson –
Leader of the Democrats.
2. “Born in a log cabin.”
3. “Robbed” of the 1824 election by the “Corrupt Bargain.”
Whigs 1. Accused Jackson of
being a “Big Wig.”
2. This was an insult.
3. The “Big Whig” accusers become known as the Whig Party.
4. Most Ex Federalists joined Whig Party.
Second Party
System 1828-1856
Democrats
• Led by Andrew Jackson.
• Used party organization to mobilize voters.
• Used new convention system to select party nominee.
Whigs
• Built a coalition of Northern Industrialists and rich Southerners.
• Led by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay at times.
Slavery and Political Parties.1. By the 1850’s the anti slavery factions, Whigs and
Republicans, joined together and became just the Republican Party.
2. Anti slavery.
3. Pro national bank.
4. Pro internal improvements.
5. Pro free land in the west.
6. Pro protective tariffs.
Democrats.1. Pro slavery.
2. Anti national bank.
3. Anti free land.
4. Anti internal improvements.
5. Anti tariffs.
Civil War Results.1. Republican Party in control of country for years, till
end of 1920’s. Hamiltonians in control.
2. Democratic Party hangs on by the skin of its teeth.
3. Senate system helps Democratic Party regroup and build its power over time. The Grey Beard System!
Great Depression and the Rise of the Democratic Party.
1. 1920’s is height of Republican power.
2. Hamiltonians in control. “Trickle down theory.”
3. Calvin Coolidge: “The business of America is business.
4. Great Depression(1929) sweeps Republicans out of office. F.D.R. elected President-1932.
“The New Deal.”This was the start of government
programs to manage the economy and create social programs.Keynesian Economics.
Fiscal policy to speed up or slow down the economy.
Democratic Era.1932-1980.
1. Democratic era ends after the 1970’s.
2. Stagflation.
3. High oil prices.
4. Iranian hostage crisis.
5. Uninspiring Jimmy Carter president.
Republican Revolution.1980-2004.
1. Hamiltonians back in control.
2. Arthur Laffer “ Curve.”
3. “Supply-Side Economics.”
4. Another version of “Trickle Down Economics?”
5. “Reaganomics.”
6. Bill Clinton President between 1992-2000.
Republican Fiscal Policy
1.Hamiltonians2.1920’s – Trickle Down Theory.
Tax cut for the rich.3.1980’s Supply-Side Economics.
Tax cut for the rich.4. 2000’s G.W. Bush.
Tax cut for the rich.
Resurgence of Democrats.2006.
1. Democrats retook control of both Houses of Congress in 2006.
2. Iraq and its many issues have been a drag on the Republican Party.
2008.Democrats regain control of the Presidency, retain control of the Senate, and retain control of the
House.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Who Controls What?
Chapter 5, Section 3
1968–1976 Republicans hold the presidency
Congress is controlled by Democrats
1976–1980 Democrats hold the presidency
Congress is controlled by Democrats1980–1992
Republicans hold the presidency Senate controlled by Republicans 1980-1986, controlled by Democrats from 1986 to 1994
1992 – 2000 Democrats hold the presidency
Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994-2006.
2000 Republicans hold the presidency
Congress is controlled by Republicans
2006Democrats retake both houses of Congress. 2008Democrats retake presidency, retainBoth Houses of Congress. 2010
Republicans retake the House
Who Controls What Continued.
1. 2010. Republicans retake the House. Democrats keep the Senate.
2. 2012. No change.
3. 2014 No change.
4. 2016 ????????????
1860
1964
1968
Nixon McGovern 1972
1976
1980
2000 Election
2004 Election Map
Election 2008
2012
Third Parties1. A third party is ANY party that’s
NOT Democratic OR Republican.
2. There are many different third parties.
3. A third party candidate has never won the presidency. They have been elected Governor. Jessie Ventura anyone?
Minor Parties in the United States
Chapter 5, Section 4
Splinter Party
Example: “Bull Moose” Progressive
Party
Economic Protest Parties
Example: The Greenback Party
Ideological Parties
Example: Libertarian
Party
Types of Minor Parties
Single-issue Parties
Example: Free Soil Party
Impact of Third Parties.
1. If a third party has a popular issue, it will be absorbed by a major party. Social Security?
2. A third party can throw an election one way or another.
3. 1992. Reform Party candidate Ross Perot helped Bill Clinton to defeat George Bush Sr. Clinton received less than 50% of popular vote.
4. 2000. Green Party candidate Ralph Nader helped George W. Bush defeat Al Gore. Bush LOST the popular vote to Gore.
Obstacles to Third Parties.1. Dems and Reps automatically on all states
ballots.
2. Third parties must get petitions signed in all states to get on ballot.
3. Winner take-all-system. NO representation for second place.
4. Why vote for a loser?
Minor Parties: Third-Partyism
Minor parties are not a threat to the two major parties.
Only eight third parties have won any electoral votes in a presidential contest.
The third parties that have had some success are:1996 and 1992: Ross Perot’s Reform Party1968: George Wallace’s American Independent Party1924: Robert LaFollette’s Progressive Party1912: Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party1856: Millard Fillmore's American Party
1992
Republicans v. Democrats
Are generally in favor of the Government playing a larger role to make social change AND manage the economy.
Tend to favor a more limited Government that does not intervene as much into people’s lives or business.
Balanced Budget
Raise taxes on the wealthy with some budget cuts.
Continue/increase tax cuts for the wealthy. Increase Federal spending while creating larger Federal deficits.
This behavior created the rise of the conservative Republican Tea Party.
Characteristics of Each Party
Generally reps poor, working class, and minorities..
Dems less organized and have lower voter turn out.
Reps the wealthy, middle class, and corp.
Reps have a much higher voter turn out.
Wealth Distribution
Likes to decrease the gap between the rich and the poor with the use of taxation, gov’t programs, especially public education.
Lower taxes on working/middle class.
Believes in “Trickle Down” theory or “Supply-Side” economics.
Lower taxes on wealthy and corporations.
Abortion
Believes and supports pro-choice.
Are pro-life. Are for laws to outlaw or make abortions harder to get.
Union Labor
Are in favor of unions and collective bargaining.
Like to side towards individual efforts and competition in the workplace. Anti-Union.
Sought to keep unions out of newly formed Transportation Security Admin.
Social Programs
With increase tax revenues, Democrats like to fund social programs as a safety net for disadvantaged people.
Affordable Health Care Act is good example.(Obama Care)
Less tax money often leads to decreased funding for social programs.
Many Republicans argue that people’s hard work should be kept for themselves instead of being used to benefit other people.
National Defense.
Generally would support less spending on defense in favor of social programs.
“Guns vs. Butter.”
They are in favor of bigger defense budgets and less social programs.
EXCEPT for the Tea Party who wants to cut ALL federal spending.
Affirmative Action
Tend to be more in favor of affirmative action as they argue that it leads to more equality.
Are against affirmative action, but they say there should be more restrictions on it to ensure that the law does not totally overpower natural competition.
Environment/Safety
They favor Green laws.
Believe in Global Warming.
Do not like Green laws because they think it hurts business.
Do not believe in Global Warming.
Gun Control
Democrats: Favor gun control to help control crime.
Republicans: Opposes any gun control laws as it’s unconstitutional
and takes away individual freedom.
Flag Burning
Democrat: Flag burning is political
symbolic speech and is protected by the First Amendment.
Republican: Protect the flag from
burning by a constitutional amendment.
Prayer in School
Democrats:
Violation of the separation between church and state. No prayer in schools.
Republicans: It is a religious right and our Christian
heritage. There needs to be prayer in school.
Gay Rights
Democrats: Favor: Gays rights and same sex marriage
are their civil rights. O.K. for Gays in Military.
Republicans: Oppose: Marriage is a sacred trust between
a man and woman. No Gays in Military.
Death PenaltyDemocrats: Oppose: It is not a deterrent and
innocent people are in jeopardy.
Republicans: Favor: The death penalty is
necessary and effective to deter crime.
HealthcareDemocrats:
Government should require universal access to healthcare. Too many American with no health insurance. Dems pushed through Obamacare.
Republicans: Private insurers are preferable to
government controlled system. Against Obamacare.
Social Security and Medi – Care.
Democrats: Maintain status quo.
Republicans: Privatize both Social Security and MediCare.
Minimum WageDemocrats: Favor Increasing the minimum
wage to help workers.
Republicans: Oppose raising the minimum
wage because it hurts businesses. Would like to lower it OR get rid of it completely.
Education
Democrats: In favor of spending more on public education.
Republicans: Less spending on current public education. Favor vouchers and charter schools.
Immigration Democrats: Favors amnesty for illegal aliens and
more legal protection for undocumented workers.
Republicans: Tougher immigration laws and no amnesty.