public policy: People

CHAPTER 13CHAPTER 13Political Parties and VotingPolitical Parties and Voting

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning2

Explain the historical development of the modern Democrat and Republican Parties

Define “critical elections” and party realignment and dealignment in the United States and cite examples of their occurrence

Identify and explain the three broad functions of political parties

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives


Describe the historical and legal factors that contributed to the development of the two-party system in the United States

Assess the role that third parties have played in U.S. elections

Illustrate how party organizations operate at the national, state, and local levels, including how they define party platforms and help their candidates win elections



Analyze the decline in political parties over the past few decades and assess the future prospects for the parties

Review the role of state governments in managing elections

Evaluate the effect of various constitutional amendments on the expansion of voting rights in the United States

Distinguish between the wide array of voter registration systems implemented in the 50 states



Assess the influence of different factors in influencing voter turnout, including personal demographics and the type of election contest

Analyze the trends in U.S. voter turnout over time and how turnout in the United States compares to that in other democracies

Explain the many forms of political participation beyond voting

The Development of The Development of Political Parties in the United StatesPolitical Parties in the United States


Founders designed a federal system without political parties Promote corruption and bias

Political Parties Seek to win elections to influence government Guided by a political philosophy Values/ideas lead to specific issue positions


The Development of The Development of Political Parties in the United Political Parties in the United StatesStates


The First Parties in America British Tory Party

Supporters of the English crown

British Whig Party Advocates of independence

Federalists and Anti-Federalists Pitted against each other over ratification debate



George Washington despised parties His supporters organized the Federalist Party

Democratic-Republican Party Opposed an overly strong national government Challenged the Federalists



1796 election Federalists endorsed Adams who won the

presidency Democratic-Republicans endorsed Jefferson

who won the vice-presidency

1800 election Resulted in a tied Electoral College vote Process modified to recognize political parties



Twelfth Amendment Deferred to the reality of political parties Formally separated Electoral College vote for

president and vice president Helped avoid the earlier problems of a bipartisan

presidency and/or a tied vote




The 1800 election marked the beginning of the end Federalist party Became extinct after the election of 1820

Lack of competition fragmented the Democratic-Republicans

1824 election No candidate received a majority of electoral votes



A Second Party System Emerges Andrew Jackson formed the Democratic Party Adams supporters formed National Republican

Party Election of 1828

Jackson elected based on his populist campaign Changed the nature of campaigns Presidential election influenced by masses



National party conventions established Delegates choose presidential and VP candidates Draft the party platform Coordinate party activities across the states

Whigs and Democrats were national parties Civil War was demise of Whig party Republican Party replaced the Whig party



Modern Party System in America Five critical elections

1828: Jackson’s populist campaign 1860: Slavery was the defining issue 1896: Geographic party dominance 1932: The Great Depression 1968: “Dealignment”

The Functions of Political PartiesThe Functions of Political Parties


Contesting Elections Recruiting and Nominating Candidates

Want candidates that represent the party well

Provide Framework for Voters Voters associate political parties with broad

approaches to governing



Party identification Feelings of attachment to a particular party Helps form attitudes on issues and voting decisions Normal vote

Research shows There are more party identifiers than independents Number of Democrats and Republicans is equal

Party Identifiers Who Say They Will Party Identifiers Who Say They Will Support the Party LineSupport the Party Line


Party Identification: the Most Democratic Party Identification: the Most Democratic States and the Most Republican StatesStates and the Most Republican States




Providing Organization for the Operations of Government Leadership in Congress is based on majority party Partisanship influences policy decisions Divided Government

Difficult to advance policy goals Obama’s 2008 victory temporarily ended divided

government

Partisan Voting in CongressPartisan Voting in Congress


Why a Two-Party System?Why a Two-Party System?


Factors that contribute to a two-party system Electoral College Winner take all process for members of Congress Ideological nature of public opinion in America Laws and regulations governing campaigns favor

major parties

Why a Two-Party System?Why a Two-Party System?


Minor and Third Parties Most fail to register 1% of the popular vote in

presidential elections Obstacles

Sense that the vote would be wasted Historical/cultural institutionalization of two-party system Most voters identify with one of the two major parties Limited media attention or coverage

Party OrganizationsParty Organizations


National party organizations Established by Andrew Jackson Run by national committee/national committee chair Oversee presidential campaigns and congressional

elections Today involved in raising money and campaigning

Strategy, planning, and advising handled by campaign staff

Are Parties in Decline?Are Parties in Decline?


U.S. political parties may be in decline Others argue certain aspects are declining Scholars argue that parties are showing

resurgence in relevance Parties remain alive and active regardless of

view

VotingVoting


Representative democracy Citizens choose those responsible for making and

enforcing public policy Majoritarianism

Choice supported by most voters prevails Consent of governed is satisfied

Voting Ensures majority will rule Requires elections on regular basis

The Ways in Which The Ways in Which Americans Participate in PoliticsAmericans Participate in Politics


VotingVoting


Toward Universal Suffrage Originally limited to white men with property Civil War Amendments Fifteenth Amendment

Poll tax, literacy test

Nineteenth Amendment Twenty-third Amendment Twenty-fourth Amendment Twenty-sixth Amendment

VotingVoting


Voter Registration Laws Massachusetts first to require people to register Most state registration systems adopted after

Civil War Individuals must meet qualifications to vote Self-initiated voter registration Motor Voter law

Exercising the FranchiseExercising the Franchise


Factors that lead people to vote Interest in politics Sense of “civic duty” Perception of impact on outcome Social group pressure



Who Turns out to Vote? Youth nonvoting

Less rooted in a community

Wealthy and educated citizens more likely to vote Education sharpens the mind Improves ability to understand problems



Methods of Casting a Ballot Hand-counted paper ballots Mechanical lever machines Computer punch cards Optical scan cards Electronic voting systems

Differences in Voter Turnout Among Demographic Differences in Voter Turnout Among Demographic Groups in the 2008 Presidential ElectionGroups in the 2008 Presidential Election




Why Don’t More People Vote? High turnout shows healthy democratic system Rational choice theory

Costs outweigh benefits

Five factors that characterize a high-stimulus election

Presidential elections produce highest turnouts

Voter Turnout in U.S. Congressional Voter Turnout in U.S. Congressional and Presidential Electionsand Presidential Elections




U.S. Voting Compared to Other Democracies Large number of elections in America Tuesdays are workdays Voting in U.S. requires advance registration Perception of impact has declined Extensions of franchise lead to declines in turnout Voting in the United States is not compulsory The decline in “social capital”



Is Nonvoting a Problem? Yes

Low turnout is a symptom of a weak democracy Awards advantages to affluent society groups

No Voting for sake of voting produces poor choices Voting is voluntary May be an indication of satisfaction

Participation beyond VotingParticipation beyond Voting


Three forms of protests Legal protests

Marches, sit-ins, rallies

Acts of nonviolent civil disobedience Blacks protesting segregation during the 1950/1960s

Illegal violent protest activities Response to white police officers beating black man in

Los Angeles


Participation beyond VotingParticipation beyond Voting

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