Chapter 7

This chapter covered the political party as an organization, which, unlike interest groups or social movements, actually seeks to control the apparatuses of government by competing in elections with candidates under a single party label.

After discussing the history of the American two-party systems from its pre-party beginnings to the present- day conditions of the era of divided government, the chapter then moved into the presentation of the parties through their roles as party in the electorate, party organization, and the party in government.

The party in the electorate was detailed in two ways, first as a tri-partite group of partisans and independents and then as a bifurcated re-balanced partisanship that included most independents as closeted partisans. The party organization was divided amongst local, state, and national parties that operate largely independently of one another. The heyday of the local organizations was during the time of patronage’s spoils system. State parties are run by the state central committee and engage in many in-kind services for candidates and incumbents during election cycles. The national parties are run by national committees and have resurged in American electoral politics in recent years because they have become candidate service organizations, especially regarding fund raising and dissemination. Trends were identified relative to the basic constituencies of interest associated with each of the major parties, particularly since the time of the New Deal. These constituencies are differentiated along racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and class lines, with the Republicans seen as the party of the “haves” and the Democrats as the party of the “have-nots.” Lastly, the institutional blocks keeping minor parties out of the “game of electoral politics” were discussed in some detail, especially regarding the determinative role of our “first-past-the-post” electoral system in serving as a decisive bulwark to the two-party system.

Quizzes

Question 1

How many party periods have there been in American political history?

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

None

Question 2

Historically, conflict between the American major political parties has followed what pattern?

15-20 years of one-party dominance followed by 15 years of party competition

15 years of one-party dominance followed by 15-20 years of party competition

10 years of one-party dominance followed by 10 years of party competition

There was no sustained pattern involving the level of conflict between the two major parties

None

Question 3

How was the presidential election of 1824 decided?

By the Senate

By the House of Representatives

By the Electoral College

By the popular vote

None

Question 4

What did the two party periods falling between 1800 and 1856 have in common with respect to the character of their inter-party conflict?

Rough party parity

Intense party competition throughout

The ongoing struggle of limited versus big government

One-party dominance throughout

None

Question 5

Define the concept “party in the electorate.”

The voters who identify with a political party

The permanent structure of party offices and officials

The officeholders who ran under or have been associated with a party label

All of these

None

Question 6

In addition to the electoral system, what are two other constraints placed on minority parties seeking to win elections in America?

State electoral rules and inequitable access to campaign funds

Federal electoral rules and inequitable access to campaign funds

Presidential debate restrictions and major party absorption of minor party issues

All of these

None

Question 7

What is the role of the congressional party that does not control the presidency?

To serve as the loyal opposition by offering dissent when in the congressional minority and alternative governance when in the congressional majority

To serve as the loyal opposition by offering alternative governance when in the congressional minority and dissent when in the congressional majority

To try to impose gridlock on the governmental system

To try to work with the President in a completely cohesive fashion by following his lead

None

Question 8

What is the difference between an initiative and a referendum?

With an initiative, the people get to vote directly on a question of public policy, whereas with a referendum, the people are only allowed to elect a representative who will vote on (“refer to”) a question on their behalf.

An initiative is an election for selecting (“initiating”) a candidate who will represent a party in the general election, whereas a referendum is a vote by the people on a question of public policy. (Initiatives strengthen parties while referenda weaken parties.)

In both initiatives and referenda, the people vote directly on a question of public policy placed on a ballot. The difference is that, in initiatives, government places (“initiates”) the question on the ballot, whereas in referenda, the people themselves control what goes on the ballot.

In both initiatives and referenda, the people vote directly on a question of public policy placed on a ballot. The difference is that, in referenda, government places the question on the ballot, whereas in initiatives, the people themselves control (“initiate”) what goes on the ballot.

None

Question 9

What is “presidential support” as reported by the Congressional Quarterly?

CQ does not report presidential support.

The proportion of votes in Congress, on legislative proposals on which the President took a clear position, which were in support of the president’s position

The proportion of executive orders upheld through congressional legislation

The proportion of vetoes sustained within the Congress

None

Question 10

According to the Let’s Compare section, what is Duverger’s Law?

Another name for “first-past-the post”

Another name for “single member district plurality”

Electoral rules have a significant influence on party systems. For example, proportional representation rules tend to encourage multiparty systems.

Electoral rules have a significant influence on party systems. For example, proportional representation rules tend to encourage two-party systems

None

Time’s up

Critical Thinking Exercises

1.  The notion that our political parties are racially aligned is not at all new. It’s an idea that has been stated by media pundits and presidents alike. We only have to recall President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ominous and ultimately accurate prediction that Southern voters would abandon the Democratic Party after he signed the Civil Rights Act.

• In September 2012, following the Republican National Convention, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman commented on ABC’s This Week that, “Republican candidates had to appeal to their base, which is by and large elderly white people arguing with empty chairs.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/paul-krugman-republican-party-base_n_1870193.html)

• In August 2016, Krugman offered another critique of the Republican Party’s relationship with black voters. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-long-history-of-racial-animus-created_us_57a969f2e4b02251db4000bd)

• In June 2020, Krugman offered yet again another critique of the Republican Party, but this time via Donald Trump who assumed control of the party and its message. (https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jun/06/paul-krugman-trump-is-no-nixon-20200606/?opinion)

Compare and contrast the three assessments to determine if the party has changed at all with regard to race relations according to Krugman. Do you agree?  Why or why not?