1. Mr. Stroud

2. Voluntary associations of people who seek
to control the government through
common principles based upon peaceful
and legal actions (winning elections).
Political parties are linkage institutions.
They hold the government responsible for
its actions.

3. One Party
• Only one party has a chance of winning
• Generally membership is not voluntary
• Dictatorial government

4.  Two Party System
• Several parties may exist but only TWO dominate
• “Other” or “minor” third parties struggle to survive and
win elections
• The Electoral College and Single member districts limit
3rd Parties
• Generally Two party systems are located in countries
that have a general agreement among the citizens
about the basic principles of government (US Political
Culture)
• Stable system that avoids extremes

5. Multi-Party
• 4 – 20 different parties
• Can be based on region, ideology, class,
religion..etc
• Have proportional representation systems
• Give voters a great deal of choice but….
 Generally no clear winner emerges which leads to
coalition governments and power sharing
 Promotes instability

6.  Recruit Candidates
 Nominate and support Candidates – raise $
and run campaigns
 Educate Voters – inform voters about
candidates and encourage voters to
participate
 Organize Government – The organization of
Congress and state legislatures is based on
political party control (majority v. minority);
political appointments are often based on
party affiliation

7. It is Voluntary in the United States
No Dues
Most states require citizens to identify their
political party when registering to vote
(closed or open primary state)

8. No mention of parties in the Constitution
Most FF hated “factions”
Anti-Fed vs. Fed would eventually form the
foundation for our two party system
Why do we keep it?
• Tradition (British heritage)
• Electoral System (one winner per office )
• Election Law (vary from state to state – limits 3rd
parties)

9. Rise of Party (1789 – 1800)
Democratic Domination (1800-1860)
• Jackson / Party of the Common man
Republican Domination (1860-1932)
Return of the Democrats (1932-1968)
• FDR and the New Deal Coalition
Divided Government (1968 – Present)
• Gridlock

10. When significant numbers of voters no
longer support a particular political party –
often these voters identify themselves as
independent and believe they have no
loyalty to any particular political party

11. The occurs when voting patterns shift and
new coalitions of party support are formed.
• Party in power loses power and a new dominant
party takes its place
• Election of 1860
• Election of 1932
• Election of 1980

12. Exist inside our system
Have a difficult time getting candidates
elected to office (most success at the state
and local level)
Can influence election outcomes
Help push for reform
Two Party system “eats” third parties and
their ideas

13.  Ideological – based on a set of social,
political, or economic beliefs (communist –
socialist)
 Splinter – those who have split away from
one of the major parties; usually revolve
around a strong personality (TR – Bull Moose
/ George Wallace – American Independent)
 Single Issue – parties that focus on one
public policy matter (Free Soil – Right to Life
– Prohibition)
 Protest – rooted in economic discontent –
can be sectional in nature (populist)

14.  National Convention – Party meets each
summer every four years to select candidates
for the President and V.P. / the party platform
is also created
 National Committee – Manages the party
between conventions. Help to raise $.
 National Chairperson – Directs the work of
the national committee, helps fundraise,
recruits new members, builds coalitions and
unit inside the party

15. Congressional Campaign Committee –
Each party has a committee in the House
of Representatives and Senate that works
to ensure the election or reelection of the
party’s candidates by raising funds.

16. State and Local Organization
• Differences exist between states
• State and local parties are organized the same
way as the national party
• Today state party organization is strong and are
well funded (change over time)
• Campaign Finance Reform and the limits on
SOFT MONEY have restricted some power

17. Uncertain…
Political Parties in the US have been losing
power over time
• Third Party Challenge
• Increasing #’s of Independents
• Increase in split ticket voting