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The evolution of political parties essay
The evolution of political parties essay
The rise of American political parties
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Just as Andrew Jackson had envisioned during the formation of the Democratic Party in the 1820's all organized political parties depend on the common working man to form their base. No matter how strong any party may appear at first glance its strength comes from the grass roots members in small communities throughout the country and goes upward and not from the top down. Many political leaders and organizers in the national political arena of today have forgotten this important fact. Over the years since the party's were first organized activists and members of the local political party's have declined. Today the local party activity's are concentrated around the local campaign periods and the offices located within their community. During this period party activist conduct registration,hand out informational flyers and help people to get out and vote. Local party members and …show more content…
They also provide representatives to assist both the state and local parties with their activities. In some areas the national party may attempt to recruit candidates to run against members of the other party when no quality members or candidates are available. The major function for the national parties' during campaigns is fund raising and spending of the money raised. These funds are raised through varies means and by multiple committees in addition to the national party fund raisers. These funds are used to for operations such as the getting people out to vote, fund raiser, advertising for their policies and candidates. In addition to those activities some money is given to support campaigns of candidates running for seats in the House of Representatives and Senate,but this money is strictly regulated so special attention must be paid at all
A political party is a group of people who seek to win elections and hold public office in order to shape government policy and programs. George Washington warned the nation against creating political parties in his famous “Farewell Address”. He feared political parties would divide the country and weaken support of the Constitution (Doc 4). The first major political parties, the Federalists and the Republicans, were created during the term of President George Washington. Despite President Washington’s warning, the rise of the two political parties, in the years after his term was inevitable. The Federalists were in favor of a strong central government, while the anti-federalists opposed most their ideas. Over time, the gradual development of political parties resulted in the Democrat and Republican parties we have today. The Whiskey Rebellion and different views between the Federalists and Antifederalists were a couple of the main causes that led to the rise of political parties in the 1790’s.
Political parties can mobilize the nation as a movement for change. Zeal can be too emotional and partisan, but it can be good if used toward republican ideals. Madison believed that the creation of the Jeffersonian-Republican Party was a good thing because it fought for republican ideals. The Federalists, whom he called Anti-republicans, he charged with deserting true republican principles (Reichley 49). Most political societies will have two natural societies, he explained, the haves and the have-nots. The haves supported those who had power and money and would protect their power and money, using power and force, thinking that the have-nots were incapable of governing themselves. The Jeffersonian-Republican Party represented the have-nots, the great body of the people (Reichley 43). Since the party that Madison helped create was representing the majority of the people, it supports his argument in Federalist No. 51 ¨a coalition of a majority of the whole could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good.” The majority of people are normally right, so if the majority of people were against the Federalists, then the Jeffersonian-Republicans were filling a republican
The first political parties in America began to form at the end of the 18th century. "The conflict that took shape in the 1790s between the Federalists and the Antifederalists exercised a profound impact on American history." The two primary influences, Thomas Jefferson a...
Party is an inevitable feature of the democracy and it is defined as ‘an autonomous group of citizens having the purpose of making nominations and contesting elections in the hope of gaining control over governmental power through the capture of public offices and the organization of the government’ (Caramani, 2011, p.220). Parties are ubiquitous in modern political systems and they perform a number of functions, they are: coordination, contesting elections, recruitment, and representation (Caramani, 2011). Political parties are the product of the parliamentary and electoral game, and party systems reflect the social oppositions that characterize society when parties first appear (Coxall et al., 2011).
Despite what’s against 3rd parties they still do manage to make some important contributions in our political system. One contribution is there ability to shift other party’s views along the political spectrum slightly.
Though he is aware that these parties are likely to grow, he advises that “wise people” (Washington, 1796) will discourage it. He cautions that in promoting political parties the danger arises of one party seeking the upper hand and that it ignites animosity at the expense of the public.
Americans have become so engrossed with the rhetoric of political parties that many are unable have real discussions about “freedom, fairness, equality, opportunity, security, accountability.” (Lakoff p.177) The election of 1828 gave birth to the “professional politician” it demonstrated how “ambivalence” on issues, how image and the right language or narrative can influence voters. Partisanship did increase competition and empower voters to a greater degree, but it has also divided Americans and obstructed communication. As one historian declared the “old hickory” killed the ideal of nonpartisan leadership. (Parsons p.184) For better or for worse American politics were forever be changed in 1828.
In the 1790s, soon after the ratification of the Constitution, political parties were nonexistent in the USA because President Washington feared they would drive the country apart. However, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, with their rivalling mental models, could not help but spark the division of the United States into the Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties. These parties, the Democratic-Republican wanting a small, local government system and the Federalist wanting a strong, powerful government system, turned citizens against one another and eventually led to the inimical Democratic and Republican parties of today. Hence, the formation of the original political parties in the United States is very significant. Political
During the late 19th and early 20th century both the Populist Party and Progressive movement wanted to preserve some things, while also addressing the need for reform. Although many of the ideas and goals of these “Third parties” were initially not legislated and considered far-fetched, many of these ideas later became fundamental laws throughout American history.
In closing, Washington had warned the people about the dangers of the political party saying that ‘ It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.’ Its up to the people of America to realize the problem with two party system, and vote outside of the two major parties.
Political parties have been around since almost the beginning of this great country. Although George Washington strongly opposed political parties, and also warned the nation to stay away from forming political parties, the first political parties were formed right under his own nose. In George Washington’s cabinet was where the first parties started. The cause of these parties was simply differences in views. The thought of leaders of these two completely different parties was Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson started what then was known of as Republican or the Anti-Federalist. On the other hand Hamilton started what was known of as the Federalist Party. Both of these parties formed in the seventeen hundreds. These two parties have evolved into today being known as the Democratic, and the Republican parties. On the contrary one of the largest third party groups, the tea party was formed just recently in the year two thousand and nine. All three of these political parties effect our government today.
Today, political parties can be seen throughout everyday life, prevalent in various activities such as watching television, or seeing signs beside the road while driving. These everyday occurrences make the knowledge of political parties commonly known, especially as the two opposing political parties: the Republicans and the Democrats. Republican and Democrats have existed for numerous years, predominantly due to pure tradition, and the comfort of the ideas each party presents. For years, the existence of two political parties has dominated the elections of the president, and lower offices such as mayor, or the House of Representatives. Fundamentally, this tradition continues from the very emergence of political parties during the election of 1796, principally between Federalist John Adams and Anti-federalist Thomas Jefferson. Prior to this election people unanimously conformed to the ideas of one man, George Washington, and therefore did not require the need for political parties.1 However, following his presidency the public was divided with opposing opinions, each arguing the best methods to regulate the country. Ultimately, the emergence of different opinions regarding the future of the United States involving the economy, foreign relations, ‘the masses,’ and the interpretation of the Constitution, led to the two political parties of the 1790s and the critical election of 1800.
Party identification is the political party that an individual categorizes themselves with. Political parties came about as a way to organize citizens with similar beliefs and attitudes. These parties then attempt to influence the government by electing members into office. Today there are two main parties people can identify with: Republican and Democrat. There is also a third choice, being an Independent, but for the purpose of this paper this group will not be recognized as a political party.
Despite being the constant underdog and loser in major elections third parties make some significant contribution to the political spectrum in the United States. Third Party Agendas are taken serious by the Democratic and Republican Parties and specific pieces of the Third Party Agendas are sometimes adopted by the two major parties. Third parties give discontented voters other alternatives. The Republican and Democratic Parties have been known to operate in similar styles and third parties give the voter the opportunity to express their discontent. The third parties in the United States are policy advocates and often are more specific about were they stand ideologically. Often the Republican and Democratic Parties try and take a moderate approach to political issues, and third parties are more conservative or liberal when it comes to political issues. Also, third parties tend to do exactly the opposite when their agenda concerns social issues. Then there is the ?spoiler factor? a Third Party Candidate can collect enough votes to change the outcome of a Presidential Election.
The “era of new politics”, a term describing the decline of political parties and the rise of interest groups as articulators of political demands, continues nearly unabated on both the national and state level. Functions that political parties used to perform, such as candidate selection, fund raising, and drafting legislation, are now being taken over by interest groups. Interest groups are proving to be more flexible than parties in meeting the wide range of political demands and tasks placed on American political organizations”. A negative effect of political parties is that they become too powerful and that political parties can often seem a debilitating influence on the government.