POLS 206 Lecture 11Outline of Previous LectureWhat Polls Reveal About Americans Political InformationDecline of Trust in Governmento6.4Do People Think in Ideological Terms o6.5How Americans Participate in Politicso6.6Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Democracy, Public Opinion and Political Action-Chapter 8: Political Parties o8.1Task of PartiesParties, Voters, and Policy: Downs ModelOutline of Current Lectureo8.2Party in the Electorateo8.3Party Organization-Local Parties-50 State Party System-National Party Organizationo8.4Party in Governmento8.5Party Eras in American HistoryLectureo8.2-Party in the Electorate (1st Head of Political Giant) (largest)Party membership is psychological Citizens think they know what parties stand for Choose parties based on affinity with personal preferences More Americans identify as independents (40%)-Party identification is declining -Since 1960's independents have been rising o8.3-Party Organization: From Grass Roots to Washington (2nd Head of political Giant)Local Parties -Once main party organization -Party machines-Rewarded voters -New York and Chicago -Patronage - concept of material rewards for loyal voters (ex. Needing anything from trash can to a job)-Jobs for voters and contributors -Progressive reforms ended this system 50 State Party System -No two exactly alike -Some well-funded, some weak -Permanent headquarters -Provide technical services -Open or closed primaries -Closed - states with this have stronger parties, you must register with a party to vote in that party's primary -Open - only have to register to vote -Straight-ticket voting -Single column or random list of candidates National Party Organizations -National Convention - supreme authority within the party -Meets every four years -Writes party platform -Formal nomination of candidates -National Committee -Operates between conventions (keep the party going in between elections) -Led by national chairperson o8.4 -Party in Government: Promises and Policy (3rd Head of political giant)Party in power determines policy Coalitions support parties Most presidents fail to implement campaign promises But they do live up to some of them Party platforms are blueprints o8.5-Party Eras in American History1796-1824: First Party System (Hamilton's Federalists vs Jefferson's Democratic Republicans) 1828-1856: Jackson and Democrats vs The Whigs -Jackson is father of modern democrats with roots in Jefferson (oldest political party in the world)-Whigs were northern industrialists and southern plantation owners, only could agree on hatred for jackson's policies 1860-1928: Two Republican Eras -Birth of Republicans: Principle Antislavery Movement-Critical Election: 1860, split democrats (north antislavery vs south slavery)and allowed Lincoln to win becoming first Republican president1932-1964: New Deal Coalition -FDR wins Democratic nomination and presidency 1968-Present: Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party
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