Who Needs Political Parties

Who need Political Parties?

Rick Valelly

* Are Americans tired of political parties?

* 2 views

o One school of thought is that parties are in decline and, consequently we have a major problem. The public has a right to be irritated

o A second view holds that parties have changed dramatically but that they are just as strong as they used to be.

o A third David Mayhew of Yale University is that political scientists have attributed to much importance to party dynamics. They matter but less so than we think.(1) Other things have more of an effect.

 EX. Wars. Yet the effects of wars seem to cut even deeper. Wars seem to be capable of generating whole new political universes. They can generate new problems and open up policy windows, thus often fostering new policies, but they can also generate new ideas, issues, programs, preferences, and ideologies and refashion old electoral coalitions--thus permanently altering the demand side of politics. Certainly, by strengthening the national state, wars can alter the supply side of politics. (2)

* What do parties do?

o Identify with a goal, representative, provide leadership

* Democrats

o Government action to solve problems but want government generally to stay out of their personal, religious, or moral lives

* Republicans

o Government should provide social and moral order, but should play little role in the economy

* Parties have changed over time and vary more.

o It is commonly thought that party polarization in congress is a result of the polarization of the electorate. However, the relationship between voters and elected officials is interactive and dynamic.(3)

* I feel that political parties are just fine we just need to be more educated and motivated

* Approximately 50 parties http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm