Todays+Agenda+Political+Parties+It+is+a+Party+Up+in+here

It’s a Party Up in here!!! • Today’s Agenda – Political Parties Party Time • The function of Political Parties – They seek to organized people in order to control public office – Generally, they attempt to organize individuals with similar ideologies – Developing issues and educating the public – Synthesize interests – Recruit and develop office seekers Is it a Kegger or Wine Night? • Different types of Parties – Catch-all parties (United States) focus on attempting to consolidate several areas of interest under the umbrella of one political party – Ideological parties (Germany) stake out an ideological area, and only represent individuals who are close to those beliefs. Example: Labor, Green, or Beer-Drinking Party (no kidding) History Lesson • First Party System (1800-1828) – Republican-Democratic Party versus Federalist – R-D Party favored states rights, while Federalists supported a stronger national government – Eventually Federalists fade away since they were not a developed party amongst either elites or the masses History Lesson • First Party System Continued – Once Federalists fade away, surprisingly R-D’s become more in favor of strong national government – By 1828, the R-D Party came to symbolize what the Federalist believed 30 years earlier – These Anti-Democratic tendencies led to reform and a fissure within the R-D Party History Lesson • Second Party System (1828-1860) – Democrats versus Whigs – Democrats, led by Jackson, took up a pro-states rights stance and anti-central government – Whig Party as the opposition was not much different since ideological difference within society crossed party lines History Lesson • Second Party System Continued – Achievements of the System • Elections: Party Control • Patronage: Party Control • Media: Party Control – Eventually the ideological split on the issue of slavery tore both the Democrats and Whigs apart History Lesson • Third Party System (1860-1896) – Republicans versus Democrats (even) – Republicans consisted of both Whigs and Democrats that identified with the Abolitionist Movement – Ideological splits between the party existed before reconstruction, however, after reconstruction both parties conservative History Lesson • Third Party System Continued – Number of social movements and third parties challenged both parties, but never succeeded, but did end up having an affect on the system – Parties became more regionally divided with Republicans gaining support in the northeast and mid-west, while Democrats had support in the south and far west History Lesson • Fourth Party Era (1896-1932) – Republicans versus Democrats – Democrats took a step back in order to take two steps forward – Republicans continued to support laissez-faire policies and an entrenched patronage system – Democrats started to think about expanding national government and the progressive movement played an important role History Lesson • Fourth Party System Continued – Ideals the Progressive Era brought to the Parties • Increased Government intervention • Professional Civil Service • Direct Connection to People – Eventually The Great Depression led to shift in American policy toward Democratic party History Lesson • Fifth Party System (1932-1968) – Democrats versus Republicans – Democrats dominate all elected branches of government and eventually force Republicans into agreeing with the New Deal – However, their focus on social change allowed for a southern coalition to form that eventually led to the end of the party system History Lesson • Sixth Party System (1968-Present) – Republicans versus Democrats (even) – Era of divided government at all levels of elected branches – Both political parties finally emerge with a more cohesive coalition in terms of ideology, which allows for more party unity Political Parties • I want more parties!!! NO!!! – single member districts – plurality system (“first-past-the-post” or winner-take-all elections) • Alternatives adopted in other countries – multi-member districts – proportional representation Proportional Representation: A Hypothetical Example • 25 Representatives Total for Florida NO GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICTS • Democrats get 40% of the statewide vote – get 40% of 25 seats, for a total of 10 seats • Republicans get 52% of the statwide vote – get 50% of 25 seats, for a total of 13 seats • Reform gets 10% of the statewide vote – get 8% of 25 seats for a total of 2 seats Political Parties • Effects of the American 2 Party System – higher threshold for victory – disadvantages third parties • example--a three way congressional race. Candidates get 34%, 33%, and 33% of the vote • who wins? The candidate with 34%. – majority parties absorb third party platforms Political Parties • Third Parties: What role? – – – – protest parties single-issue parties ideological parties splinter parties Political Parties • The Current Landscape – Candidate-centered vs. Party-centered politics – Weakening of party organizations • Candidates run their own operations – polling – media – phone banks, direct mail, public relations consultants – capital intensive politics