|
|
Political Parties Party Organization in |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Traditionally, scholars on American political parties have ascribed four broad characteristics of American political parties: 1) a two party system 2) nominally competitive 3) decentralized 4) with an absence of ideology
Today we will explore characteristic #3: a decentralized system As was mentioned last lecture, political scientists have generally described the US parties as stratarchical. This term was coined by political scientist Samuel Eldersveld who argued that since a cadre party's focus is on elections, all of the functions of a political party will be performed at every level in which elections take place. These levels include: 1) national 2) state 3) congressional 4) county 5) local
and the party functions include:
1) recruiting candidates for political office 2) mobilizing voters 3) assisting in campaigns
(There are also two "systemic functions": educating the electorate and increasing system stability)
Eldersveld argued that party notables and activists at each of these levels would be encouraged to participate primarily for material incentive reasons: patronage: a job or other material incentive -or- preferments: preferable treatment
What do you think are the material incentives available at each of these levels?
Local organizations: precincts, wards, county At one time these were some of the most vibrant units of partisan activity, especially from the 1870s until World War I. Some political machines: Tammany Hall, Boss Tweed, the Pendergast Machine, Richard Daley Although some machines still exist (Nassau County Long Island, for example), they are not as prominent as they used to be. Nor were they ever dominant in all areas of the country. Traditionally associated with cities founded during or before the second party system, the political machine lost power as the Progressive movement, new social welfare programs, new methods of politics (party reforms of the presidential selection process), etc. stripped the political machine of most of its reason for existence.
State Organizations: State Committees and State Party Chairs There have been some colorful political machines at the state level however these have generally been dominated by a "colorful" demagogue. See for example: Huey Long, Eugene Talmadge, J. Henry Roraback, John M. Bailey State party organizations (and some state party chairs) were dominant fixtures in American politics until the end of the 1950s when changes similar to those that affected urban political machines and changes in the presidential selection process (especially primaries and candidate-centered campaigns) drastically altered the power of state organizations. State party organizations have made a comeback in the last 30 years particularly spurred on by successful Republican efforts at party renewal beginning in the late 1970s. Led by Brock, Van der Jagt and Packwood, Republicans invested time and effort in developing fundraising, organization and technical expertise. Since these successful efforts, the strength (and power) of state party organizations has increased. State party organizations consist of: 1) state committees; and 2) state party chairpersons. State committees vary widely in size, frequency of meeting, power, etc. Are usually ceremonial (although the Executive Committee may wield some power. Their activities include: 1) fundraising; 2) mobilizing voters; 3) polling; 4) issue development; 5) communication; 6) recruitment; 7) decruitment; 8) selecting delegates to national convention; 9) financial contributions to individual candidates; and 10) supplying campaign services
State party chairs vary in power. Hunckshorn's Types of State Party Chairs:
National Organizations Although national party organizations have undergone little structural change in decades, their power has increased significantly since the late 1970s. Due to the efforts at party renewal, the national party organizations are now tremendous sources of money, management skills, and technological expertise. After an era when "party outsiders" often captured the presidential nomination (or came close) -- Barry Goldwater (1964), Eugene McCarthy, Reagan, George McGovern (1968), Jimmy Carter (1976) -- national committees now play a strong role in influencing the presidential selection process and state elections as well. Not only do the national committees seek a "neat and clean and early" nomination, they also are far more active in ensuring that congressional candidates reflect party goals and visions. In effect the parties have become more "national" as the powerful issues which motivate people to vote are now largely national rather than state or local issues: health care, social security, taxes, etc. In effect, the party's goal of winning the election trumps any concern for ideology, issues or policy stands. This reflects, of course, the cadre party nature of American political parties!
National Committee composed of representatives from the states varies with the two parties (Reps= sate equality/ Dems= weighted formula based on population and vote in last presidential election) large size necessitates Executive Committees and a national Chair
Hill Committees Committees organized in House and Senate to assist the election campaigns of party candidates
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|