Political Parties and Systems Notes

Political Parties ➔ First political parties appeared in Britain then the United States. ➔ Party activity was largely confined to Parliament. Terms: Torres: Closer to the monarchy. More established. Tied to the Church of England + Monarchy. Loose groups in Parliament represent...

Political Parties ➔ First political parties appeared in Britain then the United States. ➔ Party activity was largely confined to Parliament. Terms: Torres: Closer to the monarchy. More established. Tied to the Church of England + Monarchy. Loose groups in Parliament representing different interests. Wigs: Less sympathetic to the monarchy. United land owners, merchants, and bankers. Less established elites. Supported American Independence. No Party System: No official political parties involved in the electoral process. Candidates run as independents. Occasionally seen in military or authoritarian regimes where parties are banned. Pros: Less partisan polarization. Focus on individual qualifications. Encourages consensus-building. Cons: Lack of clear policy platforms. Harder to organize legislatures. Can lead to informal power blocs or behind-the-scenes alliances. Single Parties: Commonly found in Communist parties. One dominant party controls the government. No political competition. EX: CCP in China. Pros (claimed by supporters): Political stability and continuity. Faster decision-making. A unified national vision. Cons: Lack of political freedom and opposition. Corruption and abuse of power due to lack of checks. Public disengagement or fear of dissent. Single Dominant Party: Multiple parties legally exist and opposing parties are allowed. One party consistently dominates power. Looks like a multi-party system on paper but in practice one party keeps winning. Pros (some would argue): Stability and policy consistency. Easier to pass laws or implement long-term plans. Sometimes reflects genuine popularity—especially in post-revolution or liberation contexts. Cons: Tendency toward authoritarianism or election manipulation. Weak opposition, leading to less accountability.  Voters may feel like real change isn’t possible. Two Party System: U.S + Great Britain. Two major parties dominate the political landscape. Two parties alternate in power. Democrats vs. Republicans. Pros: Stability – easier to form governments and pass legislation. Clear choices for voters. Tends to lead to strong majority governments, especially in parliamentary systems. Cons: Limited voter choice – especially if neither major party reflects a voter’s views. Can create polarization and gridlock (e.g., U.S. Congress). Third parties struggle to gain traction or representation. Often reduces complex issues to binary debates. Multi-Party Systems: 3-4 major parties. Multiple political parties compete for power. More than two have a realistic chance of winning. Most of Europe. Pros: Wider representation of public views. Smaller parties can bring niche or regional issues to the table.  Encourages coalition and compromise—reduces extremes. More voter choice. Cons: Can lead to political instability (frequent elections, fragile coalitions). Policy gridlock when parties can't agree. Smaller parties can sometimes have disproportionate influence if they hold the balance of power. Niche Parties: Usually lack the visibility and resources. Can influence close election outcomes by appealing to ballet voters. Usually focused on a single issue. Pros: Give voice to underrepresented views or groups. Can influence major parties to adopt parts of their platform. Often bring fresh ideas or focus to political discourse. Cons: Might lack broad appeal or realistic paths to power. Can contribute to fragmentation in legislatures. Sometimes accused of extremism or being too narrow. Secularist Outlook: Religion is not a major part of your life, religion and politics should not mix. Purist: Absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures, especially in language or style. Functions of political parties in democracies: 1. Provide the resources for governing. 2. Provide guidance for the voting public, clarify or sharpen issues. 3. Bring diverse issues together under a single organization. 4. Encourages popular participation in government. 5. Recruitment and support of candidates. Selecting party members: 1. National party: 2. Rank + File: 3. Members of parliamentary party: 4. Party committee: Selecting candidates: 1. Open primary. 2. Party committee 3. Active party members 4. Party leaders: Choose candidates. Major Parties: National organizations with multiple levels of organization, regional outlets, and fundraising sources. Can tap large scale media. Decline of party membership: ➔ Younger voters are more educated and informed.  ➔ Growing number of independent voters. ➔ In Europe, less firm social class or religious association. Role of parties in authoritarian states: 1. Serve to recruit new members/screen for suitability. 2. Implement policies regionally or locally. 3. Channels non-ideological attitudes and complaints. 4. Promotes positive views of leaders and policies. Parties in democracies: Cadre Party: Often supported or controlled by private interests. Elite based. Selective membership. Limited ideological consistency. Built around influential individuals. Class Party: External to the legislature, usually responsive to a huge social movement, such as labor or populist movements. Supported by members dues. Rooted in class identity/working class or labor based. Represent economic and political interests of the class. Tea Party Movement: Anti-Tax party. Emerged around 2009. Limited government. Low taxes. Free markets. Strong opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Catchall Party:  Diverse interests within a single party. Moderate or ambiguous ideology to attract a wider base. Adopts popular or centrist opinions. Political culture- “Life as lived” Attitudes, beliefs, expectations, norms, held towards the government/those in power. 1. Individualistic: Generally seen as competitive and individualistic, someone else's gain is your loss (and vice versa). 2. Traditional Culture: Esp in rural or economically underdeveloped areas. Seeks to maintain the status quote. Political Culture: Political Culture: The attitudes, beliefs, and expectations people hold for the government. Can be influenced by the government but not imposed. Fatalistic outlook. Destiny/everything has already been set. Individualistic Culture: Government does not need to intervene. Hostile view towards government. Caste: You are where you are because that's what social class you were born in. Little/no social mobility. Moralistic Culture: Sees government as an instrument for positive changes in society. Seeks social reform. Elite Culture: Have social advantages through birth or education. Often see an ability to influence government and society.  Usually have superior knowledge. Often close to politicians and sources of power. Civic Culture Appeals to all social sectors, classes, and regions through community shared attitudes and values. Ex: Roman empire. Civilizational Culture Multigenerational, geographically diverse, draws on multiple sources of authority. Deeply rooted cultural norms. Influences political ideologies. Western Civilization: Philosophical literacy and legal heritage. Classical liberalism. Enlightenment and scientific revolution. Constitutionalism. Post Materialism: Question of lifestyles beyond affluence. Been described as a secularist search for meaning. Frequently finds meaning in political activism. Start to prioritize non-material values. Democracy. Printing and communication: ➔ Literacy was restricted to only priests and the elites. ➔ Then there was mass production of bibles. ➔ Invention of printing in 1440 by Gutenburg. ➔ Movable type and reusable typeface. Protestant Reformation: Partially due to the printing press and explosion of production. Political, religious, and cultural movement that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Weekly broadcast newpapers: Colonial America in the 18th century. News papers and pamphlets spurred the colonel independence movement in the British colonies. Pamphlets. Sensationalism: Viewership and advertisement. Appeals to peoples emotions. 19th-20th Century: Mass newspaper circulation. 1920s-30s: Radio is invented. Even the poorest of individuals had a radio. Roosevelt's fireside chats. Radio used for politics. Personal connections through radio. Television and news after 1963: News preyed off of fear and anxiety. 100’s of channels starting in the 70’s and 80’s. Facilitated by satellite communication. Commercialization. Modern Media: Social media. Personalized communication. Transfers information instantly. Impressionistic and incomplete. Presenting the News: ➔ How to depict a story. ➔ What story will attract the most people. ➔ Reinforcement/appealing to preexisting opinions. ➔ Viewers seek specific outlets. 1. Reinforcement strengthens or appeals to opinions already held by viewers.  2. Agenda setting selection of news stories. 3. Sets the context for discussing an issue/how the issue will be depicted. 4. Sets a narrative and paints a story. Media in authoritarian dictatorships: 1. Often subject to close regulation and censorship by rulers. 2. Most outlets under the direct control of the regime. 3. Criticism or contrary views are suppressed. 4. Opposing media usually becomes illegal. 5. Media used to manipulate the public opinion to support whoever is in power. Political Participation: 1. Conventional: Writing legislation legitimately. ➔ Voting in elections. ➔ Running for office. ➔ Joining a political party. ➔ Volunteering for campaigns. 2. Unconventional: No ordinary methods. ➔ Protests. ➔ Boycotts. ➔ Strikes. ➔ Online activism. Gladiators: 5-7% of the population. Participate much more frequently and intensely. More ideological in their outlook. Active in party or interest groups. Often advocate for a specific cause or candidate. Superior information. Consult media sources. Seek information. Spectators: Limited to conventional participation. 60-65% of the population.  More likely to participate when events affect them directly. Not interested in reform movements. Only really vote in major elections. Apathetics: Generally do not participate. 30-35% of the population. Fatalistic.