Post on 09-May-2015
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Interest Groups and Political Parties
What are the differences between the Democrats and the Republicans?
What are political parties important in an democracy?
Interest GroupsInterest Groups
Definition: Private groups that attempt to influence the
government to respond to the shared attitudes and ideas of their members.
Examples: PAC, Sierra Club, AARP, ACLU, Philip
Morris,
Operations:Operations:
Lobbying- communicate with politicians to sway decision making Tools to catch their attention
Money Gifts
Mass Propaganda
Regulating Interest GroupsRegulating Interest Groups
Laws 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act:
Registration with the House clerk or Senate secretary if interest groups had money to persuade legislation
Act failed few interest group register b/c Supreme Court (1954) allowed noncompliance of grass root groups
Act did not apply to lobbying the executive branch
When do interest groups become political parties?
When do interest groups become political parties?
Definition political party is an organization that seeks to attain
political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns.
Parties often support a certain ideology, but may also represent a subgroups that have different interests.
Presidential election ResultsPresidential election Results
Political SocializationPolitical Socialization Source of political beliefs and attitudes
Family and the Social Environment Education Peers Leaders’ Influence Media Political events
Example:– The Great Depression – 60’s and the Vietnam War Era
Impact of Institutions on Party Structure.
Impact of Institutions on Party Structure.
One party, Two party, or Multiparty System Contingent on: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Presidential or Parliamentary System Laws and Constitution
Theory: Lipset and RokkanTheory: Lipset and Rokkan
Theory on Political Cleavages Parties that were formed in the aftermath of political,
religious, and economic revolutions are frozen. State vs. Church Worker vs. Owner Land vs. Industry Center vs. Periphery (Fed vs. State)
These have and will continue to exist in the political arena despite new issues and challenges.
The ConstitutionThe Constitution
Says nothing about political parties. Why?
Founding fathers felt parties were wicked and corrupt.
Did not want parties to control politics.
Did not want to pervade the entire country.
IdeologyIdeology
Ideologies:Liberalism vs. Conservatism
Ideologies:Liberalism vs. Conservatism
Conservatives: Favor limited governmental involvement in the economy Economic freedom is a necessity for the good of the society Advocate governmental involvement to preserve traditional
values and lifestyles
Liberals: Favor governmental regulation of the economy Advocate a limited governmental role in social issues Social
freedom is necessary for the good of society
Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology
Today’s Major US Political Parties and Ideology
Republican Party (GOP)- Considered the more
socially conservative and economically liberal.
Laissez-Faire Economics Party Chairman- Ken
Mehlman Democratic Party-
Considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist.
Party Chairman- Howard Dean
US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)
US Parties: First Party System (before 1824)
American Revolution
FederalistFounded by Hamilton
Supported strong central government
Anti federalistFounded by Jefferson
Supported more state autonomyAlso known as the Republicans
Jackson split into a Democratic party
Adams remained in the Republican party, but latter called the Whigs
Hamiltonian vision for modernizing the United States
US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)
US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854)
Civil War
DemocratsStrong state govt
opportunities for common man such as farmershostile to blacks
Needed slavery for economy
National Republicans (Whig party)active federal. govt,
economic Laissez-Faire Against the expansion of slavery
Southern Whigs ceased to exist (dealigned)
Northern Whigs united with antislavery Democratsand radical antislavery Free Soil party thus creating Lincoln’s
Republicans party
US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)
US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896)
Post Civil War
Northern DemocratsFeared strong central govt
CatholicsDid not want to give free slaves rights
Dominated the white south for decades
RepublicansSought to increase the power of the federal govt.
Promoted economic growth and businessesPromoted evangelical protestant morals and values
Public schools w/ protestant curriculumInflation in check to maintain working class wages
Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol
Democrats embraced populism. Advocated for small farmersSought high inflation for debt relief.
US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)
US Parties: Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932)
Industrial Revolution
Democrats Traditional small govt. policy was realigned and opened
to govt. intervention in the economyWilson was able to win presidency because the Republican split
RepublicansHonest Impartial Govt could regulate the economy
more effectively
1912 split : T. Roosevelt ran on the Bull Moose TicketThe platform based non progressive ideals. Protect women, children, and immigrants.
Reform corrupt govt, and give people more voice.
US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System
US Parties: New Deal and Fifth Party System
Great Depression and New Deal
RepublicansLaissez Faire
State govt and private organizationsTo ease the suffering
Democrats United whites and blacks
Both sought relief from hardshipsStrong federal govt
60’sDemocrats split from economic and social Conservatives in south into republican base
60’ssocial progressives
African Americans remained Democrats
Goals of Political Parties
Goals of Political Parties
To mobilize the public in an organization Organize and run elections Recruit Candidates (strategy: TO WIN) Presenting alternative policies Accepting responsibility for the operation
of govt. (advocating party agenda) Acting as opposition to party in power.
Parties: Party Structure Parties: Party Structure National Level
Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee
State level Governor controls State Conventions State party chairperson Party Boss
Local Level (Grassroots) County Committee County Chairperson District Leaders Precinct or ward captains Party Workers
CartoonCartoon
Primary ElectionsPrimary Elections
Candidates nomination process Feb: Local caucus where party members select
delegate to district convention. Mar: District Convention selects delegates to state
convention. Jun: Presidential primaries are closed primaries.
Party member choose candidate for Nov election. Aug: National convention officially nominates party’s
presidential candidate. Keynote address will open convention and set the tone for
the convention and campaign. Nov: General election registered voters will cast
ballots for their candidate in the electoral college.
Parties in ActionParties in Action
Meetings Quadrennial party convention Nominate presidential
candidate Reveals party platform Introduces new and upcoming
stars Establishes party momentum
Government Provides funding for
candidates Whips legislators
Finances Fund raising
National ConventionNational Convention
Accountability to the VotersAccountability to the Voters
Presidential and Parliamentary Systems
Viable third parties
Role of third parties in a two party system
Role of third parties in a two party system
Goals of third parties: Rally enough supports where they are noticed
by the 2 dominate parties If you can’t beat them, then join them.
Seek to have third party interest included in main party platform
Role of the CitizenRole of the Citizen