LECTURE 6
POLITICAL PARTIES
Political Science 200
David Tabb
Characteristics of Political Parties
1. Two party system
a. consensus on essential values
b. single member district/ plurality election procedure and proportional representation.
2. Variability of effective competition between parties.
3. Diffusion and decentralization of control
a. Control over nominations and policies of the parties is diffused and in man cases decentralized to state and local organizations.
4. Low Cohesion
a. decentralization of control inhibits parties which are highly united in support of particular policies.
5. Ideological similarity and issue conflict
a. although pronounced ideologies may be the same, issue support between parties shows differences.
6. Differences in party following
7. Durability
a. Democratic party begins with Pres. Jackson in 1830 and Republican, in 1850. Oldest party system in the world.
8. Variability of party support.
a. maintaining, deviating, realigning and deallignining elections.
9. Decline of Political parties
a. Reforms begun by the Progressive Movement-- direct primary election, civil service, "official ballot" and personal registration.