POL 423 Midterm

dealignment

decline in party loyalties; a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation, without developing a new one to replace it

Democratic Party (history of)

democratic party was Dem-Rep originally and formed to oppose a national bank and didn't support tariffs, and their support was agrian; the modern party formed in 1830 after the election of Andrew Jackson and he changed Dem-Rep into the Democrats; the democrats supported agrarian interest and new immigrants but split over slavery supported slavery; after the election of FDR, the democrats coalition was changed by the new deal coalition to those who were less privileged, minorities, and lower incomes liek industrial workers, and democrats support social safety net programs; the democrats, especially since FDR have been more liberal on civil rights and economic issues than republicans

Discuss the theories that suggest why the US is dominated by the two major parties.

duverger's law, social consensus theory, party self protection theory

maintaining election

election where the party that has majority support from the electorate remains in control and their candidate for president wins; ex. FDR in 1936, the same party that held control of the majority in congress and POTUS retains control; these elections have shorter term consequences

Why do Americans have the political attitudes that they have? - other

era in which born, religious beliefs and how strictly one practices them

Why do Americans have the political attitudes that they have? - adulthood

experiencing new things and new environments like college, work, marriage, one's community

Whig Party

had roots in the old Democratic-Republican Party, but in a faction that opposed the Jacksonians; the party stood for legislative supremacy and protested the strong presidency of Andrew Jackson; short lived; greatest leaders were Henry Clay and Daniel Webster; ; was an unstable coalition of many interests, among them nativism, property, and business and commerce.

patronage

jobs, grants, or other special favors that are given as rewards to friends and political allies for their support and political loyalty rather than qualifications; oftentimes jobs in city governments like Chicago (GET A LITTLE MORE ON THIS)

Republican Party (history of)

ormed when the Whig party split over the issue of slavery; Republican party was the antislavery party; until the 1960s, the party was the dominate party over civil rights; after the 1960s, they have become a more pro-business and rurally based party

Why do Americans have the political attitudes that they have? - early childhood

parents and parenting style, peer pressure from friends, school in general

cadre party

party organization is run by a few leaders and activists with little or no broader public participation; these individuals control the resources of the party; focus largely on electing party candidates rather than on issues/candidate ideology; cadre party, then, is a coalition of people and interests brought together temporarily to win elections, only to shrink to a smaller core once the election is over; formed historically where the right to vote was restricted; basic element is the caucus

Duverger's Law

plurality elections (winner take-all) in single member districts (and a single executive) creates a two party system; (person who gets the most votes wins even if they don't have a majority)

Had there been any recent shifts in the parties' voting blocks?

shift among white voters along educational lines.

material incentives/benefits

tangible rewards for activity (cash payments or other concrete rewards) for one's work; things such as patronage and preferment in things like business contracts are some material benefits

solidary incentives/benefits

the intangible, social benefits that people can gain from associating with others, networking, and being part of a group; EX: meeting minded people create a connection that could potentially help you; Physiologically it might be nice to meet like-minded people; Get to go to events if the candidate wins

Party Self-protection Theory

the two parties will take measures to restrict third parties' abilities to run and win

attitudinal independent

these voters have a change in attitude and then leave the party; they still lean one way when voting; not pure independents

Social Consensus Theory

we as a society all agree that two parties is the best because Americans tend to favor the status quo

Had there been any recent shifts in the parties' voting blocks? Democrats

white college-educated voters shift away from Republicans to Democrats and more women since 2015

Had there been any recent shifts in the parties' voting blocks? Republicans

white non-college educated voters shifting support to the Republican party

political party

A political party is a group organized to nominate candidates, to try to win political power through elections, and to promote ideas around public policies; traits: Group of people forming a legitimate organization, share common beliefs, influence public policy, purpose is to win elections, they provide a label, a loose coalition of political interest; formed from congressional caucuses and state legislatures need to break into groups sharing common interests, not because of a mass electorate

Why do Americans have the political attitudes that they have? Which do you think are the most important sources of influence? Also, describe the most important voting blacks that make up the coalition of Democratic and Republican parties. Had there been any recent shifts? Discuss.

Americans' political attitudes are shaped by many factors in early childhood including one's parents and their parenting style, peer pressure from friends, and school in general. In adulthood, peoples' political attitudes are shaped by a multitude of influences mainly from experiencing new things and moving into new environments like college, work, marriage, and one's community are shaping forces in adulthood. Moreover, many Americans are socialized by the era in which they were born and their religious beliefs as well as how strictly one adheres to those beliefs. One's family, more specifically their parents, is the most important source of influence. Parents have the first imprint of political attitudes onto a child and typically, once one's political attitudes and party ID have developed, they hold steadfast into adulthood. The most important voting bloc that makes up the Democratic coalition is minorities; Black, Hispanic, and Asian voters overwhelmingly support the Democratic party. Also, younger voters, especially millennials, are far more likely to support the Democratic party. Geographically, those who reside in urban areas are a stronghold of support for Democratic candidates. Along religious lines, Jews are an important bloc of support for Democrats. Finally, women are more likely than men to support Democrats. The backbone of the Republican party's support is white non-college educated men along with Mormons and evangelical protestants. Additionally, those who live in more rural areas are more likely to support Republicans. Finally, Republican support is stronger among older voters. Recent shifts have occurred among white voters along educational lines. White non-college educated voters are dramatically shifting support to the Republican party. Whereas white college-educated voters have shifted away from Republicans and now are more likely to support the Democratic party. Also, since 2015, the share of women who lean or identify with the Democratic party has risen significantly.

two-party system allows voters from each district and state to vote for the one person they wish to represent them on behalf of their favored party

As opposed to the multiparty system where the party sends candidates into office based upon the number of seats allocated to them.

Would you consider the president day American political parties to be cadre parties, or do they appeal ideologically to the masses? Explain, using examples to clarify your answer.

Cadre parties; The great majority of local and state party leaders and activists are not paid professionals but volunteers, whose party activities increase at election time through activities such as get out the vote campaigns and working as poll workers. These organization leaders don't try hard to control the party's candidates and elected officials. Most party identifiers in the United States have no involvement in the party organization. The major parties concentrate on electing candidates more than on educating voters on issues.

What are the functions of a political party?

Educate/propagandize the public, Nominate candidates, Mobilize voters, Provide a label, Reduce complexity and chaos in government/provide structure, Conguel support and brings people together, Serve as socializing agents, primary purpose is to win elections

Which do you think are the most important sources of influence?

Family, specifically parents; first impact political attitudes on kid; once one has a political attitude and party ID they remain steadfast

How would you define a "political party"?

I would define a political party as a group of people legitimately organized to acquire and exercise political power.

Hersey says that the definition of a "political party" is rooted in a particular time and is influenced by what one thinks it ought to be. How would you define a "political party"? What are its functions? Would you consider the president day American political parties to be cadre parties, or do they appeal ideologically to the masses? Explain, using examples to clarify your answer.

I would define a political party as a group of people legitimately organized to acquire and exercise political power. The functions of a political party include educating/propagandizing the public, nominating candidates, mobilizing voters, providing a label for candidates, reducing the complexity and chaos in government by providing structure through a label, tongue support and bringing people together, and serving as socializing agents. The primary purpose of a political party is to win elections. Present-day American political parties are cadre parties. The great majority of local and state party leaders and activists are not paid professionals but volunteers, whose party activities increase at election time through activo=ities such as get out the voter campaigns and working as poll workers. These organization leaders don't try hard to control the party's candidates and elected officials. Most party identifiers in the United States have no involvement in the party organization. The major parties concentrate on electing candidates more than on educating voters on issues.

two party system places restrictions on the amount of extremism that enters the government

In a multiparty system, anyone with views that are exceptionally extreme can become a representative. Whereas a two-party system encourages the candidates to be one who best represents the entire platform of a party, not just an extreme section of the platform

deviating election

Individual identification within the parties remains stable, the majority party retains power, but a number of party loyalists defect and support the POTUS candidate of the other party; ex. Bill Clinton in 1992 & 1996, Eisenhower (Dem. heavily controlled Congress but many Dem. supported Eisenhower); POTUS will be a different party than the party in power of Congress (they will control both houses); Shorter term consequences

mass membership party

Large enrolled membership; Party controls activities as a way to bring in people into the party; Main function of party is to educate people about issues and also help provide social services; ore ideological and actually want to implement programs (as opposed to cadre who mainly want to win elections); Came about to mobilize the working class; like a labor union

Describe the most important voting blocks that make up the coalition of Democratic party.

Minorities: Black. Hispanic, Asian, Younger (especially millennial), Urban, Jews, More women, Higher educated whites

Would democracy be better served if we had a multiparty system?

No; two-party system makes it easier for worthy candidates to run for public office, two party system places restrictions on the amount of extremism that enters the government, two-party system allows voters from each district and state to vote for the one person they wish to represent them on behalf of their favored party

preferments

People and businesses (usually with contracts) through support of a party will get certain preference; ex: Construction company contributes to a winning candidate's campaign and that company gets the contract

Describe the most important voting blocks that make up the coalition of Republican party.

Rural, White, Older, More men, Less educated, Mormons and Evangelical protestants

behavioral independent

Switch between parties in different elections; Likely don't participate at all; Pure independents - 10%; Likely don't understand politics

Democratic National Committee

The democrats proportion seats based on population and party support; 430 total people in committee thus reducing the influence of conservatives and moderates within the DNC; Because of campaign finance rules, the national committee and the presidential candidate's own campaign organization have to work separately

In the U.S., our party system is dominated by two major parties. Discussed the theories that suggest why this is the case. Why haven't third parties been more successful? In your opinion, will democracy be better served if we had a multiparty system (as an Italy)? Explain.

The first theory is Duverger's Law, stating that the two party system persists because of plurality elections (winner-take-all) in single-member districts (and a single executive). The second theory is Dualist Theory, stating that there are two sides to an issue therefore there are only two parties. The third theory is the Social Consensus Theory stating that we as a society all agree that two parties is the best because Americans tend to favor the status quo. The final theory about the persistence of the two-party system is the Party Self-Protection Theory, stating that the two parties will take measures to restrict third parties abilities to run and win elections. The main reason third parties haven't been successful is primarily due to Duverger's Law. The winner-take-all system in American elections causes third party candidates to be unable to garner enough support to win the plurality of votes. Democracy would not be better served if we had a multiparty. While the two-party system has its flaws, it is more beneficial than a multiparty system. First, the two-party system makes it easier for worthy candidates to run for public office. The two parties can not only raise funds for candidates, they also can give a base of support that would otherwise be lost if not for the large and expansive party. Also, for the most part, the two party system places restrictions on the amount of extremism that enters the government. In a multiparty system, anyone with views that are exceptionally extreme can become a representative. Whereas a two-party system encourages the candidates to be one who best represents the entire platform of a party, not just an extreme section of the platform. Finally, the two-party system allows voters from each district and state to vote for the one person they wish to represent them on behalf of their favored party. As opposed to the multiparty system where the party sends candidates into office based upon the number of seats allocated to them.

Why haven't third parties been more successful?

The main reason third parties haven't been successful is primarily due to Duverger's Law. The winner-take-all system in American elections causes third party candidates to be unable to garner enough support to win the plurality of votes.

Republican National Committee

The republicans give each state and territory three seats on the RNC; 165 total people in the committee; Because of campaign finance rules, the national committee and the presidential candidate's own campaign organization have to work separately.

two-party system makes it easier for worthy candidates to run for public office

The two parties can not only raise funds for candidates, they also can give a base of support that would otherwise be lost if not for the large and expansive party.

stractarchy

a political system wherein power is diffused among and within levels of party organization; this is the way power is distributed from the state level of a political party downward to the local level; each level is independent of one another

party realignment

a significant and enduring change in the patterns of group support for the parties, usually (but not always) leading to a new majority party; realigning elections are the beginning of a sustained and prolonged change in the electorate, coalitions that make up a party's support changes, minority party becomes majority party, and the minority party POTUS candidate wins; ex: FDR 1932 and the New Deal Coalition, these create the largest change in political dynamics in the country and have longer term consequences

purposive incentives/benefits

also called issue-based incentives are intangible benefits referring to the sense of satisfaction people feel when promoting an issue or cause that matters to them; ex: an anti-abortion activist drawn to the Republican Party as a means of stopping abortion.