Parties and elections 2
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Transcript of Parties and elections 2
EN407-313
English for Political Scientists
Ven.Yota Payutto
Political Parties and ElectionsHow do the people impact whether or not public officials remain in office?
Learning Targets
I CAN: Identify what a political party is Identify existing party affiliations Describe characteristics of each party Explain the influence of political parties in campaigns
leading to elections Explain how parties can experience
advantages/disadvantages in elections Define general and primary elections Describe the difference between primary and general
elections Explain how some candidates can experience
advantages/disadvantages in elections Evaluate the activities of a political party in an election
Learning Targets cont’d
I CAN:
Identify the opportunities that people have in order to impact the jobs of public officials
Define appointments, Electoral College, recall, and impeachment
Describe the process for appointments, Electoral College, recall, and impeachment
Analyze scenarios in which these processes would be applied.
Terms to Know Appointments Electoral College Democrat Republican Independent Third Party Candidates Primaries Campaigns Nomination Incumbents
America’s Two Party System
Democrats (The Left) Follow a “Liberal” philosophy
Believe it is proper for the government to regulate and oversee the economy
Ex: insure minimum wage, require that people contribute to retirement savings
Do not believe the government should have a say in morality or social issues
Ex: no regulations on drug use, abortion practices, or marriages
America’s Two Party System
Republicans (the Right)
Follow a “Conservative” philosophy
Believe that the government should remain “small” in terms of the economy—not get involved
Ex: privatized Social Security, no minimum wage
Believe the government should regulate morality or social issues
Ex: punishment for drug use, laws over marriage practices
Critical Thinking
Based on what you have learned about America’s two dominant political parties, do you fit neatly into one group or the other? If you had to align yourself with one party or the other, which would you choose? Which types of issues would you disagree with that party about?
Other Political Ideologies
Libertarian
Generally agree with Republicans on economic issues
Generally agree with Democrats on social/morality issues
Bottom Line: Prefer a “small” government--one that does not get involved
Populist
Generally agree with Democrats on economic issues
Generally agree with Republicans on social/morality issues
Bottom Line: Prefer a “big” government—one that gets involved
Activity
Step 1: With a partner, make a list of 5-10 issues that affect the United States today.
Write down the viewpoint that you believe each of the four different political ideologies would have regarding each issue.
Example: Privatized Social Security
Liberals: Against
Conservatives: For
Libertarians: For
Populists: Against
What is a Political Party?
Political Party: a group of individuals outside of government who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to determine public policy
Form an important link between the citizens and their government
The Three Dimensions of American Political Parties
The Party in the Electorate
Consists of all eligible voters who identify as Democrats or Republicans
No dues, membership cards, meeting attendance or registration necessary
The Party Organization
Group that make rules, raise money and organize conventions, and seek candidates for their party
The Party in Government
All party members that hold public office
Ex: President, Congressmen, Governors
What do Political Parties do?
Select Candidates
Nomination: a party’s endorsement for a candidate
Primary: a preliminary election to choose a party’s final candidate (nomination)
Inform the Public
Educate the public about important political issues by presenting its views through pamphlets, television, speeches, rallies etc.
Cont’d
Coordinate Policymaking
Party acts as the major institution by which the executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other
The President works with fellow party members in Congress to promote the party agenda
Run Campaigns
Party members work at getting other party members registered, conducting drives for new voters, staff the polling places etc.
Raise Money for Candidates
Major parties raise millions of dollars during each election cycle
Critical Thinking
What do you think is the most important role of the political party? Why?
Third Parties
Third Parties: believe that certain needs and values are not being met by the major parties
Most are short-lived
There have been several third parties throughout history but most fit into one of three categories
Issue-Oriented Parties
Ideological Parties
Splinter, or Personality Parties
Issue-Oriented Parties Formed to promote a particularly timely issue
Examples
Free Soil Party: formed before the Civil War to prevent slavery from expanding into Western territories
Prohibition Party: formed in 1869 to try to convince the government to ban the sale and manufacture of alcohol
Ideological Parties
Parties that support a particular set of beliefs or a particular political doctrine
Example: Socialist Workers
Party
Splinter, or Personality Parties
Develops due to a split with a major political party
Usually formed around a leader with a strong personality
Examples:
Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party
Henry Wallace’s Progressive Party
2008 Third Party Presidential Candidates
Which of the three types of third parties would these political parties fall under?
Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party
Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party
Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party
Primary Elections
Direct Primary: an election held within each party (and controlled by each state) to nominate candidates for the general election
Used by about 3/5 of U.S. states
Closed primary: only registered party members can vote to choose their party’s candidates
Open Primary: voters can vote for a party’s candidates regardless of whether they belong to that party
*United Streaming
Critical Thinking
Which do you think is more fair: an open primary or a closed primary? Why?
General Election
General Election: a regularly scheduled election in which voters choose who will hold public office
Held in even-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
In Presidential Elections, the Electoral College is used
*See electoral college ppt
Campaign-Financing Laws
Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) in 1971-Further amendments were made in 1974
Attempted to solve problems in the ways political campaigns were financed
Restricted the amount that could be spent on advertising
Requires contributions over $100 to be revealed to the public
Allowed government funding for primary and general elections
Prohibits
Donations directly from Corporations, Labor Unions, National Banks etc.
Cash Contributions over $100
PACs
PACs: Political Action Committees
Established by and represent the interests of
Corporations
Labor unions
Special interest groups
Raise money and give donations to campaigns on behalf of the group they represent
To be legitimate: must come from at least 50 volunteer donors and must be given to at least 5 candidates in the national elections
OpenSecrets.org: http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.php?party=R&cycle=2010
Why People Vote as They Do
Party Identification
Acts as a general guide to voter’s choices
Influenced by:
Family
Age
Peer groups
Becoming less and less prominent in predicting voter choices
Critical Thinking
Do you think you’re current party identification is most influenced by your family, peers or age? What do you think the average voter is most influenced by?
Candidates Image
Voters often base decisions on their impression of a candidate rather than his/her actual qualifications
Positive images in history:
Nixon: positive
Negative images in history:
Adlai Stevenson: too intellectual, out of touch
Barry Goldwater: too aggressive/warmongering
Policy Choices
Policy voting occurs when people vote for candidates who share their stand on issues
Usually economic issues have the greatest influence on voters decisions
If the economy is doing well, the incumbent is more difficult to defeat
Other important policy decisions include foreign-policy issues (War) and environmental issues
Socioeconomic Factors
Age
Younger=generally more liberal
Gender
Women=more likely than men to vote Democrat
Education
The more education received=more likely to vote
Occupation and Income
White collar workers=more likely to vote Republican
Blue collar workers=more likely to vote Democrat
Religion and Ethnic Background
African-Americans=more likely to vote Democrat
Geographic Region
Changes throughout history
Currently: South=more likely to vote Republican
New England=more likely to vote Democrat