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Party Organization and Functions

Explore the intricacies of party organization and function in American politics, focusing on the two major parties, Republicans and Democrats. Learn about membership, grassroots movements, and the structure from local precincts to national committees. Understand the essential functions of recruiting candidates, educating the public, and operating government agendas. Discover the significance of the National Convention, the nomination process, and the role of the loyal opposition. This overview provides insights into how political parties influence governance and public opinion.

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Party Organization and Functions

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  1. Party Organization and Functions

  2. Party Organization • Party Memberships • 2 Major American Parties: Republicans and Democrats • No formal requirements for membership • affiliation declared at registration

  3. Organization • Local: Grassroots, the underestimated force • Divided by precincts, led by Precinct captain • neighboring precincts form Wards, represented at county committee • State: State Central Committee • made up of county representatives, led by state chairperson • help elect members to state government positions • National: Three Parts • National Convention: meets every four years to elect party’s candidate for POTUS • National Committee: led my national chairperson, runs party operations and raises money • Congressional campaign committee: raises money and identifies candidate to run in congressional elections

  4. Party Functions

  5. Party Functions Recruit candidates • Most important function • must be appealing, share basic ideology Educate the Public • take positions on important issues • Frame the opposition

  6. Party Functions Operate the government • agendas in line with party platforms • ties together branches Dispense patronage • jobs, appointments, contracts • The Pendleton Act (1883)

  7. Party Functions The Loyal Opposition • provides alternative to party in power • fights to preserve the rights of the minority Reduce conflict • builds coalitions of interest groups • moderate policies, mass appeal

  8. Nominating Candidates • Historical Methods • Caucus … still used, most notably in Iowa • National Convention • Direct Primary System • Determine votes of Convention Delegates • Closed vs. Open Primary • Caucuses vs. primaries • Criticisms: • Front loading; Image over issues

  9. The National Convention • Pre-election meeting of the national party • Bound vs. Unbound delegates • Superdelegates • Determines the party’s ticket & finalizes the platform • Criticism: operates more as a pep rally than serious meeting

  10. Ticket splitting and voting for the opposition

  11. WHY HAS THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM PERSISTED IN THE UNITED STATES? • Plurality System • Voter Opinion • State Laws • Minor Parties • Ideological • One-issue • Economic-protest • Factional

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