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Political Parties. Outline:. Characteristics of Party Realignment Role of the Parties Electoral Systems Coalitions Third Parties Party Organizations. Characteristics of Realignment. Post Civil War, there has been consistent competition between Dems and Repubs
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Outline: • Characteristics of Party Realignment • Role of the Parties • Electoral Systems • Coalitions • Third Parties • Party Organizations
Characteristics of Realignment Post Civil War, there has been consistent competition between Dems and Repubs Realignment occurs when the parties adapt during crises: • Powerful and divisive issue (War, Economy) • Elections with huge shifts in voter support • A major change in policy by dominant party • Enduring change in the party coalitions
Three critical realignments: • The Civil War Realignment • Repubs dominate • Dems blamed for war, but they had the “Solid South” • 1896 Realignment • Economic panic, blamed on Dem Cleveland • Strengthened Repubs • Great Depression Realignment • Crash blamed on Hoover • Dems reign for next 36 years; interrupted only by IKE in the 50s
Recent realignment (ish) Southern shift from solid Dem to solid Repub • Civil Rights Act, Vietnam War, New Deal politics ending • Splinters the Dems, Repubs revitalize Southern voters • Not as abrupt as the other three
Party Roles • Linkage institutions • Connect citizens to government • Gives popular majorities a choice over how they will be governed • Strongest indicator of how someone will vote • Gain power by winning elections
Electoral Systems: Why only two parties? • An exception for democracies around the world • Tradition • Single Member Districts • Elect a single member to each district (candidate with most votes wins) • Contrast to a proportional system • Play to the middle • Median voter theorem
Platforms Dems Repubs Abortion: Pro-Life Civil Rights: Traditional definition of marriage Education: Promote school choice Healthcare: individuals manage their needs Immigration: Fence Taxes: Cuts for all • Abortion: Choice • Civil Rights: No gay marriage ban • Education: Hire more teachers • Healthcare: Affordable healthcare for all • Immigration: Pathway • Taxes: Cuts for working families, not rich 1%
Third Parties • Reform • Progressives • Reform • Single Issue • Free Soil • Greenback • Prohibition • Populists • Ideological • Libertarian • Tea • Green
Mitt Romney Former Massachusetts Governor
Mike Huckabee Former Arkansas Governor
Sarah Palin Former Alaska Governor
Tim Pawlenty Former Minnesota Governor
SNL • http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/mitt-romney-chris-christie-cold-opening/1361090 • http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/gop-debate-3-cold-open/1368128
Party orgs weaken over time: • Nomination (Party to Candidate) • Progressives (Reform in response to corruption) • Primaries (Party choice to voter choice) • Money (Party generated to candidate generated) • Jobs (Patronage to merit system)
Changes in the Nominating Process (McGovern-Fraser Reforms) Until 1968 • Party Dominated • Few Primaries • Short Campaigns • Easy Money • Limited Media Coverage • Late Decisions • Open Conventions After 1968 • Candidate Dominated • Many Primaries • Long Campaigns • Difficult Fundraising • Media Focused • “Front-Loaded” • Closed Conventions