Political Parties in AP Government

Introduction

• Political parties aim to win elections and control government.
• Party membership is open and fluid.
• Parties exist at national, state, and local levels with distinct structures and goals.

Role of Political Parties

• Linkage Institution: Connects citizens to the government.
• Recruitment and Nomination: Historically done by party leadership; now through primary elections.
• Campaign Management: Despite candidates having personal staff, parties manage strategy and fundraising.
• Policy Articulation and Voter Education: Each party has a platform; educates voters.
• Policy Coordination: Between executive and legislative branches, especially if from the same party.

Party Identification and Voter Behavior

• Party Image: Voters have perceptions about each party.
• Party Identification: Preferences for a party based on alignment with personal beliefs; influenced by age and demographics.
• Straight Ticket Voting: Voting consistently for one party.
• Ticket Splitting: Voting for different parties in different offices, common among independents.

Party Organization

• Decentralized: National, state, and local levels operate independently.
• Local Party Machines: Historically strong but diminished due to reforms (e.g., patronage system).
• State Parties: Set voting rules; vary by state (open vs. closed primaries).
• National Party: Symbolized by national conventions held every four years.

Party in Government

• Policy Influence: Party in power has more influence over public policy.
• Coalitions: Groups supporting a party based on performance.
• Campaign Promises: Often not kept due to changing circumstances, e.g., loss of congressional control.

Historical Party Systems

• No Constitutional Mention: Founders like Washington were wary of parties.
• Evolution of Parties: Shifts due to crises or major events.
  • First Party System: Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans (1796–1824).
  • Second Party System: Whigs vs. Democrats (1828–1856).
  • Third Party System: Republicans vs. Democrats (1860–1928), with shifts post-Civil War.
  • New Deal Coalition: Democrats' dominance from 1932–1968.
  • Southern Realignment: Shift beginning in 1968 with Nixon and continues to modern day.

Divided Party Government

• Post-1968 Era: Different parties often control legislative and executive branches, leading to gridlock.

Third Parties

• Types: Cause parties, offshoots of major parties, individual-centered.
• Impact: Can split votes, influence national debate, but rarely win.
• Structural Barriers: Winner-take-all system hinders third-party success.

Two-Party System

• Reasons for Dominance: Winner-take-all discourages smaller parties.
• Contrast with Proportional Representation: In other countries, allows multiple parties to gain seats.

Complexity in Political Parties

• Diverse Views: Within parties, regional differences can cause disagreements.
• Weak Leadership: Difficult to enforce party unity.

Conclusion

• Political parties are complex and messy but understanding their structure and function is crucial for AP Government.