Political Parties

What Did Washington

Say?

What is a Party?
A political party is a group of persons
who seek to control government
through the winning of elections and
the holding of public office

Broad Definition
Can include both Democrats and
Republicans

Essentially

Parties:
Group of persons
Believing in common principles
Seek to control government
Seek to secure the adoption of
certain public policies & programs

Election-Oriented
Republicans & Democrats
They are an organization composed
of three separate elements
The Party Organization
The Party in Government
The Party in the Electorate

The Party Organization

Party leaders
Those who give time, money, & skills to
the party
Party professionals
Run the Party on the National, State &
Local levels

The Party in Government

Candidates and officeholders
Thousands of persons who run
for/hold elective or appointive offices
in the 3 branches of government

The Party in the

Electorate

The millions of people who call

themselves Republicans/Democrats
Supporters of the party
Those who cast votes on the party
label
Why is this a problem?

What Parties Do
Essential to a democratic
government
Link between the people and their
government
Link between the governed and
those who govern
They make the will of the people
known
They hold the government
accountable

Power Brokers
Seek to modify the contending views
of various of various interest groups
Encourage compromise
Help to unify
Soften the impact of extremists

Nominating Candidates
Parties select candidates and present
them to the voters
Help them to win elections

And the Nominee is

Nominating function is almost
exclusively a party function in the
U.S.

Informing and Activating

Supporters

Parties inform people

They activate their interests
Inspire participation in public affairs
Who helps?
-News Media & Interest groups

Inform & Inspire Voters

Campaigning for candidates
Take stands on current issues
Criticize opposing candidates

Reaching the People

Utilize:
Pamphlets
Signs
Buttons
Stickers
Newspapers/Magazines
Radio/TV/Internet
Speeches
Rallies
Conventions

I Want to Win
Issues are crucial
Republicans and Democrats try to
form positions that will attract as
many voters as possible
They DO NOT want to offend people

Bonding Agent Function

Political parties choose qualified
people
Always?
Qualified & of good character

Organized by Party
Congress
State legislatures

Partisanship
Strong support of party
Strong support of party policy
Most appointments are based on
party(Judicial/Cabinet)

Working Together?
Branches of government must WORK
TOGETHER to accomplish anything
meaningful
How can parties help/hurt?

The Watchdog Function

Parties act like watchdogs
Particularly true of the party OUT OF
POWER
Loyal Opposition- opposed to party
in power, loyal to the people

Two Party System

Republicans and Democrats

Why only 2 major parties?
Framers were against political parties
Started as a two party system
Washington Farewell
Americans accept the two party system
because there has always been one

Wasting a Vote?
Many Americans feel voting for a
minor party is wasting a vote
Either they want to keep a person in
office or vote for the person most
likely to replace him/her

Multiparty Systems
Is this good for the U.S.?