2301+M2+Week+5

Week Five
 * GOVT 2301

Elections and the Rise of Political Parties**

Elections are an essential features of democracy. They connect public opinion with public policy and turn "rulers" into "leaders" subject to removal by popular vote. Without elections, the preferences of the public will not be heard by governmental officials. Well this isn't entirely true, since the public may then resort to violence. So elections can perhaps be best thought of as organized, contained means by which the public can influence, though not control, government. In the readings below you will note that a variety of elections exist, some unique the United States, others not.

You will also note that though the U.S. Constitution details how each institution is to be staffed, by designing four distinct processes, nothing is said about how these elections are to be organized. Poltiical parties were a controversial addition to the political landscape in the early years of the republic. Washington cautioned against them, but since they effectively organize both groups in Congress and electoral supporters, they quickly became indespensable parts of the governign process and in fact designed themselves into the very fabric of American government.


 * Readings:**


 * The Founders' Constitution [|Representation]
 * Wikipedia: [|Elections].
 * [|Washington’s Farewell Address]
 * [|History of the Democratic Party]
 * [|History of the Republican Party]
 * 2[|008 Republican Party Platform]
 * [|2008 Democratic Party Platform].

Helpful Terminology:
 * [|elections]
 * [|republicanism]
 * [|constitutionalism]
 * [|federalism]
 * [|majority rule]
 * [|minority rights]
 * [|direct democracy]
 * [|democracy]
 * [|representative democracy]
 * [|suffrage]
 * [|voting rights in the United States]
 * [|voting]
 * [|sortition]
 * [|Westminster System]
 * [|primary elections]
 * [|general election]
 * [|caucus]
 * [|citizenship]
 * [|subjects]
 * [|Electoral College]
 * [|proportional representation]
 * [|gerrymandering]
 * [|political campaign]
 * [|campaign finance]
 * [|political action committees]
 * [|527 committees]
 * [|Buckley v. Valeo]
 * [|presidential elections]
 * [|congressional elections]
 * [|initiative]
 * [|referendum]
 * [|recall election]
 * [|trustees]
 * [|delegates]
 * [|constituency]
 * [|political party]
 * [|political factions.]
 * [|coalitions.]
 * [|two party system.]
 * [|Democratic Party.]
 * [|Factions in the Democratic Party.]
 * [|Republican Party.]
 * [|Factions in the Republican Party.]
 * [|Conservatism in the United States.]
 * [|Liberalism in the United States.]
 * [|the Federalist Party.]
 * [|Alexander Hamilton.]
 * [|the Democrat Republicans.]
 * [|Thomas Jefferson.]
 * [|Democratic Caucus.]
 * [|Republican Conference.]
 * [|divided government.]
 * [|Jacksonian Democracy.]
 * [|political machines.]
 * [|Progressive Era.]
 * [|third parties.]
 * [|party identification.]
 * [|Yellow Dog Democrat.]
 * [|soccer mom.]
 * [|fifth party system.]
 * [|realigning election.]
 * [|straight ticket voters.]
 * [|swing voters.]


 * Assignments:**

Answer each question below with at least 150 words.

1 - What is unique, historically, about the nature of representation as envisioned by the founders? What were the advantages and disadvantages of basis governmental decisions on representative bodies? 2 - Look at the Wikipedia sites on the current elections and outline the stakes involved in the presidential, senate and house elections. What issues are dominant? What predictions are being made about the outcome? Ask whatever other questions you think are appropriate. 3 - Explain, and critically evaluate, why Washington was opposed to the development of political parties. 4 - Detail very briefly how the Democratic and Republican parties were established and how they evolved over time. 5 - Outline the similarities and difference in the 2008 platforms of the Democratic and Republican parties.

Due: April 19 email your answers to me.