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A2 Politics > Political Parties > Flashcards

Political Parties Flashcards

1
Q

Explain the theory of party renewal (4)

A
  1. Party decline is exaggerated. All presidents and members of congress consist of two parties. The parties are dominant.
  2. Parties have fought to regain control over presidential candidate selection process. Democrats introduced super delegates at their 1984 National Convention. These are professional elected politicians who are given a vote at the Convention ‘ex officio’. By 2008 they accounted for 20% of delegate votes.
    - played a major role in choice of Obama over Hilary.
  3. Moves towards nationalising of campaigns. National parties have been stronger at laying down national rules for timing & conduct of presidential primaries in 2008 and 2012.
    - seen also in 1994 congressional elections when GoP launched “Contract with America”.
    - democrats “six for 06’” in 2006.
    - 2010 “Pledge to America” of GoP
  4. Increased partisanship in Congress. Climax during Clinton impeachment.
    - during Bush: continued over Iraq War, stem cell research.
    - not a single republican voted for Obama’s healthcare legislation
  5. Polarisation has let parties to become more internally ideologically cohesive and thus distinct from one another. Whilst variations on a state level exist, party platforms suggest unity.
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2
Q

Explain theory of party decline (4)

A
  1. Party leaders have lost control over the Pres. Election since primaries are more prominent giving voters the power.
  2. Whilst Parties used to be the medium through which candidates communicated with their voters through party rallies, new media and television have replaced communication with voters ‘communicating back’ through opinion polls.
  3. Campaigns are more candidate-centred & issue centred. Voters tend to vote for a particular candidate based on their particular views on specific issues. (Issue voters) Rise in split ticket voting and ‘independent voters’.
  4. Emergence of social movements and pressure groups show decline in people’s attachment to traditional parties as vehicles of protest and change.
  5. Ideological diversity within the parties indicates that US is more of a 50 party system as each state party differs slightly.
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3
Q

Explain the theory of party renewal (4)

A
  1. Party decline is exaggerated. All presidents and members of congress consist of two parties.
  2. Parties have fought to regain control over presidential candidate selection process. Democrats introduced super delegates at their 1984 National Convention. These are professional elected politicians who are given a vote at the Convention ‘ex officio’. By 2008 they accounted for 20% of delegate votes.
    - played a major role in choice of Obama over Hilary.
  3. Moves towards nationalising of campaigns. National parties have been stronger at laying down national rules for timing & conduct of presidential primaries in 2008 and 2012.
    - seen also in 1994 congressional elections when GoP launched “Contract with America”.
    - democrats “six for 06’” in 2006.
    - 2010 “Pledge to America” of GoP
  4. Increased partisanship in Congress. Climax during Clinton impeachment.
    - during Bush: continued over Iraq War, stem cell research.
    - not a single republican voted for Obama’s healthcare legislation
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2
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4
Q

Explain theory of party decline (4)

A
  1. Party leaders have lost control over the Pres. Election since primaries are more prominent giving voters the power.
  2. Whilst Parties used to be the medium through which candidates communicated with their voters through party rallies, new media and television have replaced communication with voters ‘communicating back’ through opinion polls.
  3. Campaigns are more candidate-centred & issue centred. Voters tend to vote for a particular candidate based on their particular views on specific issues. Rise in split ticket voting and ‘independent voters’.
  4. Emergence of social movements show decline in people’s attachment to traditional parties as vehicles of protest and change.
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5
Q

What did FDR do for the Democratic party?

A

Shifted party in a more liberal and centre-left direction.
- Through the New Deal: A series of government programs promoting social welfare, labor unions, greater govt spending, civil rights and regulation of business.

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6
Q

What did LBJ do for Democrats?

A

Great Society programme:

  • Aid to education
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Attack on disease
  • War on Poverty

During his administration, national poverty dropped from 23% to 12% (living below poverty line).

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7
Q

What did Clinton do?

A

‘New Democrat’

  • Democratic Leadership Council: a group focused on promoting centrists.
  • Economic expansion
  • Reduction in debt
  • Federal government surpluses
  • Welfare reform: “Workfare”
  • Passage of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell & Defense of Marriage Act 1996
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8
Q

Obama’s presidency

A
  • 1st democrat to win over 50% of the vote since Jimmy Carter

Shift to the left: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which injected a government fiscal stimulus of $831 billion over 10 years.

  • Increasing minimum wage to $10.10 in 2014.
  • Obamacare 2010
  • Gay marriage equality
  • Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009: made it easier for women to sue employers if they are paid less than males.
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9
Q

On what grounds was Obama criticised from progressives? (4)

A

He compromised with the Republicans over resolutions to the 2012 Fiscal Cliff and 2013 Government shutdown.

Failed to pass ‘cap and trade’ bill in 2009.

Failed to close Guantanamo.

Appointed GoP Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense in 2013

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10
Q

Democrat platform (Moving America Forward)

A
  1. Women’s rights
  2. Pro-choice
  3. Marriage equality
  4. Regulation of guns
  5. Raise minimum wage
  6. Universal healthcare
  7. Environmentalist
  8. Civil liberty protection
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11
Q

What are the ways of examining ideological distinctions within parties?

A
  1. Caucuses

2. Influence of interest groups & PACs

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12
Q

What is a PAC?

A

Type of organisation that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaign for and against candidates, initiatives and legislation.

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13
Q

Name some Democratic PACs

A
  1. Progressive Democrats of America
  2. Center for American Progress
  3. MoveOn.org
  4. Emily’s List
  5. Democratic Leadership Council
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14
Q

Explain the work of the Center for American Progress

A

More centrist than the PDA in terms of ideology.

A liberal public policy research organisation which seeks to influence how Democrat politicians vote and advises left-leaning Democrats.

Instrumental in helping Congressman John Murtha develop “strategic redeployment”, the comprehensive plan to end the Iraq War.

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15
Q

Name some Democratic PACs

A
  1. Progressive Democrats of America
  2. Center for American Progress
  3. MoveOn.org
  4. Emily’s List
  5. Democratic Leadership Council
  6. New Democrat Network
  7. Third Way
  8. Progressive Policy Institute
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16
Q

Explain the work of the Center for American Progress

A

More centrist than the PDA in terms of ideology.

A liberal public policy research organisation which seeks to influence how Democrat politicians vote and advises left-leaning Democrats.

Instrumental in helping Congressman John Murtha develop “strategic redeployment”, the comprehensive plan to end the Iraq War.

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17
Q

Explain the work of MoveOn.Org

A

Founded in 1998 in response to impeachment of Clinton.

Raised millions of dollars for “progressives” viewing itself as a grassroots organisation which allows left-leaning Americans to influence policy through petitions.

Associated with high profile liberal Democrats such as Elizabeth Warren.

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18
Q

Explain the work of Emily’s List

A

A pro-choice PAC which raises funds for candidates committed to protecting women’s rights.

Worked to elect 100 women to the House, 19 to the senate, 10 governors and 500 others to state and local office since 1985.

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19
Q

Explain the work of Third Way

A

Promotes the “vital center”.

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20
Q

What is one of the only conservative Democratic PACs?

A

Democrats for Life of America

Focuses on abortion.
- Obama compromised with pro-life Democrat Bart Stupak resulting in a ban on Obamacare coverage for abortion facilities.

21
Q

Evidence of Obama’s progressivism

A
  1. Obamacare achieved near universal affordable healthcare increasing the government’s role in regulation of healthcare.
  2. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Fiscal stimulus). Injected $831 billion dollars over the next 10 years.
  3. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 increased financial regulation.
  4. End of the use of torture in Executive Order 13491 ensuring full compliance with Geneva Convention (rather than partial) in 2009.
  5. 2014 State of the Union included a threat to use EO to increase federal minimum wage.
22
Q

Evidence of Obama’s centrism

A
  1. Extended Hyde Amendment to secure support of pro-life Democrat Bart Stupak - no federal money under Obamacare to fund abortions
  2. Failed to include pubic option in Obamacare which would have offered a state-funded insurance company to compete with private insurers (providing low cost option for poorer Americans)
  3. Compromised with GOP controlled House during Govt shutdown 2013 and Fiscal Cliff Negotiations 2012.
  4. Appointment of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defence.
  5. Failed to close Guantanamo.
23
Q

Evidence of Obama’s centrism

A
  1. Extended Hyde Amendment to secure support of pro-life Democrat Bart Stupak - no federal money under Obamacare to fund abortions
  2. Failed to include pubic option in Obamacare which would have offered a state-funded insurance company to compete with private insurers (providing low cost option for poorer Americans)
  3. Compromised with GOP controlled House during Govt shutdown 2013 and Fiscal Cliff Negotiations 2012.
  4. Appointment of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defence.
  5. Failed to close Guantanamo.
24
Q

What were some of the reasons behind the increase in federal spending when Obama first came into office?

A

Partly due to decisions taken by Bush (such as TARP) and 2009 fiscal stimulus.

25
Q

Compare Bush’s government spending to Obama.

A

Bush increased government spending by 88%.

Obama increased public spending by 7.2%

26
Q

Compare how much Obama increased the debt compared to Bush and Reagan

A

Obama: 35%
Bush: 86%
Reagan: 189%

27
Q

What evidence is there to suggest that Bush wasn’t conservative?

A

Huge increase in spending excluding Iraq War etc.

  • Increased burden of domestic spending by 5.1% of the share of GDP.
  • This contributed to an increased deficit and debt.
  • Bush signed an expansion of Medicare worth $534 billion in 2003.
  • In 2006, attempted to pass immigration reform which would have resulted in partial amnesty for some illegal immigrants.
28
Q

What evidence is there to suggest that Bush wasn’t conservative?

A

Huge increase in spending excluding Iraq War etc.

  • Increased burden of domestic spending by 5.1% of the share of GDP.
  • This contributed to an increased deficit and debt.
  • Bush signed an expansion of Medicare worth $534 billion in 2003.
  • In 2006, attempted to pass immigration reform which would have resulted in partial amnesty for some illegal immigrants.
29
Q

Republic 2012 Platform ‘We Believe in America’

A
  1. Pro-life (amendment to the consitution)
  2. Low taxes and balanced budgets.
  3. Oppose any campaign finance restrictions
  4. Gun rights
  5. Opposition to Obamacare
30
Q

What are the main GOP caucuses?

A
  1. Republican Study Committee
    - 170 members (majority)
    - Fiscally and socially conservative.
    - Limited government
  2. Republican Main Street Partnership
    - 46 members
    - Centrist, pragmatic.
  3. Liberty Caucus
    - 36 members
    - Libertarians who found RSC too moderate.
  4. Tea Party Caucus
    - Defunct
    - Highly conservative
    - 66 members at its height.
31
Q

Describe one liberal republican

A

Susan Collins

  • Called a RINO
  • Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign
  • Voted in favor of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act 2010.
32
Q

Describe one liberal republican

A

Susan Collins

  • Called a RINO
  • Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign
  • Voted in favor of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act 2010.
33
Q

Name some Republican Interest Groups / PACs

A
  1. Heritage Foundation
  2. Tea Party Express
  3. Rep. National Coalition for Life.
  4. Log Cabin Republicans
  5. Rep. Majority for Choice
  6. Rep. Leadership Council
34
Q

Explain the work of the Heritage Foundation

A

Gained prominence during Reagan’s presidency. One of the most influential conservative research organizations.

Has strong links with the Republican Study Committee.

Warned Republicans who voted in favor of bipartisan compromise during govt shutdown that the group’s associated PAC may fund primary challenges against them in 2014.

35
Q

Explain the work of the Tea Party Express

A

Founded in 2009 during nationwide wave of Tea Party protests against Obamacare.

Enjoyed short term influence as they successfully funded primary challenges against Republican moderates.

Only 4/16 Tea Party backed candidates won seats in 2012.

Associated with fringe candidates such as Todd Akin (who commented on “legitimate rape”) and Richard Mourdock.

36
Q

What is a piece of evidence in terms of PACs and interest groups that moderates are declining in GOP?

A

Republican Leadership Council disbanded in 2011. They were a moderate group who were pro-choice.

37
Q

What is a piece of evidence in terms of PACs and interest groups that moderates are declining in GOP?

A

Republican Leadership Council disbanded in 2011. They were a moderate group who were pro-choice.

38
Q

Evidence of Romney’s conservatism

A
  1. Described his period as Massachussetts Governor as “severely conservative”
  2. Ran on 2012 GOP party platform.
  3. Proposed conservative tax reforms, including cutting income taxes by 20% and eliminating other taxes. His proposals would have reduced federal revenues by $480 billion in 2015.
  4. Picked Paul Ryan as running mate.
39
Q

Evidence of Romney’s moderate pragmatism

A
  1. Instituted a healthcare plan in Massachusetts described as being similar to Obamacare.
  2. Said that he would not provide tax breaks to high income earners
  3. In 2002, said he would “preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose.” 2012 - Newt Gingrich attack ad described him as pro-abortion.
  4. Tea Party Patriots in 2012 described Romney as a “weak moderate candidate”
40
Q

Evidence of Romney’s moderate pragmatism

A
  1. Instituted a healthcare plan in Massachusetts described as being similar to Obamacare.
  2. Said that he would not provide tax breaks to high income earners
  3. In 2002, said he would “preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose.” 2012 - Newt Gingrich attack ad described him as pro-abortion.
  4. Tea Party Patriots in 2012 described Romney as a “weak moderate candidate”
41
Q

Which type of voters tend to vote for Democrats?

A
  • Liberals
  • Ethnic minorities (93% Blacks)
  • Unmarried women
  • Jewish and religious minority
  • Urban areas
  • Younger generations
  • Lower income family
  • LGBT
42
Q

Which type of voters tend to vote for Republicans?

A
  • Married Men
  • White
  • Mormon or Christian
  • Rural Areas
  • Devout religious people
  • Older generations
  • Higher income class
43
Q

Which type of voters tend to vote for Republicans?

A
  • Married Men
  • White
  • Mormon or Christian
  • Rural Areas
  • Devout religious people
  • Older generations
  • Higher income class
44
Q

What obstacles do third parties face?

A
  1. Electoral system
    - FPTP winner takes all system harms them.
    - For example, Ross Perot won 19% of the vote in 1992 yet no ECV.
    - A particular problem for national 3rd parties, regional ones such as George Wallace’s American Independent Party 1968 fare better. (46 ECVs)
  2. Campaign finance laws
    - 3rd parties can only qualify for federal ‘matching funds’ if they gained 5% of vote in previous election.
  3. State ballot access laws
    - Difficult for them to qualify to be on the ballot paper
    - Petition from registered voters required which takes time and money.
  4. Two party dominance
    - Major parties may incorporate popular third party proposals onto their platforms thus blunting the appeal of the third party
    - E.g Clinton & Bush addressing federal budget deficit after Ross Perot’s support for his policies
  5. Lack of resources
  6. Lack of media coverage
  7. Lack of well known, well qualified candidates
  8. Too ideolgical
45
Q

Explain the spoiler effect

A

Third parties affecting elections despite not winning.

E.g in 2000 election, many argued that Al Gore would have won if Ralph Nader (Green) hadn’t stood.

46
Q

Name some recent electoral victories by 3rd parties

A

Socialist candidate elected to Seattle City Council in Jan 2014.

Constitution Party Candidate finished 2nd in 2010 Colorado gubernatorial election.

47
Q

What is the Tea Party Movement?

A

Born in 2009 in opposition to Obama’s economic stimulus package. ‘TEA’ - Taxed Enough Already

48
Q

Core beliefs of the tea party

A
  1. Strict adherence to constitution & original intention of framers
  2. Limited government
  3. Reduction in size & scope of federal government
  4. Reduction in government spending & taxation
  5. Reduction of national debt & federal budget deficit
49
Q

Success of tea party

A

Limited success.

Lost 4/7 contested seats in 2010 midterms which was enough to deprive republicans of a majority in the senate.

2012 - Tea Party backed presidential nominees were unsuccessful.

Successful in the house from 2011 where Republicans were a majority. They pushed the House GoPs agenda to the right.

A2 Politics (9 decks)

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