POLITICAL PARTIESPOLITICAL PARTIES

““Group of individuals, often having Group of individuals, often having some measure of ideological some measure of ideological agreement, who organize to win agreement, who organize to win elections, operate government, and elections, operate government, and determine public policy”determine public policy”

““Team of men and women seeking to Team of men and women seeking to control the governing apparatus by control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted gaining office in a duly constituted election” --Dahlelection” --Dahl

““Three-Headed Giant: Three-Headed Giant: Different Aspects of the PartyDifferent Aspects of the Party

Party in the electorate (Label)Party in the electorate (Label): : Certain conception in the minds of the votersCertain conception in the minds of the voters Membership not requiredMembership not required Number of independents rising a lot, and strong Number of independents rising a lot, and strong

party ID is declining a little.party ID is declining a little. Split-ticket votingSplit-ticket voting

““Three-Headed Giant: Three-Headed Giant: Different Aspects of the PartyDifferent Aspects of the Party

OrganizationOrganization: : Recruit and campaignRecruit and campaign Provide continuity between electionsProvide continuity between elections State party system:State party system: Closed primaries: only people who have registered in Closed primaries: only people who have registered in

advanceadvance Open primaries: allow voters to decide on election dayOpen primaries: allow voters to decide on election day Blanket primaries: voters are allowed to select Blanket primaries: voters are allowed to select

Democrats and RepublicansDemocrats and Republicans Political Machines and patronagePolitical Machines and patronage

Political MachinesPolitical Machines Patronage system which recruits members Patronage system which recruits members

using money, political jobs, other political using money, political jobs, other political favors:favors:

Political leader secures and retains the loyalty Political leader secures and retains the loyalty of his supporters and followers by rewarding of his supporters and followers by rewarding them with public goods, such as official posts.them with public goods, such as official posts.

Patron: politician; Client: citizen wanting rewardPatron: politician; Client: citizen wanting reward "WANTED -- A GOVERNMENT CLERKSHIP at "WANTED -- A GOVERNMENT CLERKSHIP at

a salary of not less than $1,000 per annum. Will a salary of not less than $1,000 per annum. Will give $100 to any one securing me such a give $100 to any one securing me such a position.“position.“

Garfield assassinated by disappointed office Garfield assassinated by disappointed office seeker (Charles Guiteau)seeker (Charles Guiteau)

Political MachinesPolitical Machines• The Pendleton Act (1883) (under Chester Arthur):The Pendleton Act (1883) (under Chester Arthur):• classified certain jobs and removed them from the classified certain jobs and removed them from the

patronage rankspatronage ranks• set up a Civil Service Commission to administer a set up a Civil Service Commission to administer a

system based on merit rather than political system based on merit rather than political connectionsconnections

• Created a Civil Service Commission, a three-member, Created a Civil Service Commission, a three-member, nonpartisan board to create and administer nonpartisan board to create and administer competitive examinations for applicants to low-level competitive examinations for applicants to low-level federal jobsfederal jobs

• Stopped the practice of assessing federal workers a Stopped the practice of assessing federal workers a portion of their salary for the benefit of the political portion of their salary for the benefit of the political party that appointed them party that appointed them

• Granted the president broad powers to apply civil Granted the president broad powers to apply civil service reform procedures to other classifications of service reform procedures to other classifications of federal workers.federal workers.

Political MachinesPolitical Machines

Strong leadership controlStrong leadership control Tended towards corruptionTended towards corruption Hatch Act (1939): Illegal for federal employees to get Hatch Act (1939): Illegal for federal employees to get

involved formally with political campaignsinvolved formally with political campaigns– Federal employees can’t serve as party officers, Federal employees can’t serve as party officers,

solicit campaign funds, run for a partisan office, solicit campaign funds, run for a partisan office, work on campaigns, endorse partisan candidates, work on campaigns, endorse partisan candidates, take voters to polls, count votes. Can only vote take voters to polls, count votes. Can only vote and make contributionsand make contributions

As education increased and legislation passed, As education increased and legislation passed, machines have declined in importancemachines have declined in importance

““Three-Headed Giant: Three-Headed Giant: Different Aspects of the PartyDifferent Aspects of the Party

Party in Government: Party in Government: Set of leadersSet of leaders who try to control political who try to control political

agendaagenda Spokespersons and symbols for the partySpokespersons and symbols for the party

Party FunctionsParty Functions

Select candidates: “almost no one above the Select candidates: “almost no one above the local level (and often not there) gets elected to local level (and often not there) gets elected to public office without winning a party’s public office without winning a party’s endorsement”endorsement”

Run campaignsRun campaigns Present an image to votesPresent an image to votes Articulate and advocate policiesArticulate and advocate policies Coordinate policymakingCoordinate policymaking

Downs ModelDowns Model

Voters want to maximize the chance that Voters want to maximize the chance that policies they favor will be adopted by the policies they favor will be adopted by the governmentgovernment

Parties want to win officeParties want to win office Therefore, parties select positions that are Therefore, parties select positions that are

widely favored and may go to great lengths to widely favored and may go to great lengths to win (kiss babies, negative advertising, etc….)win (kiss babies, negative advertising, etc….)

Median voter modelMedian voter model

Why are American political parties weak? Why are American political parties weak? Britain vs. USABritain vs. USA

Strong party loyaltyStrong party loyalty CentralizedCentralized Nominated by party Nominated by party

leadersleaders Majority party Majority party

selects executive selects executive (prime minister)(prime minister)

Parliamentary Parliamentary systemsystem

Weak party loyaltyWeak party loyalty DecentralizedDecentralized Primary electionsPrimary elections Separate Separate

Presidential electionPresidential election Separation of Separation of

powerspowers

Party identification and trendsParty identification and trends No formal "membership" in American parties Over the past 25 years: a decline of both parties and

the increasing percentage Independents (mostly at the expense of the Democrats)

Almost every major social group (except African American voters) has moved toward a position of increased independence

African Americans have moved even more solidly into the Democratic party (currently only 5 percent of African Americans identify themselves as Republicans).

Traditionally, much of the Republican support has been the wealthy business class.

Party identification and trendsParty identification and trends “Party identification remains strongly linked to the

voter's choice, but ticket-splitting (voting with one party for one office and another for other offices) is near an all-time high.”

Those who still identify with a party are no longer as loyal in the voting booth as they once were.

As party identification increases, there is a greater interest in elections, higher voter turnout, and more straight-ticket voting.

Recent trends often results in divided government (often with Republican President and Democratic control of Congress)

Early views of partiesEarly views of parties

Madison: factionsMadison: factions Washington’s Farewell address: the Washington’s Farewell address: the

“baneful effects of the Spirit of Party”“baneful effects of the Spirit of Party” Jefferson: “If I could not go to heaven Jefferson: “If I could not go to heaven

but with a party, I would not go there at but with a party, I would not go there at all”all”

Ben Franklin: “infinite mutual abuse of Ben Franklin: “infinite mutual abuse of parties, tearing to pieces the best of parties, tearing to pieces the best of characters”characters”

DEVELOPMENT OF PARTY DEVELOPMENT OF PARTY SYSTEMSYSTEM

Founding (1789 – 1820s) Founding (1789 – 1820s) Republicans (Anti-Republicans (Anti-

Federalists), Democrat-Federalists), Democrat-Republicans, or Republicans, or JeffersoniansJeffersonians

Jefferson, Madison, MonroeJefferson, Madison, Monroe Rural support, popular in the Rural support, popular in the

SouthSouth Purpose: defeat Adams and Purpose: defeat Adams and

the Federaliststhe Federalists Eventually “torn apart by Eventually “torn apart by

factionalism”factionalism”

FederalistsFederalists Hamilton, AdamsHamilton, Adams Washington needed Washington needed

a coalition of factions a coalition of factions to get legislation to get legislation passed by Congresspassed by Congress

Domestic policy: Domestic policy: national banknational bank

Foreign policy: “soft Foreign policy: “soft on Britain”on Britain”

Support by capitalistsSupport by capitalists Quickly fadedQuickly faded

Jacksonian (1828 – 1856): Jacksonian (1828 – 1856): Birth of national party system

Democratic-Republican became known as Democratic party

Westerners, Southerners, new immigrants, and settled Americans

Whigs opposed Jackson Democrats Northern industrialists and Southern plantation

owners United by a common enemy (Democrats) more

than by common ground

Jacksonian (1828 – 1856): Jacksonian (1828 – 1856): Birth of national party system

Party convention replaces caucus Caucus (members of Congress who nominate

presidential candidate) system loses legitimacy after 1824 candidate got third place out of four candidates

Great increase in voting participation Electors were selected by popular vote rather

than by state legislators Increased local control

Two Republican Eras (1860-1932): Two Republican Eras (1860-1932): North South Division (1860-1896)North South Division (1860-1896)

The Republican Party begins as a third party

Slavery split both parties Union and anti-slavery supporters

became Republicans in late 1850s Confederate supporters or anti-Civil war

became Democrats

Two Republican Eras (1860-1928): Two Republican Eras (1860-1928): East-West Division (1896-1932)East-West Division (1896-1932)

Bryan, a Democrat, alienated northeastern Dems and attracted voters from South and Midwest, West (farmers, small towns, low tariffs, rural interests, fundamentalists protestants) with a populist platform

“Free silver” advocate: this would devalue money and help debtors since there was more silver than gold

Republicans: gold standard, industry, business, tariffs, industrialization, banks, high tariffs,industrial working class (Catholics and Lutherans who did not like fundamentalists, and “hostility toward liquor and immigrants”)

Divisions within the partiesDivisions within the parties

At the end of the 19At the end of the 19thth Century, two different Century, two different groups begin to emerge within the two parties, but groups begin to emerge within the two parties, but ESPECIALLY in the Republican PartyESPECIALLY in the Republican Party

Stalwarts- the Old Guard of the party.Stalwarts- the Old Guard of the party.– Party machinery, party loyalty, patronage, WINNING Party machinery, party loyalty, patronage, WINNING

is the primary interest.is the primary interest. Mugwumps (Progressives)- the reformersMugwumps (Progressives)- the reformers

– Oppose emphasis on patronage, wanted to see the party Oppose emphasis on patronage, wanted to see the party take unpopular positions on issues like free trade, take unpopular positions on issues like free trade, advocacy and articulation of issues, PRINCIPLE is the advocacy and articulation of issues, PRINCIPLE is the main interest.main interest.

The Era of ReformThe Era of Reform

Progressives realize that to have any power, they Progressives realize that to have any power, they have to attack partisanship itself.have to attack partisanship itself.

Favored primary elections over nominating Favored primary elections over nominating conventionsconventions

Favored Nonpartisan elections at city levelFavored Nonpartisan elections at city level Wanted strict voter registration requirements to Wanted strict voter registration requirements to

reduce fraudreduce fraud Civil service reformCivil service reform In California, direct primary adopted in 1910-In California, direct primary adopted in 1910-

1911, as well as initiative and referendum1911, as well as initiative and referendum

New Deal Coalition (1932-1964)New Deal Coalition (1932-1964)

Urban dwellers: big cities (Chicago and Philadelphia) Urban dwellers: big cities (Chicago and Philadelphia) had been Republicans beforehad been Republicans before

Labor Unions: FDR first president to endorse unionsLabor Unions: FDR first president to endorse unions Catholics and Jewish peopleCatholics and Jewish people The poor: low turnout, but supported FDR and The poor: low turnout, but supported FDR and

successorssuccessors Southerners: white Southerners maintained loyalty Southerners: white Southerners maintained loyalty

from before Civil War through New Deal (going to from before Civil War through New Deal (going to change in 1948.- Dixiecrats to Republicans)change in 1948.- Dixiecrats to Republicans)

African-Americans: Republicans lost this constituencyAfrican-Americans: Republicans lost this constituency Intellectuals: few but provided many ideas for New Intellectuals: few but provided many ideas for New

DealDeal

New Deal Coalition (1932-New Deal Coalition (1932-1964)1964)

JFKJFK Johnson’s Great Society and War on Johnson’s Great Society and War on

PovertyPoverty

Divided Government Divided Government (1968- Present)(1968- Present)

Nixon (1968) first time in 20Nixon (1968) first time in 20 thth century that a newly century that a newly elected president did not have his party in control of elected president did not have his party in control of both houses of Congressboth houses of Congress

Happened again under Reagan and BushHappened again under Reagan and Bush Clinton started out with both houses but lost that in Clinton started out with both houses but lost that in

19941994 Both houses and the presidency controlled by same Both houses and the presidency controlled by same

party houses for only 9.3 years form 1969 to 2005party houses for only 9.3 years form 1969 to 2005 Party dealignment: moving away from both partiesParty dealignment: moving away from both parties

Critical (Realigning) periodsCritical (Realigning) periods

1800- Jeffersonians defeat the Federalists1800- Jeffersonians defeat the Federalists 1828- Rise of Jacksonian Democrats1828- Rise of Jacksonian Democrats 1860- Whigs collapse and Republicans 1860- Whigs collapse and Republicans

under Lincoln take powerunder Lincoln take power 1896- Republicans defeat William Jennings 1896- Republicans defeat William Jennings

Bryan and Populists/DemocratsBryan and Populists/Democrats 1932- New Deal Coalition and FDR1932- New Deal Coalition and FDR

Decline of the PartyDecline of the Party

Proportion of people voting a split ticket increased Proportion of people voting a split ticket increased until around 1980, and has slowly declined since, until around 1980, and has slowly declined since, but is still higher than in the 1950s.but is still higher than in the 1950s.

Key in this change is the switch to the office-bloc Key in this change is the switch to the office-bloc (Massachusetts) ballot from the party-column (Massachusetts) ballot from the party-column (Indiana) ballot.(Indiana) ballot.

Ticket splitting leads to DIVIDED Ticket splitting leads to DIVIDED GOVERNMENT. (White House and Congress are GOVERNMENT. (White House and Congress are controlled by different parties.)controlled by different parties.)

National Party StructureNational Party Structure National ConventionNational Convention: nominates president every : nominates president every

four yearsfour years National CommitteeNational Committee: : state delegates who meet between electionsstate delegates who meet between elections Select time and place of next national conventionSelect time and place of next national convention Issues a call for the convention: determines number Issues a call for the convention: determines number

of delegates for each state and the rules for how the of delegates for each state and the rules for how the delegates will be chosendelegates will be chosen

Congressional Campaign CommitteeCongressional Campaign Committee: help : help incumbent or new legislatorsincumbent or new legislators

National ChairmanNational Chairman: day-to-day party duties, elected : day-to-day party duties, elected by CCCby CCC

1. National Convention1. National Convention

Selects the presidential candidateSelects the presidential candidate Formula for number and distribution of Formula for number and distribution of

delegatesdelegates Reforms decreased power of party Reforms decreased power of party

leadersleaders Democrat reforms toward more Democrat reforms toward more

intraparty equityintraparty equity

What happens at a typical national convention?What happens at a typical national convention? First Day: Keynote speech—melds the past, present and First Day: Keynote speech—melds the past, present and

future of the party with its goals and nominee(s)future of the party with its goals and nominee(s) Second Day: centers on party platformSecond Day: centers on party platform Drafted prior to convention by a committee consisting of Drafted prior to convention by a committee consisting of

proponents of each candidate (in proportion to their proponents of each candidate (in proportion to their strength)strength)

If over 20% of committee disagrees on platform, they can If over 20% of committee disagrees on platform, they can bring an alternative minority plank to the convention floor bring an alternative minority plank to the convention floor for debatefor debate

Third Day: formally nominate candidate for presidentThird Day: formally nominate candidate for president One major speech about candidate and then others also One major speech about candidate and then others also

speak about him/herspeak about him/her End of evening: states cast their ballots for the presidentEnd of evening: states cast their ballots for the president Usually, home state casts deciding numberUsually, home state casts deciding number Vice President chosen, but this is now a formalityVice President chosen, but this is now a formality

2. National Committee2. National Committee State delegates who meet between elections State delegates who meet between elections

(can include governors, members of Congress, (can include governors, members of Congress, other party officials, and others)other party officials, and others)

Select time and place of next national Select time and place of next national conventionconvention

Issues a call for the convention: determines Issues a call for the convention: determines number of delegates for each state and the number of delegates for each state and the rules for how the delegates will be chosen….rules for how the delegates will be chosen….

Formulas for determining number of Formulas for determining number of delegatesdelegates

Democrats: should a larger share of delegates come Democrats: should a larger share of delegates come from south (solidly Democrat in the past) or the north from south (solidly Democrat in the past) or the north and west (more liberal or larger states)and west (more liberal or larger states)

Large states are rewarded:Large states are rewarded: Vote each state cast in the past and number of Vote each state cast in the past and number of

electoral votes of each stateelectoral votes of each state Republicans: (conservative) Midwest or (liberal East)Republicans: (conservative) Midwest or (liberal East) Loyal states are rewarded:Loyal states are rewarded: Number of representatives in Congress and if the Number of representatives in Congress and if the

state in past elections votes for the Republican state in past elections votes for the Republican president elected to the Senate, the House,and the president elected to the Senate, the House,and the governorshipgovernorship

How are delegates chosen?How are delegates chosen? Democrats (since 1972):Democrats (since 1972): Tried to weaken local party leader controlTried to weaken local party leader control Increase proportion of women, young people, African-Increase proportion of women, young people, African-

Americans, and Native-AmericansAmericans, and Native-Americans As of 1988, Party leaders and 80% of elected As of 1988, Party leaders and 80% of elected

officials(senators, house of representatives, officials(senators, house of representatives, governors) given delegate seats (superdelegates)governors) given delegate seats (superdelegates)– Superdelegates do not have to pledge to a candidateSuperdelegates do not have to pledge to a candidate

Represent leftist wing of the liberal middle classRepresent leftist wing of the liberal middle class Republicans: represent more conservative wing of the Republicans: represent more conservative wing of the

traditional middle class (more closely represents most traditional middle class (more closely represents most citizens)citizens)

3. Congressional Campaign 3. Congressional Campaign CommitteeCommittee::

help incumbent or new legislators help incumbent or new legislators running for officerunning for office

4. National Chairman4. National Chairman::

Day-to-day party dutiesDay-to-day party duties Direct mailingsDirect mailings Public opinion pollsPublic opinion polls Fund raisingFund raising advertisingadvertising Elected by national committeeElected by national committee

STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL: STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL: DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLITICAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLITICAL

PARTIESPARTIES

Where do candidates get their Where do candidates get their support?support?

Ideological PartiesIdeological Parties

Values principles above all elseValues principles above all else Does not rely on money incentivesDoes not rely on money incentives Contentious and FactionalContentious and Factional Third parties:Third parties: Socialist/Socialist WorkersSocialist/Socialist Workers LibertariansLibertarians Right-to-lifeRight-to-life Christian Coalition (within Republican party)Christian Coalition (within Republican party)

Solidary GroupsSolidary Groups

People who get together because of People who get together because of camaraderie and love of politicscamaraderie and love of politics

Members like to be “in the know”Members like to be “in the know” Former political machines, sometimesFormer political machines, sometimes Not corrupt or inflexibleNot corrupt or inflexible Not very hard workingNot very hard working

Sponsored PartiesSponsored Parties

Another organization, such as a union, Another organization, such as a union, creates or sponsors a political partycreates or sponsors a political party

Not very commonNot very common

Personal FollowingPersonal Following

Candidate must have an appealing Candidate must have an appealing personality, a lot of friends, or a big personality, a lot of friends, or a big bank accountbank account

Kennedy dynastyKennedy dynasty Bush familyBush family

Conclusion regarding partiesConclusion regarding parties

Only a few (8) states have traditional Only a few (8) states have traditional parties—hierarchical and based on parties—hierarchical and based on material incentives, and capable of material incentives, and capable of influencing who gets nominated (mostly influencing who gets nominated (mostly in Northeast )in Northeast )

Factional, traditional parties (5)Factional, traditional parties (5) Weak party system of solidary clubs, Weak party system of solidary clubs,

personal followings, ideological groups personal followings, ideological groups and sponsored parties for all the restand sponsored parties for all the rest

Why are there only two Why are there only two parties?parties?

Single member district, plurality systemSingle member district, plurality system Duverger’s lawDuverger’s law Cooptation: Major parties take the ideas Cooptation: Major parties take the ideas

of “third parties” and incorporate them of “third parties” and incorporate them into their platforminto their platform

Umbrella Party—all encompassingUmbrella Party—all encompassing

Plurality vs Plurality vs Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation

““First past the post”First past the post” Winner take allWinner take all Most votesMost votes Broad-based partiesBroad-based parties Electoral CollegeElectoral College

MajorityMajority Runoff electionsRunoff elections Narrow partiesNarrow parties

ExampleExample

Proportional RepProportional Rep Party A = 20Party A = 20 Party B = 30Party B = 30 Party C = 40Party C = 40 Party D = 10Party D = 10 Each party % of Each party % of

seatsseats

PluralityPlurality Party A = 20Party A = 20 Party B = 30Party B = 30 Party C = 40Party C = 40 Party D = 10Party D = 10 Party C wins all the Party C wins all the

seatsseats

Third PartiesThird Parties IdeologicalIdeological: a comprehensive view of society that is : a comprehensive view of society that is

radically different from established partiesradically different from established parties Socialist, Communist, Libertarian Socialist, Communist, Libertarian One-IssueOne-Issue: single policy and avoiding others: single policy and avoiding others Free soil, Know-nothing, ProhibitionFree soil, Know-nothing, Prohibition Economic ProtestEconomic Protest: protesting depressed economic : protesting depressed economic

conditionsconditions Usually farmers in particular regionsUsually farmers in particular regions Disappears when problems improveDisappears when problems improve Factional PartiesFactional Parties: split in major party: split in major party Bull Moose, State’s Rights (Dixiecrats), American Bull Moose, State’s Rights (Dixiecrats), American

Independent, Reform Party (Perot)Independent, Reform Party (Perot)