Six Feet Under - The Death of American Parties

Term Paper , 2005 , 21 Pages , Grade: 2,0

Politics - Region: USA

Due to my father’s involvement in local politics, I was excited when election time came around.
Even little children were showered with gifts, such as candy, sun visors, balloons, pens – and the
list goes on. Seeing the party logo in bold letters on every imaginable item became an everyday
experience. But it was after my grandfather had died that I had the most memorable experience
concerning the German party system. My father had kept his party membership certificate, a
book with smooth leather binding and a black, red, and golden tassel dangling from its spine. I
asked my father whether my grandfather was still a member; he shock his head and told me: “No,
a party membership expires once the person has died.“
It is striking, that this kind of regulating party identification by institutional and legal
means is non-existent in the United States. What theories then describe the exceptional
conceptualization of party identification in the American context and how has party identification
developed over time in the U.S.? To answer these questions, major theories of party identification
will be presented and the decline of party identification will be analyzed. In conclusion, evidence
will show that American parties in the electorate are in a state of decline, which will have major
consequences for the political and social landscape during the next few decades.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Concept of Party Identification
  • The Michigan School Model
  • Rational Choice Theory
  • The Multidimensional Model
  • Difficulties in Measurement
• The Decline of Party Identification
  • Empirical Data
  • Socio-Economics and Party Identification
  • Education and Party Identification
  • Issue Voting and Candidate Voting
    • The Concept of Issue Voting
    • The Concept of Candidate Voting
• Consequences of Declining Partisanship
  • Electoral Impact
  • Candidate and Partisan Images
  • Alternative Partisan Activism - Election Campaigns
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work aims to explore the concept of party identification in the United States, examining its historical development, major theories, and current trends. It analyzes the decline of party identification, investigating the reasons behind this trend and its potential consequences for the political and social landscape. Key themes explored in the text include:

• The unique characteristics of American parties and party identification.
• The different theoretical models used to explain party identification.
• The empirical evidence demonstrating the decline of party identification.
• The socio-economic and educational factors influencing party identification.
• The impact of declining partisanship on electoral behavior and political participation.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Introduction

This chapter introduces the concept of party identification in the United States, contrasting it with the more institutionalized party systems found in Europe. It highlights the absence of formal membership in American parties and the unique challenges this poses for measuring political participation. The chapter sets the stage for the exploration of major theories and the analysis of the decline of party identification.

The Concept of Party Identification

This chapter presents a brief overview of the different aspects of party identification in the U.S. and then examines various approaches for measuring identification.

The Michigan School Model

This chapter explores the "socio-psychological model" of party identification developed by researchers at the University of Michigan. It outlines the key tenets of the model, including the concept of party identification as a long-term, stable affective attachment and its role in shaping political views and behavior. The chapter also discusses the intergenerational transfer of party identification and how it can be influenced by events and crises.

Rational Choice Theory

This chapter presents an alternative to the Michigan School model, focusing on "Rational Choice Theory" as a framework for understanding party identification. It argues that individuals are rational actors who choose their party affiliation based on factors like information shortcuts and utility maximization.

The Multidimensional Model

This chapter examines a more nuanced approach to party identification, considering the multidimensional nature of political preferences and how individuals may hold conflicting views on different issues. It discusses the importance of considering both ideological and affective dimensions in understanding party identification.

Difficulties in Measurement

This chapter delves into the challenges of accurately measuring party identification, exploring the complexities of capturing intangible concepts like political attachment and loyalty. It discusses the limitations of traditional survey methods and explores alternative approaches to data collection.

The Decline of Party Identification

This chapter examines the empirical data demonstrating the declining trend of party identification in the United States. It analyzes the reasons behind this decline, considering factors like political polarization, changing demographics, and the rise of media and social media.

Empirical Data

This chapter presents a detailed analysis of empirical data related to party identification, drawing on surveys and polls to illustrate the declining trend. It examines various factors influencing these changes, including shifts in demographics, political attitudes, and media consumption.

Socio-Economics and Party Identification

This chapter explores the relationship between socio-economic factors and party identification, examining how income, education, and occupation influence political affiliations. It analyzes the potential impact of social and economic changes on the evolution of party identification.

Education and Party Identification

This chapter focuses specifically on the role of education in shaping party identification, examining how educational attainment influences political views and engagement. It analyzes the relationship between education levels, political knowledge, and partisan attachments.

Issue Voting and Candidate Voting

This chapter explores the concepts of issue voting and candidate voting, analyzing their impact on party identification. It examines how individuals make choices based on specific issues, candidate characteristics, and party affiliations.

The Concept of Issue Voting

This chapter provides a detailed definition of issue voting, exploring its importance in contemporary politics. It examines how individuals prioritize certain issues, how these priorities influence their voting decisions, and how issue salience can impact party identification.

The Concept of Candidate Voting

This chapter defines candidate voting, emphasizing the role of candidate characteristics in electoral decisions. It analyzes how personality, experience, and policy positions influence voters' choices, examining the potential impact of candidate-centric campaigns on party identification.

Consequences of Declining Partisanship

This chapter examines the potential consequences of declining partisanship for the political and social landscape. It discusses the implications for electoral behavior, political discourse, and the effectiveness of political institutions.

Electoral Impact

This chapter analyzes the impact of declining partisanship on electoral outcomes, examining the implications for candidate strategies, voter turnout, and the dynamics of party competition. It explores how declining partisanship may influence the nature of elections and the stability of political systems.

Candidate and Partisan Images

This chapter explores the impact of declining partisanship on candidate images and partisan perceptions. It examines how the changing political landscape affects the way candidates are perceived, how political parties are evaluated, and how voters make decisions.

Alternative Partisan Activism - Election Campaigns

This chapter examines the role of alternative forms of partisan activism in election campaigns, exploring how declining partisanship has influenced the way individuals engage in politics. It analyzes the rise of online activism, grassroots movements, and other forms of political participation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this text are: party identification, partisanship, political attachment, American political parties, decline of partisanship, Michigan School Model, Rational Choice Theory, issue voting, candidate voting, electoral behavior, political participation, and the American political landscape.

• College: Durham University
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Anonym (Author)
• Publication Year: 2005
• Pages: 21
• Catalog Number: V153855
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640660650
• ISBN (Book): 9783640661091
• Language: English
• Tags: Feet, Under, Death, American, Parties