Chapter 8: Objectives/Notes

Trace the historical development of the American two-party system.

1. 1796-1824: Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jeffersonians) 2. 1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats vs. the Whigs. 3. 1860-1928: The Republican Era 4. 1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition 5. 1968-present: The era of divided government

Explain how electoral rules such as the "winner-take-all" plurality system have helped to maintain a two-party system in the United States.

1. In this system, the party that receives a plurality (more votes than anyone else, even though it may be less than a majority) is declared the winner; the other parties get nothing. 2. This system discourages small parties.

Examine how political parties in a democracy serve as key linkage institutions to translate inputs from the public into outputs from the policymakers.

1. Parties pick policymakers; a nomination is the party's endorsement of a candidate. 2. Parties run campaigns; although parties coordinate the campaigns, recent technology has made it easier for candidates to campaign on their own. 3. Parties give cues to voters; even though party ties have weakened, most voters have a party image of each party; and many voters still rely on a party to give them cues for voting. 4. Parties articulate policies; within the electorate and in the government, each political party advocates specific policy alternatives. 5. Parties coordinate policy-making; each office holder is also a member of a party, and the first place they look for support is to their fellow partisans.

Determine the consequences or effects of the American two-party system as contrasted with a multi-party system.

1. The most obvious consequence of two-party system is the moderation of political conflict and political ambiguity. 2. In multi-party systems, a coalition government is created when two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature.

Understand the roles of the party-in-the-electorate, the party as an organization, and the party-in-government.

1. The party-in-the-electorate are individuals who perceive themselvesas party members; many voters have a party identification that guides and influences their votes. No dues or membership cards;one needs only to claim to be a member. 2. The party as an organization has a national office, a full-time staff,rules and bylaws, and budgets. American parties are loosely organized at the national, state, and local levels. The party organization pursues electoral victory. 3. The party-in-government consists of elected officials who call themselves members of the party (such as President and Congress). These leaders do not always agree on policy; but they are the main spokespersons of the party.

Evaluate proposals that call for a "more responsible two-party system."

1. The responsible party model calls for each party to present distinct, comprehensive programs; carry out its program if elected; implement its programs if it is the majority party or state what it would do if it were in power; and accept responsibility for the performance of the government. 2. Under this model, a party's officeholders would have firm control of the government, and they would be collectively (rather than individually) responsible for their actions.

Understand the significance of the weak and decentralized character of the American party system.

1. They are too decentralized to take a single national position and then enforce it. 2. Because virtually anyone can vote in party primaries, parties do not have control over those who run under their labels. 3. In America's loosely organized party system, there is no mechanism for a party to discipline officeholders and ensure cohesion in policymaking. 4. Weak parties make it easier for politicians to avoid tough decisions; this creates gridlock. 5. Divided government has meant that neither party is really in charge, and each points the finger at the other.

Evaluate the impact of third parties on American politics and the American party system.

1. Third parties have controlled enough votes in one-third of the last thirty-six presidential elections to have decisively tipped the electoral college vote. 2. They have brought new groups into the electorate and have served as "safety valves" for popular discontent. 3. They have brought new issues to the political agenda.

Examine the significance of divided government and explain how the recent pattern of divided government may explain party dealignment.

An unprecedented period of divided government (when theexecutive and legislative branches are controlled by different parties) has existed since 1968. Party dealignment means that people are gradually moving away fromboth political parties. 1. Many political scientists believe that the recent pattern of divided government means that the party system has dealigned rather than realigned. 2. Many scholars fear that the parties are becoming useless and ineffective through the pattern of divided government and dealignment.

Differentiate between the ideology or party philosophy of the Democratic and Republican parties.

Democrats: 1.Liberals (open to change) 2. Strong national government 3. Provide services 4. More government spending 5. Higher taxes Republicans: 1. Conservatives (maintain status quo) 2. Strong state governments 3. Provide protection 4. Less government spending 5. Lower taxes

Describe Anthony Downs' rational-choice theory as a working model of the relationship among citizens, parties, and policy.

Rational-choice theory assumes that parties and political actors have goals (such as winning elections) that are more important to the partythan ideology. 1. If both parties and voters are rational, both will try to select the best way to achieve their goals. 2. In order to win an office, the wise party pursues policies that have broad public appeal. 3. The majority of the American electorate are in the middle, and successful parties in the U.S. rarely stray far from the midpoint of public opinion. 4. Although we frequently hear criticism that there is not much difference between the Democrats and Republicans, the two parties have little choice (given the nature of the American political market). 5. The two parties have to forge different identities in order to build voter loyalty.

Explain why it is rational in the American two-party system for both Democrats and Republicans to stay near the center of public opinion.

Since the majority of voters are in the middle, politicians must not stray far from the middle in order to not alienate voters.

Describe what is meant by party eras, critical elections, and party realignment.

Throughout American history, one party has been the dominant majority party for long periods of time (referred to as party eras). 1. Party eras were punctuated by critical elections, in which new issues appeared that divided the electorate and party coalitions underwent realignment. 2. A party realignment (a rare event) is typically associated with a major crisis or trauma in the nation's history (such as the Civil War and the great Depression, both of which led to realignments). 3. A new coalition (a set of individuals or groups supporting the party) is formed for each party, and the coalition endures for many years. 4. A critical election period may require more than one election before change is apparent, but the party system will be transformed in such a period.