Chapter 8: Political Parties Flashcards
Political party
A team of people seeking to control the government apparatus gaining office and duly constituted election
Three headed political Giants
The party electorate, the party as an organization, and the party governments are three separate groups of political parties that works together in a decentralized manor
Party in the electorate
Largest component
do not require membership cards or dues, not legally binding, don’t need to participate in campaigns, or even always vote for parties candidates
Party as an organization
National, state, and local headquarters with full-time staff bylaws and budgets
Party in government
Elected officials who call themselves members of the party they translate party promises into law although sometimes they do their own thing
Tasks
Pick party candidates- nominate
run campaigns- coordinate and give money fundraise
give cues to voters- knowing a candidates party can tell you a lot about their views
articulate policies: advocate policy alternatives
coordinate policymaking: when officials need support they often go to their fellow party members
Rational choice theory
A popular theory in political science to explain the actions of voters as well as politicians it assumes that individuals act in their own best interest carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives
Party image
The voters perception of what the parties stand for such as conservatism at liberalism
Party ID
A citizens self proclaimed preference for one party or the other
Ticket splitting
Voting with one party for one office and with another party for the other office it is becoming normal in American voting behavior
Party machine
A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material and inducements such as patronage to win votes and to govern popular up into the 1930s
Patronage
One of the key inducements used by party machines a patronage job promotion our contract is given for political reasons other than merit or competence alone
State party system
There are 50 fluid party organizations loosely together
organization of elections influence the strength of the party if it’s closed open or blanket
National convention
The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the parties platform
National committee
One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions the national committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories
(including committee woman and men and assorted party leaders)
National chairperson
Responsible for the day-to-day and picked by the presidents nominee hires the staff pays bills raises money visible spokesperson
Coalition
A group of individuals with a common interest in which every political party depends
influenced by what a party has done and what it promises to do
Critical election
When new issues emerge and new coalitions replace old ones
the majority party is displaced
sometimes this is marked by a crisis the start of a new party era
Party realignment
Replacement of the majority party with the minority
First party system: 1796 to 1824
Federalist the shortest live major party (created by start with constitution)
and Democrat Republicans or Jeffersonians agrarian base torn apart by factionalism later
1828 to 1856 Jackson democrats vs. Whigs
Jackson created the Democratic Party causes to broaden political opportunity and unite more people (workers in the north and farmers)
the wig party was united by the opposition to the Democrats in there planters and industrialists
1860 to 1928 Two rep eras
Republican or anti-slavery lasted from the 1960s with Lincoln for 60 years and in the
second era started in 1896 with the democratic v. the Republican over silver versus gold and that change party alignments
New deal coalition 1932 to 1964
Herbert Hoover handled the depression poorly so Americans elected Democratic Roosevelt who pass the new deal to reform
the new deal coalition was formed by Democrats who dominated American politics from the 30s to 60s elements were ethnic groups Catholics Jews poor Southerners African-Americans and intellectuals
1968 to now south and party government
Nixon work to win over southern conservatives who were previously democratic also began trend of having opposing party in Congress back-and-forth over control
party Dealignment begin to happen which caused party neutrality because people were not identifying with parties and were less involved in politics giving people a more neutral attitude
Party Dealignment
The graduate disengagement of people in politics from the parties as seen in part by shrinking party identification
Third parties and winner take all
Electoral contenders other than the two major parties, not unusual but rarely win elections
Ex) libertarian socialist Green party
the winner take all system prevents them from getting votes in the elect oral college because all of the votes go to the candidate with the popular vote
Proportional representation
Votes are awarded based on the vote so the votes are proportional to the vote
The multiparty system used in Europe
Responsible party model
A view favored by some political scientists about the party should work
according to the model party should
1.) present distinct comprehensive programs for governing the nation
2.)each party’s candidates must be committed to its program and have the internal cohesion and discipline to carry out its program
3.) the majority party must implement it’s programs and the minority party must state what it would do if it were in power
4.) the majority party must except responsibility for the performance of the government
Party competition
The battle of the parties for control of public offices
ups and downs of the two major parties are one of the most important elements in American politics because it provides a choice and allows for democracy
