American Political Parties

American Political Parties

Political Science 253/363

Spring 2004

Office: Pick 528

Phone: 702-2370

Course Description

This course is designed as an introduction to the nature and function of American political parties. Its central theme is the role that political parties play as intermediary institutions between the public and their elected officials.

The course is crudely divided into three topical areas. First, we examine the United States’ constitutional checks on the development of strong, ideologically cohesive national parties and how ambitious politicians have formed party organizations in response to those checks. Second, we investigate the relationship between political parties and the electorate, with a particular focus on how the activity of partisan elites impacts mass behavior and attitudes. Third, we study the role of parties in the organization of the national legislature.

For each topical area, readings and discussion will begin with classic arguments for or against the presence of ideological disciplined national parties. Subsequent assignments then examine the extent to which the American party system has lived up to the prescriptions of the classical theorists at different points in its history.

Please note that given the social scientific sensibilities of the instructor, many of the readings in the course are quite technical. A student unwilling to take the time to puzzle through statistical tables or basic formal (read: mathematical) political theory should find another course.

Evaluative Criteria

Your deliverables for the class are negotiable. But for most students, your grades will be based on the following items:

- Class Presentation and Participation: 20% of your grade

Students are expected to be attentive listeners and active participants in discussion. Poor attendance and a lack of preparation for class will badly affect your grade.

- 3 short papers: each 20% of your grade

One approximately 1500 word paper will be due approximately one week at the end of each section of the course. Papers should apply the key ideas and concepts from one of the topical areas to current events, American history, or a subject from some other course. Graduate students are particularly encouraged and expected to explore bridges between the parties’ literature and other subjects. A successful effort will clearly identify why their topic is important, succinctly present the theoretical perspective developed in the readings and class, and demonstrate the relevance of that theory to their case. Report your word count in the paper.

- Take Home Final Examination: 20 % of your grade

You will be asked to answer the following question: Critically evaluate one and only one rationale for strong parties in the American political system. Be careful to define what you mean by a “strong party.” You may begin writing your answer now. Your answer may be no longer than 1300 words. Report your word count.

Books

The following books should be available for purchase at the Seminary Coop.

Richard Hofstadter, The Idea of a Party System. Paperback. University of California Press. 1990.

John Aldrich, Why Parties? Paperback. University of Chicago Press. 1995.

Angus Campbell, et al. The American Voter. Unabridged Edition. Paperback. University of Chicago Press. 1980.

David Mayhew. Divided We Govern. Paperback. Yale University Press. 1993.

David Rohde. Parties and Leaders in the Postreform House. Paperback. University of Chicago Press. 1991.

Reading List (subject to change at the instructor’s discretion—Texts are available at the Seminary Coop, Regenstein reserve online or home.uchicago.edu/~grynav/app04.htm)

Introduction

March 30. Introduction

Party Organization

April 1. A Constitution Against Parties

Madison, Federalist 10

Madison, Federalist 51

Hofstadter, The Idea of a Party System, Ch. 1 and 2

Washington’s Farewell Address (Optional)

April 6. Why Parties?

Aldrich, Why Parties? Ch. 1 and 2 (chapter 2 is tough sledding so take your time)

April 8. The First Parties

Hofstadter, The Idea of a Party System, Ch. 3 and 4

Aldrich, Why Parties? Chapters 3

April 13. Mass Parties

Hofstadter. Chapters 5 and 6.

Aldrich, Why Parties? Aldrich Ch. 4 and 5.

April 15. Party Activists

Aldrich, Why Parties? Part III, Prologue and Chapter 6.

McClosky, et al, 1960. Issue Conflict and Consensus Among Party Leaders and Followers.” APSR pp. 361-382.

Party-in-the-Electorate

April 20. Introduction to Party-in-the-Electorate

Lawrence Lowell. 1913. “Advertisement and Brokerage” and “The Falsification of Public Opinion.” In Public Opinion and Popular Government.

April 22. Party Identification

Campbell, et al. The American Voter.

April 23. First Paper Due on party organization at 5pm

April 27. Alternative Models of Partisan Choice

Downs, “The Development of Political Ideologies as Means of Getting Votes,” and “The Statics and Dynamics of Party Ideologies.” In An Economic Theory of Democracy.

Converse, 1964. “The Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics.” In Ideology and Discontent. Ed. David Apter.

April 29. The Decline of Parties Thesis

Wattenberg, 1981. “The Decline of Political Partisanship in the United States: Negativity or Neutrality,” APSR pp. 941-950.

Fiorina, 1980. “The Decline of Collective Responsibility,” Daedalus.

May 4. The First Revisionist School of Partisan Identification

Key, “The Voice of the People: An Echo” and “Standpatters, Switchers, New Voters.” In The Responsible Electorate.

Fiorina, 1977. “An Outline for a Model of Party Choice,” AJPS pp. 601-625.

Niemi and Jennings, 1991. “Issues and Inheritance in the Formation of Party Identification.” AJPS pp. 970-988.

May 6. The Second Revisionist School of Partisan Identification

Erikson, MacKuen, and Stimson, “Macropartisanship: the permanent memory of party performance” and “Decomposing Partisan Change.” In The Macro Polity.

May 11. Split-Ticket Voting

Fiorina. 1992. “An Era of Divided Government.” PSQ