POSC 4420 Parties and Elections Fall 2024 PDF

POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Parties and Groups Structure of Political Parties Stephen C. Phillips...

POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Parties and Groups Structure of Political Parties Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Tripartite structure II. Structural v. psychological nature III. Discussion questions and discussion leader  What do you know about the organization and roles of political parties? Three Components of Political Parties Party-In-The- Electorate Voters Party-As- Organization Staff and Offices Party-In- Government Officeholders  Nature of Political Parties Politics is “a system of power relationships” (Key 1964) Parties have multiple functions in democracies Structural Psychological Party organization Party identification is Recruit candidates psychological Run nomination Party labels serve as processes cognitive shortcut Mobilize voters Associate parties with Form alliances in certain positions (real or government not)  Discussion Question Preview Submit discussion questions at the beginning of each week § Questions related to the assigned reading and class activities for that week § 3 to 5 questions per week Grading is complete or incomplete § Lowest score dropped  Discussion Leader Preview Each of you will lead the discussion for one class § Your assigned date will be posted on Canvas next week Lead a 10-to-15-minute discussion on the main points and importance of that reading § Guide all of us through what’s new and why you believe it was assigned § Try to provoke and guide discussion § 5-point rubric for grading  Did you watch this year’s Republican and Democratic conventions? POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Parties and Groups Studying American Political Parties Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Approaches to studying parties II. Elite influence v. mass consent III. Parties and democracy  Can we have democracy without political parties?  Approaches to Understanding Parties Responsible Electoral Ambition Parties as diverse party thesis competition theory coalitions  Approaches to Understanding Parties Responsible Parties Focus on accountability of parties and elected officials (elites) Four criteria: 1. Parties make commitments to voters 2. Parties carry out these commitments when elected 3. Parties develop alternatives when out of office (i.e., loyal opposition) 4. Parties differ enough to provide alternative choices to voters Do parties fulfill these ideals—historically or contemporarily?  Approaches to Understanding Parties Electoral Competition “Competition for office [i]s the singular, defining characteristic” of parties (Aldrich 2011) Rational choice model § Goal of politicians is election § Party is vehicle politicians use to realize goal Assumption that competition is necessary for healthy democracy § Competition leads to necessity of party-as-organization § Not always present  Approaches to Understanding Parties Ambition Theory Parties are endogenous institutions: shaped from within § Rules and structures flexible Ambitious elites most important members of parties § Helped by others that would benefit from party’s success § Parties are instrument “to achieve their ends” (Aldrich 2011) Parties address key problems: § Checking ambition § Motivating voters § Policy decisions  Approaches to Understanding Parties Diverse Coalitions “Parties are interest aggregators” (Aldrich 2011) § Umbrella-like organization Parties are coalitions of interest groups and activists wanting to realize policy goals § They are the “key actors” shaping parties (Bawn et al. 2012) § Policy demanders recruit candidates sympathetic to their goals Diversity of interests make it difficult to manage majority or hold officials accountable Parties connect electorate and government  How do parties balance elite and mass interests?  Defining Parties Groups of individuals and organizations sharing collective political and policy goals that act in concert to win and exercise power § Coalitions at mass and elite level Parties must address: § Decision-making (Collective action) § Policymaking (Collective choice)  Parties and Democracy Competitive parties necessary for democracy § Gives voters role in selecting direction of community and country § Presents different agendas § Party labels important § Provides space for debate  Foundations of the Two-Party System How can we begin to understand parties? 1. Parties are shaped by the politicians who run under their banner (and their allies) § Institutions matter 2. Politicians, groups, and activists use parties as a vehicle to achieve goals § System of power relationships 3. Parties exist in unique historical settings that shape demands, institutional arrangements, and goals § History important POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Parties and Groups Electoral-Realignment Theories Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Critical elections II. Realignments How do we know when a political realignment occurs? V.O. Key and Realignment Realignment § Long-term, significant change in voting behavior and partisan support Critical Elections § Single-election § Swift change in parties and policymaking § “Sharp and durable realignment” (Key 1955)  Critical Elections How do we know? Useful benchmarks: § High voter turnout § Cleavages in electorate § Changes in governing coalitions § New voting coalitions § Long-term change  Applying Critical Elections: 1896 Uses data from 1896 and 1928 New England elections to demonstrate theory 1894–96 § Following 1893 panic § New political coalitions emerged amongst key regional groups § Republican Party gained electoral strength and weakened Democratic support  Applying Critical Elections: 1928 1928–32 § Smith’s candidacy was impetus § Democratic gains across religious, ethnic, and economic groups § Laid foundation for Roosevelt in 1932 § Birth of what would become New Deal Coalition that lasted 30 years  Electoral Realignments Many realignment theories § Some focus more on singular elections (Key, Burnham, and Schattschneider) § Others on broader periods (Sundquist) Claims can be empirically examined § Is there agreement amongst scholars?  Assessing Realignment Theories There are only realigning and non-realigning elections § Too simplified; more gradation Regular pattern of realignments § Not enough evidence Stress builds up to flash points over time § History doesn’t show patterns of tensions building to boiling points in rough intervals Turnout increases in realigning elections § Not consistently  Assessing Realignment Theories New issues supplant old ones to create new cleavages § Events often more important than issues Ideological polarization key to realignment § Realignment does not require polarization Realignments characterized by major changes in public policy § Sometimes yes, sometimes no Realignment junctures only period when voters and groups consequentially change politics § Parties and policy evolve constantly  Other Realignment Theories Realignment theories do not survive strict scrutiny Many factors influence electoral politics § Events shape elections § Parties and candidates strategize together § Government management often key issue How can we determine realigning elections? POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Parties and Groups Coalitions, Policies, and Partisan Regimes Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Punctuated equilibrium II. Partisan regimes Discussion leader assignments posted on Canvas  Themes of American Political Development Looking through time, U.S. political development shaped by: § Consistency of institutions o Legal, political, and cultural constraints § Eras of modernizing processes o Broad changes that can be grouped together § Party coalitions o Governing party sparks change and then seeks to solidify power Punctuation: rapidly changing environment Equilibrium: stable environment  Party-Centered Approaches Why are parties important? § Produce political and policy change § Help to preserve status quo Realignment frameworks with parties at center: § Electoral-realignment theories § Partisan regimes  Electoral-Realignment Displeased electorate produces shift in governing party, resulting in control of policymaking institutions Parties play important Party Control of U.S. Government, 1855–present role Can change arise only from electoral realignments? § When was last realignment? Limited focus on other factors crucial to policy change  Partisan Regimes Coalition under partisan label that § Challenges the established political order, § Achieves political power, § Shapes political debate, and § Maintains power to secure policy accomplishments Does not neatly fit Key’s tripartite structure of parties § Include ‘policy seekers’ § Exclude electorate Factors Leading to Partisan Regimes Crises Leadership Narratives  Emergence of Partisan Regimes Crises erode confidence and faith in existing order Regime leaders create narratives about problems and solutions to broaden support Confluence of factors necessary Different focus than electoral- realignment theories  What Makes Partisan Regimes Successful? Key elements to success § Narrative and goals important § Margin of power § Delegitimating of old order Policy and institutions subject to reform § Institutions help cement changes Period of change short-lived § Need to act quickly  Post-Reform Partisan Regimes Change gives rise to period of stability § Solidify goals Claim credit for successes § Fortify previous narrative Policy change produces unintended consequences § Opposition regains strength Need to manage intra-coalition differences amidst reshaping agenda  Reaganite Republican Regime Partisan regimes adopt different shapes § Unified government helpful but not necessary Quasi-divided government under Reagan successful § Strong narrative § Assassination attempt § Demoralized opposition § Focus on solidifying goals: bureaucracy and judiciary Regimes and Contemporary Political Development Are we still in the post-reform Reaganite Regime? § Does its core promises and narrative still resonate? Have subsequent presidents challenged its key goals? Has there been a period of significant policy innovation and ideological reframing? § If not, is one near? POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems The Framers and Party Factions Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. The Framers view of parties and faction II. Early party development How did the Framers view political parties? The Framers and Early Elections Federal Courts House of Representatives Senate Electoral College President  Early Electoral Understandings Framers understood popular election differently than us Delegates split on path forward Framers choose indirect, nonpartisan election § Did not need to decide voter qualifications § Means to balance influence of factions § Instrument of federalism § Believed it would produce moderate results § Would help create national majority for a candidate By historical standards, Electoral College was democratic  Early Criticisms of Electoral Politics Indirect election would benefit Indirect Election well-organized interests: wealthy Electors likely to support local Direct Election President Elected candidates President Could not guarantee majority Elected § Plurality threshold rejected Electors Vote (If no majority: § Backup needed if Electors House votes by state) could not decide Electorate Votes § Minority could overrule State Legislatures majority Choose Method to Appoint Electors Solution is organized competition  Federalist No. 10 and Party Factions Group of like-minded individuals working together toward a common goal § May be contrary to the rights of others or general welfare of the community Madison worried about ‘mischief of faction’ § Threatens stability of government Two methods of curing the mischief of faction: 1. Remove the causes of faction 2. Control the effects of faction Madison’s Extended Republic and Party Factions Madison believes extended republic best model of government § Representation acts as filtering “Extend the sphere, and you take in a mechanism greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a § Diversity of views, background, and majority of the whole will have a geography common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common § Difficult to elect candidates serving motive exists, it will be more difficult narrow faction over general interest for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with Framers did not foresee importance of each other” organization § Parties threatened Constitution  Federalist No. 51 and Ambition Challenges “But the great security against a gradual § Government needs to control governed concentration of the several powers in § Government needs to control itself the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each Constitution creates independent branches department the necessary constitutional means, and personal motives, to resist § Provides checking function encroachments of the others… Ambition must be made to counteract § Selection different ambition… It may be a reflection on § Best protection is empowering each human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of branch/government to oppose others Government. But what is Government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on o Separation of powers human nature? If men were angels, no o Checks and balances Government would be necessary.” o Federalism  Compound Republic and Parties Tyranny of the majority § Possible result of party factions “In the compound republic of America, § Dividing power prevents the power surrendered by the People is concentration of power in one group first divided between two distinct Governments, and then the portion § Extended republic makes it difficult allotted to each, subdivided among for large coalitions to threaten rights distinct and separate departments. “Compound republic” Hence a double security arises to the rights of the People. The different § Horizontal and vertical divisions of Governments will control each other, power at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.” § Provides “double security… to the rights of the people” POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems First Party System and Antiparty Tradition Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Advent of the First Party System II. Washington’s view of parties  Early Party Development First Congress § Main issues dealt with determining extent of new federal power § With no party organizations, members faced problems addressing critical issues Split 1. Residence Act 2. Assumption of state debt § Instability in voting coalitions Pro-Administration o Majority voting ”highly unstable, Anti-Administration shifting, and chaotic” o Informal caucusing  Early Party Development Second Congress § Early outlines of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans began to emerge § Leaders started to organize supporters Split and rudimentary organizations developed in Congress § Madison and Jefferson recognized Pro- Administration greater organization needed o Organize dissatisfied groups and Anti-Administration communicate via partisan press  Advent of the First Party System Third Congress § Federalist and Democratic-Parties Federalists evident in voting behavior Split o Emerged to help settle debate over federal power § Parties represented “recognizable, broad, Democratic- intersectional alliances” (Aldrich 2011) Republicans § Parties created incentives for party-line voting § Partisan labels used to brand and coordinate presidential elections  Washington’s Farwell Address Believed parties, as factions, dangerous for republican governments § Would create permanent groups to divide society and compete for power § Threatened stability of government and checks and balances § Could prevent effective representation  Washington and Party Tyranny Parties could exploit sectionalism and weaken country Spirit of parties § Factions seek power for own “The common and continual benefit mischiefs of the spirit of party are § Alternating power could lead to sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise people to despotism discourage and restrain it.” Parties must be restrained to protect liberty and government  First Party System: 1800 Election Permanent party factions clear Before election, both parties tried to shape system to its advantage § Allocation of electoral votes Parties formally nominated tickets § Created incentives to stay in line in Electoral Votes and House election POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Era of Good Feelings Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Federalist resurgence and decline II. Tocqueville’s view of American parties  Era of Good Feelings Period of relative political stability § 1815–25 § Sense of optimism § Economic prosperity § Rising nationalism § Sectionalism grew § Party organizations became more sophisticated § Virtual one-party rule: Democratic-Republicans  Federalist’s Purported Decline Conventional notion is that Federalists in continual decline after 1814 Congressional Elections 1800 1814 Congressional Elections § Not necessarily true Crises, leadership, and narratives helped propel intermittent success Federalists formed powerful opposition in the 1810s § Influence lasted longer Federalist’s Resurgence Two-Party Share of U.S. House Seats, Early 1800s Federalists remained competitive Democratic-Republicans Federalists locally until 1824 90 § Used press, organization, and 80 gerrymandering 70 Percentage of Seats Down-ballot success beginning in 60 1808 50 § War of 1812 and Burning of 40 Washington fueled resurgence 30 1816 elections signaled beginning 20 of national decline 10 § Hartford Convention 0 8th Congress 10th Congress 12th Congress 14th Congress 16th Congress (1803–05) (1807–09) (1811–13) (1815–17) (1819–21)  Party Constituencies and Organizations Weak parties represented different segments of population New York State Federalists Congressional Elections § Elites and wealthy § New England and Middle- Atlantic states § Supported elite rule Democratic-Republicans § Farmers and commercial interests § Mass appeal and support  Parties-in-Government With decline imminent, Federalists sought to institutionally cement policy achievements § I.e., patronage appointments to bureaucracy and judiciary Democratic-Republicans viewed PIG differently § Refused to purge federalist appointees § Wanted proportional representation across government § Competent government emerged  Tocqueville “What I call truly a party is a gathering of men who, without sharing the bond of a common birth, view certain points in a certain way” Parties are an “evil” of democratic governments Great parties marked by principles Small parties characterized by ego U.S. no longer has great parties § Parties threaten the Union § Differences in material interests between North and South § Some classes show disgust for democracy POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Second Party System and Mass-Based Parties Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. King Caucus II. 1824 and the “corrupt bargain” III. Van Buren’s new mass-based parties  Sunset of the First Party System End of the Era of Good Feelings Electoral Map § Federalist collapse § Democratic-Republicans splintering By early 1820s, no strong national party coalition remained § Missouri Compromise splits North and South 1824 contingent election shows national division  Early Presidential Nominations Framers made no plans for parties or for nominating contests § Only implemented general election system When Washington retired, new system needed to select nominees § Rise of “King Caucus” § Party members in Congress decided nominees § Anti-democratic  1824 and a Call for Party Competition Van Buren major driver of party development in 1820s § Believed parties necessary to solve problem of presidential election 1824 election turning point § 4 Democratic-Republicans split votes o Only one nominated by party § House election resulted in “corrupt bargain” How could this be prevented from happening again?  Van Buren and Party Development Van Buren sought to prevent repeat of 1824 Believed party competition was answer § Create national agenda and platform § Appeal to masses § Maintain party unity § Manage ambition of presidential hopefuls § Prevent personal factionalism Answer to constitutional problem Martin § Informal means to amend Constitution Van Buren and eliminate contingent elections POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Second Party System and Political Machines Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Party development II. Political machines III. Fall of the Second Party System  Jackson, Van Buren, and a Democratic Party Jackson key to Van Buren’s plan § Use his personal popularity to 1828 build new Democratic Party § Antipathy would create opposition and party competition 1828 election showed success of plan § Jackson won significant majorities of popular and electoral vote  Van Buren and the Democratic Party 1836 proved Van Buren right § Ran on party competition 1836 o Whigs ignored, split, and lost § Competition became norm o Sectional issues gained prominence  American Party Development Pro- Administration Federalists Refuge Democratic Party Anti- Democratic- Administration Republicans National Republican Party Whigs Founding Era  Political Machines Immigration and urbanization caused growth of cities § Unable to provide services, machines developed Machines controlled the activities of political parties in the area § Bosses made sure their party won and that the government rewarded supporters (patronage) § Built around loyalty and reciprocity  Plunkitt and Tammany Hall Tammany Hall Machine ran New York City politics § Cultivated support through contracts, jobs, and favors § In turn, machine received donations and votes Plunkitt argued machines were necessary element of politics § Provided services § Reflected wishes of voters  Second Party System Democrats dominant § Led to modern, mass-based Electoral Map parties Parties-in-the-electorate: mass membership and organization continuing between elections § Subnational party organizations influential Democratic-Republicans splinter § Whig Party forms; elite base Political machines common POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Third Party System, Sectionalism, and Ticket Systems Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Whig Party splinters II. Rise of Republican Party and Radical Republicans III. Organizational development  Twilight of the Second Party System Democratization § Parties-in-the-electorate § Mass-based appeals to voters Slavery § Sectional problems increased after Mexican- American War § Kansas-Nebraska Act § Whigs split over slavery  Emergence of the Third Party System Unclear who would succeed Whigs § Know-Nothings § Republicans Republicans triumphant as slavery gained focus § Bleeding Kansas § Caning of Charles Sumner 1856 election § First between Democrats and Republicans  The 1860 Election and Disunion Party platforms adopt clear positions on slavery § Democrats splinter: nominate Douglas and Breckinridge Lincoln denied ballot access in 9 states Election results spurred secession of southern states § 7 states seceded before inauguration  Parties During the Civil War 1864 election § Lincoln and McClellan offered competing war plans Republicans benefited from virtual one-party rule End of war leads to rise of Radical Republicans § Party split over Reconstruction § Pushed Reconstruction Amendments  Parties and Elections Party platforms common and increasingly sophisticated Voting practices during 1860s confrontational § Physical settings limited access to women and others § Laws left great discretion to election judges o Party challengers actively contested voter eligibility  Ticket Systems Voting completed through tickets § Party tickets printed on paper; voters would then submit ticket as vote § Made voting intention clear Violence around polls not rare § Tickets frequently rejected Secret ballots adopted in 1880s POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Third Party System, Patronage, and Reconstruction Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Reconstruction politics II. Southern Democratic support  The Politics of Reconstruction Reconstruction fueled southern resistance § Federal government responded with amnesty and enforcement acts Rise of Carpetbaggers and Scalawags § Differences over Reconstruction Republican Party fractured § Radical Republicans § Liberal Republicans  The 1876 Election Hayes v. Tilden § Neither candidate receives majority in Electoral College (disputes in several states) Settled through Electoral Commission and Compromise of 1877 § Federal troops withdrawn from last southern states § Redeemer Democrats retake control of southern states o One-party control of South  Influence of Southern Delegates Post-Reconstruction, southern delegates played pivotal role in Republican 1880 RNC (36th Ballot) politics However, Republican Party was not competitive in South Then why maintain status quo of southern influence? § Early challenges unsuccessful  A Southern Strategy RNC Delegates By Region, 1880–1928 Republicans invested to keep Non-South South minimum level of organization 1928 § Believed could regain 1924 1920 competitiveness 1916 o If not nationally, then 1912 Convention 1908 locally 1904 1900 § Delegates from South 1896 formed reliable base to 1892 1888 vote “right” way 1884 o Petty patronage 1880 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% o Bribery Percentage of RNC Delegates (Heersink and Jenkins 2015)  Third Party System GOP dominant party § Northern base Electoral Map § Radical Republicans shaped agenda Democrats weakened § Reconstruction alienated southerners creating strong, durable base of support § Rise of Yellow Dog Democrats POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Fourth Party System and Nationalized Parties Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Panic of 1893 and the 1894 midterms II. McKinley v. Bryan III. Campaign innovation  Fall of the Third Party System Post-Civil War era national politics dominated by Republicans Democrats exercised little influence outside the South ▪ First return to national power with Cleveland Economic, moralistic, and immigration policies dominated late period Reforms decreased influence of political machines Seeds of a New Party System Great economic and social change ▪ Manufacturing growing ▪ Corporate monopolies common ▪ Changing demographics ▪ Labor movements Minor parties ▪ Populist party Parties resistant to change  Beginning of a Fourth Party System Panic of 1893 ▪ Democrats unpopular Internal Democratic split 1894 midterms wiped out northern Democrats ▪ Largest House seat swing in U.S. history Republican electoral coalition grew ▪ Difficult to manage  Candidates of 1896 Democrats and Bryan ▪ Silver standard to expand money supply ▪ Lower tariffs Republicans and McKinley ▪ Maintain gold standard ▪ High protective tariffs  Campaigns of 1896 Campaigns changed: ▪ Style of campaigning ▪ Expressions of political support ▪ Press coverage ▪ Donations ▪ Partisan attachments of electorate weaker  1896 and a New Era Republican base grew ▪ In urban areas and across Electoral Map economic groups Inflationary and currency issues hurt Bryan ▪ Appeal limited to South, agrarian, and mining interests Republicans gained electoral strength and weakened Democratic support McKinley won handedly POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Fourth Party System and Presidential Leadership Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. 1900 election II. Presidential party leadership III. Fragmented parties 1900 and Cementing the Fourth Party System Republican victory of 1896 repeated in 1900 Electoral Map § McKinley v. Bryan § Theodore Roosevelt selected as GOP vice presidential nominee New political coalitions emerged amongst key regional groups § GOP base in industrial northeast  Party Organization Party organizations of the 1820s and 1830s weakened presidential leadership § Intent to was to control ambition Power with subnational party organizations § Presidents had to yield autonomy § Local parties shaped campaigns, denying electoral mandates § Local parties also unreliable partners § National party stood for what local leaders allowed it to  Party Leadership Working within the Jacksonian party framework difficult § Patronage lifeblood § Renomination and reelection not common Garfield campaign watershed § Campaign independent from local parties § Built national organization  Cleveland and Presidential Party Leadership Recognized weakness of presidential leadership § Wanted to become party leader Took steps to establish independence and assert leadership § Worked to build national consensus on policy issues § Remained party leader between terms Grover Cleveland  McKinley and Presidential Party Leadership Continued learning process from Cleveland Established independent campaign § Consolidated control § Shaped national opinion § Became identity of party National party apparatus becomes permanent fixture § Local parties losing influence William § National party leadership still weak McKinley  Presidential Party Leadership Modern presidency arises from president becoming party leader § Independent leadership of the party-in-the-electorate § Speak directly to the people without filter of party Presidents became indispensable to parties § Became norm to be renominated and reelected  Split Parties Democrats § North/South divide continues § Populists and Progressives Republicans § Conservatives and Progressives Business interests cross-cutting cleavage Gives rise to Progressive Era POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Progressive Challenges to Party Government Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Populists v. Progressives II. Roosevelt and the 1912 Election III. Progressive wish list IV. Electoral reforms  Populists and Progressives Populists Progressives 1870s–1890s 1880s–1910s Rural areas Direct Urban areas Democracy Lower-class and Middle-class and reforms uneducated educated Public Improve Supported capitalism worker ownership of key Wanted to reform rights industries institutions; fight Proposed constitutional New welfare corruption programs changes Government should better protect people  Roosevelt, Progressives, and 1912 Roosevelt pursued progressive goals in office Out of office, rift developed with successor § After losing GOP nomination, Roosevelt helped found Progressive Party Three-way race § Both Roosevelt and Wilson reformers Fractured Republicans elect Wilson  Progressivism and the Modern State Goal was to create a modern administrative state § Government faced new problems § Competent bureaucracy to protect interests of people § New social welfare programs Also supported democratic reforms § Link government and people § Restrictive voting laws  Progressivism and Parties Believed parties impeded creation of modern state § Prevented new administrative state Thought parties subverted intent of Framers § Gave outsize role to subnational party organizations § Industrial revolution demanded changes  Progressivism, Democracy, and Parties Wanted to implement reforms of direct democracy § Direct primary § Initiative § Referendum Believed reforms would restore Constitution Did not recognize importance of parties  Legacy of the Progressives Never had clear organization or goals § Loyalty to cause prevented development of party Progressive movement successful § Elected reformers § Better connected federal government to people, absent parties § Development of modern administrative state § Presidents focused on managing bureaucracy  Political and Party Development Progressive Era forever changed political participation and expression Voting eligibility subject to change § Ended trend toward universal suffrage Parties become more public § States run elections § Direct primaries § Interest groups used to influence government  Transformation of Governance Nature and extent of government action changed People gained new voice § Women’s suffrage § 17th Amendment Parties lost influence More direct link established between government and the people  Fourth Party System GOP dominant party Realignment based upon Electoral Map different policies Conservatives v. progressives Weak party competition § Democrats had strong southern base Capacity of parties diminished; beginning of party decline Born and ended in crisis POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Fifth Party System and Responsible Parties Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. 1932 and the New Deal II. Democratic liberalism III. Responsible parties IV. President at center V. FDR and New Deal legacy VI. Midterm Exam preview  Collapse of the Fourth Party System Economic prosperity following 1893 Panic helped cement Republican dominance Stock market crash in 1929 signaled end to post-war period of economic boom Herbert Hoover administration blamed for Great Depression § Unemployment rate and bank failures increased GOP message of prosperity derided New direction needed  Beginning of a Fifth Party System Great Depression changed political landscape Hoover not seriously challenged “Throughout the nation men and for GOP nomination women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to Franklin Roosevelt won us here for guidance and for more Democratic nomination equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth... I § Campaign blamed Hoover for pledge myself to a new deal for the depression American people. This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms.” § Promised “new deal” and safety net programs  New Deal Liberalism Democrats built new broad coalition across economic, geographic, religious, and cultural groups FDR redefined liberalism for Democrats § Linking constitutional government and natural rights to create an expansive and active federal government that protects the people Shifted protection of welfare from citizens to government § Economic rights important Ideological flip begins  FDR and Party Development FDR’s view of parties influenced by Progressives § Believed it inhibited creation of modern state § To achieve goals, parties needed to change Stronger link between government and people § Different agendas § Centralized leadership Democratic Party § Liberalize party § Decrease influence of subnational party organizations § Restructure party to be dominated by president  Conservative Coalition Democratic Party fractured § Southern Democrats U.S. House, 1937–39 distinct Conservative Democrats and Republicans organized into informal voting coalition § Goal to stymy liberal goals of FDR § Wanted to protect states rights  Roosevelt’s Party Vision FDR wanted responsible parties § How could he liberalize party despite Conservative Coalition? § Believed parties could do more to respond to changing conditions APSA Committee Report § Believed parties could be more effective § At the time, parties still largely disorganized  Responsible Parties What are responsible parties? § Provide policy alternatives § Responsible to electorate § Leaders responsible to membership § Subnational organizations responsible to national party Organized, united party working toward common goals  The Presidency and Party Development FDR wanted nationalized party Recognized presidential leadership essential to goals: governing and party Reforms needed to place president at center § Protector of rights § Administrator of new programs President became independent policymaker § Unified parties unnecessary Democrats linked to electorate through program administration  New Deal Legacy FDR transformed policy and party § Create welfare state § New agencies insulated from patronage politics o Weakened party machines Durable Democratic coalition § Dominated national and state politics for 30+ years § Policy achievements and majority status largely unchallenged  Fifth Party System Era of significant party and political development Electoral Map § Party leadership centralized in White House § Governing consolidated in executive branch Democrats Party remained divided § North-South divide would doom party rule  Midterm Exam Preview Guidance sheet available on Canvas October 9th, 11:15AM–12:05PM § In-class on Canvas using LockDown Browser In-Class Exam Format § Closed book, closed note § Parts 1. 25 multiple-choice questions: reading and concepts (60%) 2. 1 essay question: application of concepts and history (40%) POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Sixth Party System and Southern Strategy Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Ideological flip II. GOP Southern Strategy III. Republican resurgence  Twilight of the Fifth Party System % of Dem Vote ND Coalition Groups 1948* 1956 1964* White 50 41 59 In 1950s and 60s, U.S. began Black 71 61 94 to enter post-New Deal era College degree 22 31 52 High school degree 51 42 62 § New Deal coalition No-HS degree 64 50 66 fracturing White collar 47 37 57 § Ticket splitting becoming Blue collar 66 50 71 Farmer 60 46 53 common Union member 76 51 77 § Voting blocs changing Republican – 4 20 Independent – 30 56 Democrat – 85 87 East 48 40 68 Midwest 50 41 61 West 49 43 60 South 53 49 52 (Gallup)  Twilight of the Fifth Party System Rise of liberal Democratic Party forced political sea change Republicans became more electorally competitive § Conservative ascendence led to ideological flip § Liberal wing began decline Racial politics became dominant § Debate over Jim Crow laws divided parties  Republican’s Southern Strategy Democratic fracture furthered by racial politics § Democratic support partially based in resentment of Republicans due to Reconstruction Signing of Civil Rights Act split Democratic Party and its base of support § Southern Democrats disaffected § Republicans recognized opportunity to gain support  Republican Resurgence and a New System Strategy applied by 1968 Nixon campaign § Use racial, social, moral, and religious issues to build conservative base § Support limited government § Appeal to southern whites Nixon’s victories provided foundation for future § Fueled realignment; shifted South Strategy continued in office Copied by successors  Republican’s Southern Base Republicans focused great attention on maintaining support of southern conservatives 1988 Bush campaign § Copied Nixon and Reagan playbook § Willie Horton ad  Republican’s Southern Base Beginning in 1990s, moral and religious issues became more prominent § LGBTQ+ military service o 1992 Clinton campaign § Same-sex marriage o 2004 Bush campaign Southern Strategy created reliable southern base POSC 4420 | Parties and Elections Party Systems Sixth Party System and Party Decline Stephen C. Phillips Fall 2024  Today’s Objectives I. Ideological flip II. Notion of party decline III. Institutionalization and nationalization of parties IV. Midterm Exam review  Red States and Blue States Parties changed dramatically Democrats: liberal party § Northeast, Rust Belt, and Western base § Urban areas, young voters, women, minority groups Republicans: conservative party § Southern, Southwest, and Great Plains base § Rural areas, men, businesses Parties became more ideologically consistent § Politics became more divisive  Thesis of Party Decline: Theory Parties becoming less relevant to Voter Turnout in U.S. Elections as Share of voters Voting-Eligible Population, 1900–Present Presidential Midterm American elections change 80 dramatically 2020, 66.6 § Candidate-centered campaigns 60 § Political Action Committees Percent (PACs) 40 2022, 46.6 Decline began in fourth party system 20 § Paused by Great Depression § New evidence of continuance in 0 1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020 sixth party system Election Year  Thesis of Party Decline: Significance Parties less important in shaping elections § Governing more difficult Parties lost influence § Progressive reforms § Interest groups § Decline of party machines Resulted in change to voter attitudes and trends  Evidence of Party Decline Americans increasingly identifying as independents or expressing no preference Increase of ‘no preference’ voters provides evidence of party decline  Party Decline or Development? Parties evolving in important ways Institutionalization of parties: § Full-time, permanent leadership § Professional staff § Financing operation § Decision-making autonomy Parties focusing on elections other than presidency § Congress, state, local  Party Development Nationalization of parties: § National organizations gain power § New rules to keep subnational organizations in line § Uniformity amongst state and local parties § Growing interdependence between state and national parties § Greater participation of disenfranchised groups Parties stronger but attachments weaker  Ebb and Flow of Power Composite Electoral Map, Sixth Party System No dominant party § Presidency split § Democrats dominated control of Congress Transfer of power routine § Divided government common § Divided electorate clear Main issues: size and scope of federal government, civil rights, and social issues (e.g., abortion)  Midterm Exam Review Study guide available on Canvas October 9th, 11:15AM–12:05PM § In-class on Canvas using LockDown Browser In-Class Exam Format § Closed book, closed note § Parts 1. 25 multiple-choice questions: reading and concepts (60%) 2. 1 essay question: application of concepts and history (40%)