Political parties seek to attain political power within a government by participating in electoral campaigns. Major factors like representation systems and constitutions impact a country's party structure, determining whether it will be one-party, two-party, or multi-party. Key political cleavages like state vs. church form the basis for parties that remain influential over time despite new issues. The US Constitution is silent on parties because the founders saw them as corrupt, but parties have come to dominate US politics organized around ideologies like conservative vs. liberal economics. Major historical US parties include the Federalists, Democratic-Republicans, Whigs, and modern Republican and Democratic parties.

1. Political Parties

2. Presidential election Results

3. What are political parties? Definition political party is an organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. Parties often support a certain ideology, but may also represent a subgroups that have different interests.

4. Impact of Institutions on Party Structure. One party, Two party, or Multiparty System Contingent on: Majoritarian or Proportional Representation History Constitutions Grand Coalition

5. Theory: Lipset and Rokkan Theory on Political Cleavages Parties that were formed in the aftermath of political, religious, and economic revolutions are frozen. State vs. Church Worker vs. Owner Land vs. Industry Center vs. Periphery (Fed vs. State) These have and will continue to exist in the political arena despite new issues and challenges.

6. The Constitution Says nothing about political parties. Why? Founding fathers felt parties were wicked and corrupt. Did not want parties to control politics. Did not want to pervade the entire country.

7. Major US Political Parties Republican Party- Considered the more socially conservative and economically neoliberal. Laissez-Faire Economics Party Chairman- Ken Mehlman Democratic Party- Considered more socially liberal and economically interventionist. Party Chairman- Howard Dean

8. US Parties: First Party System (before 1824) American Revolution Federalist Founded by Hamilton Supported strong central government Antifederalist Founded by Jefferson Supported more state autonomy Latter became the Republicans

9. US Parties: Second Party System (1824–1854) Tensions rises in the union over tariffs and slavery Democrats Strong state govt opportunities for common man such as farmers hostile to blacks National Republicans (Whig party ) active federal. govt, economic Lassize Faire antislavery,

10. US Parties: Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896 Civil War Northern Democrats Feared strong govt Catholics Advocated for small farmers Needed slavery for economy Sought high inflation Republicans Sought to increase the power of the federal govt. Promoted economic growth and businesses Against the expansion of slavery Promoted evangelical protestant morals and values Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol Public schools w/ protestant curriculum Inflation in check to maintain working class wages

11. History of US Political Parties First Party System (before 1824) Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist (Republicans) The Federalists formed by Hamilton The Anti-Federalist formed by Jefferson Second Party System (1824–1854) Rising levels of voter interest and a high degree of personal loyalty to party. Major parties: Democratic party-liberties, opportunities for common man, hostile to blacks National Republicans (Whig party)- antislavery, active fed. govt, economic conservatives

12. History of US Political Parties Third Party System: Post Civil War (1854–1896) Northern Democrats Feared strong govt Catholics Advocated for small farmers Needed slavery for economy Sought high inflation

13. History of US Political Parties Republicans Promoted economic growth and businesses Against the expansion of slavery Promoted evangelical protestant morals and values Limited/prohibited the sale of alcohol Public schools w/ protestant curriculum Inflation in check to maintain working class wages

14. History of US Political Parties Fourth Party System/ Progressive Era (1896–1932) Conservative and progressive Republicans split 1912 Bull-Moose Party Democrats realign under radical policies. Govt involvement in the economy

15. History of US Political Parties New Deal/Fifth Party System (1932–1964) New Deal Coalition united both African Americans and whites that didn’t like blacks. Both sought relief from the Great Depression 60’s Democrats split Republican block- economic and social conservatives in the south African Americans switched to the Democrats

16. Purpose of Political Parties To mobilize the public in an organization Organize and run elections Recruit Candidates (strategy: TO WIN) Presenting alternative policies Accepting responsibility for the operation of govt. (advocating party agenda) Acting as opposition to party in power.

17. Parties: Party Structure National Level Pres. controls National Convention Party Chairperson National Committee State level Governor controls State party chairperson Party Boss Local Level (Grassroots) County Committee County Chairperson District Leaders Precinct or ward captains Party Workers

18. Parties in Action Meetings Quadrennial Nominate presidential candidate Reveals party platform Introduces new and upcoming stars Establishes party momentum Government Provides funding for candidates Whips legislators Finances Fund raising

19. Accountability to the Voters Presidential and Parliamentary Systems Viable third parties

20. Role of the Citizen