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A Theory of Political Parties: Groups, Policy Demands and Nominations in American Politics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2012

Kathleen Bawn ,
Martin Cohen ,
David Karol ,
Seth Masket ,
Hans Noel  and
John Zaller
Kathleen Bawn
Affiliation:
UCLA, kbawn@polisci.ucla.edu
Martin Cohen
Affiliation:
James Madison University, martycohen17@gmail.com
David Karol
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, College Park, dkarol@umd.edu
Seth Masket
Affiliation:
University of Denver, seth.masket@du.edu
Hans Noel
Affiliation:
Georgetown University, hcn4@georgetown.edu
John Zaller
Affiliation:
UCLA, zaller@ucla.edu
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Abstract

We propose a theory of political parties in which interest groups and activists are the key actors, and coalitions of groups develop common agendas and screen candidates for party nominations based on loyalty to their agendas. This theoretical stance contrasts with currently dominant theories, which view parties as controlled by election-minded politicians. The difference is normatively important because parties dominated by interest groups and activists are less responsive to voter preferences, even to the point of taking advantage of lapses in voter attention to politics. Our view is consistent with evidence from the formation of national parties in the 1790s, party position change on civil rights and abortion, patterns of polarization in Congress, policy design and nominations for state legislatures, Congress, and the presidency.

Type
Research Article
Information
Perspectives on Politics , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , September 2012 , pp. 571 - 597
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 2012

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