Political Parties

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Political Parties Interest Groups

• Lecture 13

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• Both of our political parties, at least the
  honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in
  the same object the public good but they differ
  essentially in what they deem the means of
  promoting that good. One fears most the
  ignorance of the people the other the
  selfishness of rulers independent of them.
• Thomas Jefferson

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Political Parties

• Democratic
• Republican
• Other minor/third parties
• Libertarian, Green, Reform.
• Party members
• Governmental office holders and candidates
• Organizational workers and activists
• Electorate those who vote or consider themselves
  allied with a particular party

4
Third Parties

• Generally arise because of some issue or cause
• Sectionalism Dixiecrats (1948)
• Economic protests Populists (1892)
• Specific issues Green party/environment
• Ideology Socialists, Communists, Libertarians
• Charismatic personality George Wallace /
  American Independent Party

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Why 3rd parties remain minor

• Single-member plurality electoral system
• Winner takes all system argument for
  proportional representation.
• Most states allow Democrats and Republicans on
  ballot while having laws requiring third party
  candidates to gather signatures.
• State and national legislatures are organized on
  a party basis and wish to remain that way
• Public funding of campaigns
• 3rd party must receive over 5 of votes to
  receive funding
• News media ignores 3rd party

6
Evolution of Parties

• Federalists Hamilton
• Whigs supported the supremacy of Congress over
  the Executive Branch and favored a program of
  modernization and economic development.
• Republican
• Anti-Federalists Jefferson
• Democratic-Republican states' rights, opposition
  to a strong national government, hostility toward
  federal courts, and opposition to a Navy and a
  National Bank
• Democratic

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Control of major institutions

• Reconstruction Republican
• 1876-1896 mixed
• 1896-1929 Republican
• 1930s-1940s Democratic
• 1950s-1960s mixed
• 1970s-present neither

8
Political Machines

• Political Machines (1870s-1950s)
• based on patronage, the spoils system, and party
  discipline.
• Patronage system where someone in a powerful
  position offers handouts in return for support.
• Spoils System system where a political party
  gives government jobs to its supporters as a
  reward for working toward victory.
• Party Discipline the ability of a political
  party to get its members to support the policies
  of the party leadership

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Erosion of party power

• Primary system for candidates
• No longer chosen in smoke-filled rooms
• Merit System
• Positions in government now predominately based
  on qualifications.
• Exception cronies
• Rise of issue-oriented politics
• Emphasizes issues over parties
• Television
• Emphasizes individual personalities over parties

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Functions of Parties

• A force for stability and moderation of public
  opinion
• Drive to win elections
• Provide important linkages
• Amongst the branches and levels of government
• Between citizen from different parts of the
  country
• Mobilize support
• Electioneering
• Voting Cue
• Policy formulation and promotion

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Interest Groups

• aka pressure groups, lobby groups, special
  interest groups
• Vary in the types of (economic, public,
  governmental) and number of (single, multi)
  issues they are interested in promoting.
• Examples
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
  32 million members
• AFL-CIO 14.1 million
• National Rifle Association (NRA) 1 million
• American Medical Association (AMA) 300,000

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Evolution of Interest Groups

• The best way to control the mischief of
  factions is through the proliferation of groups.
  (Madison in Federalist 10)
• National Groups Emerge (1830-80)
• Anti-alcohol, peace, slavery, education
• Progressive Era (1890-1920)
• Crime, corruption, labor, trade, poverty
• Organized Labor American Federation of Labor
  (AFL) in 1896
• Trade Associations National Association of
  Manufacturers (NAM) in 1895.
• The Interest Group State (1960 70)
• Women, minority, elderly, poor, consumers, and
  the environment.
• Conservative backlash (late 1970s-1990s)
• Moral Majority Jerry Falwell, 1978
• Christian Coalition Pat Robertson, 1990
• Abortion, prayer in schools, marriage

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Lobbying

• Testify at legislative hearings
• Talk directly to government officials
• Helping to draft legislation
• Rallying constituent support
• Mounting grassroots campaigns
• Letter writing
• Donating money
• Litigation (amicus briefs)
• Endorsing candidates

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Interest Group success

• Three factors
• Have a prominent leader who also helps to finance
  the group
• Funding No money, No play!
• Members Strength in numbers.