Party Organisation Flashcards
State the 3 stages in which a party is organised nationally
- National Committee members are chosen by state parties. The National Committee then chooses its chair.
- The National Convention nominates the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.
- The Senatorial and House campaign committees fund incumbents running for re-election and recruit and fund congressional candidates for open seats.
State how party Organisation on a state level is conducted
- State conventions write party rules and adopt a party platform. They may:
. Choose party committees and leaders
. May nominate candidates for office
. Validate voters primary election choices
. They also choose delegates to the national convention and choose presidential electors
State the 3 stages in which a party is organised on a county level
- County Conventions exist primarily as the grass roots vehicles to select delegates to the more significant state conventions.
- Larger counties are more likely to have staff while smaller counties may have no paid position at all.
- In some states, county conventions also have a few role in nominating candidates for office.
- There may be multi - county conventions and chairs in addition to or in lieu of county - level organisations.
How can party US Organisation via ‘broad coalitions’ be described as weak?
. US political parties can be described as ‘broad coalitions’ which contain a collection of moderates, liberals and conservatives therefore allowing for greater party divisions.
. Stronger and more streamlined party would therefore lead to a narrower appeal and the potential to alienate voters due to the lack of broad appeal.
How can party Organisation via ‘party diversity’ be described as weak?
. The broad range of diversities within US parties, means that parties can not generally focus on one political issue without alienating other members of the party.
. This ultimately results in the party failing to unite on a broad front therefore leading to weak party Organisation.
