Political Parties Political Parties Organized groups that attempt to in uence the government by electing their members to important government of ces Aspects of American Parties There are three key aspects of political parties Party as organization Party in the electorate and elections Party in government Party Organization The formal structures of a political party exist at virtually every level of government Caucus Level State Parties National Parties and National Convention At the National level there are many different party organiations both Democrats and Republicans have National Committees DNC RNC Senatorial Committees DSCC NRSC Congressional Committees DCCC NRCC Decline of the Party Organization beginning of the 20th century Contemporary party organizations are weaker than they were at the secured the loyalty of legions of voters by distributing patronage Those party machines controlled nominations of candidates to of ce and Parties in the Electorate and Elections otherwise support them Political parties can also be conceived of as the voters who belong to or In the United States party membership is really little more than a party Different demographic and ideological groups tend to support one party identi cation or the other Party in the Electorate Party in Government that of other similar democracies The ability of parties to structure and control the government Weak Party in government in the United States In America party in government tends to be weak compared to Divided government In the legislative branch American parties lack the control over the votes of their members What are the functions of political parties Attract partisans get out the vote Recruit candidates Control nominations Coordinate policy and government
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