Political Parties

You’re invited to a party!!!! Well, it’s not that kind of party; but nonetheless, every citizen in America is invited to belong to a political party of their choice. Political parties are one way that people can communicate their preferences to those in government. Political parties create opportunities for people to participate in politics and influence how citizens engage with their government. This article will explore the history and functions of political parties in America.

Political Party Definition

In his farewell address, George Washington warned against factions and political parties:

Nevertheless, Americans have divided themselves into like-minded groups to make political changes in our democracy.

There are three elements of political parties: the party in the electorate, the party as an organization, and the party in government.

Party in the Electorate

The party in the electorate is the largest component of the political party. In America, to be a political party member, you have to register to vote and say you are a member. There are no dues to pay or special membership cards for political parties. Registration is easily changed in America as well, so one can move from one political party to another relatively easily.

Citizens join political parties for a myriad of reasons. Some have been socialized by their families to lean towards a particular ideology, so when they register, they register with the party that is dominant in their family. Others feel strongly that their values align closely with a particular party, and they are motivated to affect political change by joining together with like-minded people. Others may want to be politicians, and join a political party to further their ambitions. Whatever the reason, political parties are here to stay!

Party as an Organization

The party as an organization refers to the administration of the political party. There are political party headquarters at various levels of government. Major political parties have national offices, staff, and large budgets.

Party in Government

The party in government refers to the representatives who win office and act as leaders of their respective parties. Their words, votes, actions, and values symbolize the party to millions of Americans and their job is to translate the party platform into policy.

The two-party system in American government is dominated by the Republicans and the Democrats. The Republican party is associated with conservatism, and the Democratic party is more supports a liberal, or progressive doctrine.

Functions of Political Parties

Political parties are linkage institutions.

Political parties have multiple functions. They want to mobilize and educate voters, create party platforms, recruit candidates and help with campaigns and fundraising, and win elections, so they can coordinate policymaking.

Mobilization and Education of Voters

Political parties provide information to prospective voters and educate them on key issues and candidates. They exert a significant influence on citizens and provide them with crucial information. Just having the knowledge that a candidate is a Republican or Democrat sends a message to voters.

Political parties hold voter registration drives and encourage voters to make it to the polls to vote for their candidates and their policies.

Create Platforms

Each party creates a party platform that defines their values and goals. The platform is where a party expresses its ideology. Platforms give cues to voters about where parties stand on issues.

Recruit Candidates and Help Run Campaigns

Being endorsed by a political party is essential to achieving success as a serious candidate for elected office. Parties are always on the lookout for talented and promising candidates, especially if those candidates have their own financial resources.

Through national, county, local, and state party organizations, parties coordinate campaigns on every level of government. Because of the advent of the internet, candidates are more able to take their campaigns directly to the people, so the role of political parties have declined somewhat over time.

Win Elections to Coordinate Policymaking

Political parties are about controlling seats in government to achieve policy goals. Political parties want to win elections, so they can lead and commit themselves to working with other party members across government.

First Political Parties in the U.S.

The first two distinct factions in American politics evolved over disagreements about the U.S. Constitution: the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Anti-Federalists would soon transform themselves into the Democratic-Republicans. The Democratic-Republicans were led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and the party was centered on agrarian interests and soon crushed the Federalist party from existence.

History of Political Parties in the U.S.

1796-1824

Federalists and Anti-Federalists or Federalists and the Democratic Republicans

1828-1856 Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party vs. the Whigs

Andrew Jackson can be considered the father of the modern day political party. In 1828, he formed a coalition of westerners and southerners, immigrants, and Americans who were already settled. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican, but soon the party simply began to be known as the Democrats.

The opposition to Jackson’s Democratic Party was the Whigs. They advocated for westward expansion, a strong central government and a strong national bank. The Whigs only elected two presidents during their tenure: William Henry Harrison (1840) and Zachary Taylor (1848).

1860-1928 The Era of Republican Domination

The 1850s was a time of intense division between northern and southern states. The issue of slavery dominated politics and split both the Democrats and the Whigs. The Republicans emerged as the party against slavery. Today, the Republican Party is often referred to as the GOP, or the “Grand Old Party.” During this era, Republicans enjoyed success with a pro-business, pro-growth platform. Democrats became the party of the South.

1932-1964 Democrat Domination or the New Deal Coalition

After Hoover’s disastrous response to the Great Depression, Americans elected Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Under his leadership, the Democratic Party was transformed. Roosevelt created a coalition out of labor unions, blue-collar workers, urban dwellers, Catholics, Jews, farmers, minorities, white Southerners, the poor, and intellectuals. During this era, more Black Americans shifted from the Republicans to Democrats. This coalition made the Democratic Party the dominant party for decades.

Fig. 1,President Franklin Roosevelt by Vincenzo Laviosa, Wikipedia

1968—The Era of Divided Government and Southern Realignment

The Republican strategy known as the “Southern strategy” began with Richard Nixon in 1968. Armed with talking points such as law and order, a strong military, and states’ rights, Nixon hoped to win over conservative southerns to the Republican Party. Party realignment happened over time, and now the Republican Party dominates the south.

No one political party has dominated government for a length of time during this most recent era.

Fig. 2, Presidential votes by political party, Wikipedia

Political Parties in the U.S.

America is a two-party system. The two parties are the Democrats and the Republicans. The two parties provide clear choices to voters and when a party is out of power, they act as the watch dog of the party in power. Our country’s winner take all system makes it difficult for minor (third parties) to gain any seats. Political socialization also promotes the identification of individuals with a particular party; however, growing numbers of Americans are identifying as Independents: people who do not identify with either party. They act as crucial swing voters. Young people are more likely to identify as Independent.

Fig. 3, Democratic Party Logo, Wikipedia