POLS 206 Lecture 11 Outline of Previous Lecture What Polls Reveal About Americans Political Information Decline of Trust in Government o 6 4 Do People Think in Ideological Terms o 6 5 How Americans Participate in Politics o 6 6 Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Democracy Public Opinion and Political Action Chapter 8 Political Parties o 8 1 Task of Parties Parties Voters and Policy Downs Model Outline of Current Lecture o 8 2 Party in the Electorate o 8 3 Party Organization Local Parties 50 State Party System National Party Organization o 8 4 Party in Government o 8 5 Party Eras in American History Lecture o o 8 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 8 3 Party Organization From Grass Roots to Washington 2nd Head of political Giant Local Parties Once main party organization Party machines o o 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 8 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 8 5 Party Eras in American History 1796 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 president 1932 1964 New Deal Coalition FDR wins Democratic nomination and presidency 1968 Present Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party Government
View Full Document
Unlocking...