AMERICAN PARTY SYSTEM

The constitution of the United States of America did not mention political parties in its
provisions. But contemporary democracy cannot function without a stable party system,
American democracy is no exception to this requirement. The political parties in the USA
emerged as agrand coalition of different sections and of interest groups. Jefferson is considered
as the founder of the first popular political party in the history of the Western world- this was the
Republican Party, which was formed to challenge the federalist group under Washington and
Hamilton. The Federalist group was dominated by big landlords, bankers and traders. While
the Republican Party was a coalition of small farmers and slave owners. This party flourished
under the leadership of Jefferson and Jackson and dominated American politics in the form of
democratic values & practices. By 1930 the democratic party had remodeled itself into national
and racial minorities, farmers and labourers, negros and unemployed middle class person. In
short the American party system since the 19th century has been a bi party or two party system.

CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE USA

American party system can be identified on the basis of the following features
1. The most important feature of the American party system is that it is a two party or
bi-party system like the British party system. American politics is primarily divided
between the two Grand old parties- namely Democratic party and Republican Party.
This party is acontinuous struggle for political control of the Federal government. They
have also divided among themselves all the social groups as a support base. In American
politics there have been some minor parties and groups but they have failed to play any
prominent role. Thus the two party system has brought stability in American electoral
system. The Southern part of America is predominantly a supporter of Democratic party
and the northern parts are dominated by the Republican Party.
2. Another distinguishing feature of the American party system is that they are based on
locality or state. Since the constitution allows the state to determine the election laws, the
parties have to largely operate under the state regulations. The parties build from local
units upto the state to the nation. Other than the Presidential elections most of the
electoral battles are centred around state issues. It is for this reason that the parties remain
rooted in local interest.
3. Third important feature American party system is that the two major parties have no
ideological distinction. Unlike the British party system the two political parties do not
have any radical difference in ideology or practice. Both the political parties have
different support bases and yet they have certain common ideas and programs like being
 committed to the capitalist economic system, federalism, rights of the citizen ete. The
parties differ in their position with regard to local and internal matters.
4. Political parties in the USA have a defined social support base. The American parties try
to attract all types of voters across the wide cross sections of groups and classes. Thus
both the parties organise programmes in such a manner in order to satisfy a wide range
of groups. However in spite of this feature political parties have often had traditional
support bases in the region, family and unions or groups.
5. The significance of the party system in the government is limited. Americans have
adopted a presidential form of government, the winning party has no control over the
president or both the Houses of the Congress. The principle of separation of power has
resulted in the President being elected from one political party while the Congress may
have domination of another party. Hence, at a given time one political party does not
control both the executive and the legislature, which is usually the practice in
Parliamentary form of Government. The President is relatively free from the party
control and will design his own programme. While at the same time the Congressmen
will have loyalty to their respective parties, which maye be different than that of the
President. Thus at a time none of the two parties can claim control over government.
6. The party organisation in the USA is decentralized and weak in character. In the UK and
India parties are centralised and thoroughly controlled by a core group of leaders. In the
USA Republican and Democrats have the National committee in Washington. Both the
party headquarters have little control over the state or local level unit. They are loosely
linked with this committee. There is no effective chain of command to control the
local
level unit by the top party leaders. In other words there is a lack of party discipline and
control over the state government or on all the local units of the organisation. It is
because of this lack of party discipline and control that the elected members of the
Congress often practice "cross voting" during discussion over bills. They are free from
the fear of being penalize of this party dictate or whip

FUNCTIONS OF THE PARTY SYSTEM IN USA

American Democracy is based on this two party system.

1. The basic function of any political party is to gain the support of the voters and form the
government. American political parties are no exception to this process. The two parties
offer choice to the voters between their policies and candidates at the level of state
election, Congress election and Presidential election. Because the parties lack ideological
differences among themselves which may result in confusion that there is very less
difference among the alternatives. In spite of this confusion parties in the USA have been
dividing the society into two to separate groups of supporters.

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2. The party stimulates and channelised public discussion and debate over national affairs.
The party in power will propagate its policies and program. It will claim success in
implementing those programs. While the opposition party will eriticize the ruling party's
policies and programs. The two political parties encourage public debate, discussion and
evaluation of each other's activity success and failure. Issues of such discussion: vary
from strong foreign policy, education, religion etc.
3 American political parties perform the function of uniting the people belonging to
different race, religion classes and sections of the society. This unity is essential fora
country like America which is heterogeneous in every aspect. Unity will ensure harmony
and stability of the political system. Republicans and democrats practice national unity,
which in turn will ensure economic growth and progress. In other words, national unity
serves the cause of national interest.
4. Both the political parties perform the function of political communication. Both
the Democratic and Republican party will serve as peoples of different governmental
institutions. This function is essential as the American system practices separation of
power and checks and balances. Hence the demands and requirements of the people
have to reach proper government institutions/offices in order to fulfill the purpose. By
performing this function both the party also creates awareness and consciousness among
the general population about government and its different activities. In turn, this
awareness and consciousness will help create public opinion and political consciousness
among the people. Public opinion will determine electoral choices.
5. Finally, the party has the function of political recruitment and breed political leadership.
It is the political parties that political elites are recruited from, trained, ereate their
popular base and then contest elections. Thus, parties in shon determine the future
generation of leaders, prepared through its organisational recruitment and training.