University:
Miami Dade College
Course:
POS2112 | State and Local Government in America
Academic year:

2021
Views:

400

Pages:

3
Author:

Andreas Barnett

Political party ● ● ● Linkage Institution ○ Helps link people to government ■ Ex. the media ■ Interest groups Group of people who seek to control government through winning elections and holding public office Made up of people committed to a common set of beliefs, ideals, policies, or programs ○ Democrats and republicans: parties are election oriented rather than issue oriented The Makeup of a political party: ● ● ● Party in the electorate- the voters ○ You Party as an organization- the leadership ○ Ex. Ronna Romeny RNC chair Party in government- those who have been elected and identify themselves with a party ○ Mitch mcconnel Big Tent Concept ● ● ● Both parties want more people in their party as possible They will take a wide stance on things to gather people’s support All voters are theoretically represented by only two parties each party needs a big tent to accommodate all members beliefs ○ The parties must have a broad range of ideas, beliefs, and issues to bring in as many people as possible Functions of Political parties: ● ● ● ● ● Nominating: Name candidates to run for elective offices ○ Provide money to candidates running for office. Help raise money Bonding: Gives the seal of approval to candidates ○ The party has trust the person enough to wear our logo Informing: Mobilize citizens to vote and participate in elections ○ Create a PLATFORM that explains stance on issues ○ Provide cues to voters on who or what to vote for ○ If you are in our party, YOU should vote for us Governing: Bear the responsibility of operating government once in power Watchdog: Providing organized opposition to the incumbents (party in power) ○ Partisanship: support your party. Bash the other party History of our political parties ● Party’s started out as factions ○ Federalists (Madison and Hamilton) vs Anti-Federalists (Jefferson et al) ○ Federalists wanted central gov (liked constitution) ○ Anti-Feds did not trust a strong central government (didn’t trust the new constitution) Southern Strategy: ● Republicans created the strategy under Richard Nixon South had been solidly democrat for generations ● Get the white southern (conservative or