What Happened to America's Political Parties? (w/ Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld)
Aug 16, 2024
auto_awesome
Daniel Schlozman, an expert on American political dynamics, joins Sam Rosenfeld, a scholar of party ideologies, to unravel the perplexing state of U.S. political parties. They explore how the transformation since the 1970s has led to parties that feel both omnipresent yet ineffective. The discussion highlights the disconnect between national themes and local interests, the rise of radical factions, and the role of para-party groups in undermining true party goals. Their insights illuminate the troubling paradox of modern American politics.
American political parties are described as 'hollow', indicating a disconnect between their activities and their fundamental duties in democracy.
The rise of neoliberalism and reforms since the 1970s have led to a decline in party-controlled candidate selections, fragmenting party unity.
Campaign finance laws have fragmented fundraising, reducing political parties' influence as candidates increasingly rely on external organizations for support.
Deep dives
The Concept of Hollow Parties
Political parties in contemporary America are described as 'hollow', indicating a disconnect between their activities and their fundamental tasks. While parties appear to be actively engaging in politics, with increased spending and partisan activity, they fail to effectively organize and present coherent choices to voters. The hollowness affects both major parties, leading to Democrats being ineffective and Republicans being unable to manage internal extremism. This lack of organizational strength results in parties that are more reactive than proactive, hindering their ability to fulfill essential democratic functions.
Historical Evolution of Political Parties
The discussion highlights the significant changes in American political parties since the 1970s, largely influenced by the rise of neoliberalism and reforms like the McGovern-Fraser Commission. These changes led to a shift from party-controlled candidate selection to a more open system dominated by individual candidates and special interests. As a result, parties have lost control over their nominations and have become less capable of unifying and mobilizing their voters. The historical context illustrates how these reforms, while intended to democratize the process, contributed to the erosion of party structures and associated effectiveness.
The Impacts of Campaign Finance Laws
The episode discusses the crucial role of campaign finance laws, particularly the Buckley v. Valeo decision in the 1970s, which removed spending caps and altered the dynamics of political fundraising. This decision empowered external organizations and PACs, enabling candidates to bypass traditional party fundraising structures. Consequently, this fragmentation of funding sources diminished the influence of political parties in candidate campaigns and leadership selection. As parties relied more on these external groups for financial support, their ability to act cohesively and pursue unified agendas declined.
Ideological Sorting and its Paradox
Despite the hollowing out of parties, a notable ideological sorting has occurred, leading to greater ideological coherence within parties. The polarization has resulted in a situation where party loyalty is often defined by allegiance to Trump or extreme positions rather than traditional party platforms. This shift reflects a move away from locally rooted civic engagement towards nationalized, issue-driven politics dominated by negative partisanship. Consequently, while parties may appear ideologically sharper, their overall organizational vitality and responsiveness to constituents are significantly weakened.
The Future of Political Parties in America
Looking ahead, the discussion raises concerns about the sustainability of a Trump-centric Republican Party and its implications for American democracy. The uncertainty surrounding Trump's continued influence highlights the volatility within the party, which has become largely contingent on his personal brand. Moreover, the narrative addresses the potential for a future Republican Party that could return to civic-minded engagement but acknowledges the significant challenges in rekindling responsible political behaviors. The complexities of party dynamics suggest that while ideological sorting might seem like a strength, it complicates the pursuit of a functionally democratic political landscape.
Why are American political parties so ineffectual? Why do they seem, simultaneously, so frantically active and so incapable of achieving specific objectives? Why have the Democrats tended to seem listless, uncertain of their own ideological identity; while the Republicans are increasingly dominated by a radical, lunatic fringe more interested in becoming famous on television, radio, and social media than in governing? Why, in other words, are the political parties seemingly "everywhere and nowhere, overbearing and enfeebled, all at once?"
In their new book, The Hollow Parties: The Many Pasts and Disordered Present of American Party Politics, political scientists Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld set out to untangle this paradox. Theyargue that much of the discord, dysfunction, and democratic deficit which characterize contemporary politics can be attributed to the "hollowing out" of American political parties — a process which began, in earnest, in the 1970s, with the neoliberal dismantling of New Deal civil society, the rise of the New Right, and reforms to the party system in the wake of the 1968 conventions. In the wake of these changes, our parties have become unrooted from the communities where their constituents live; they are nationalized instead of locally oriented; they are swarmed by para-party groups and networks (the "party blob") which are both unaccountable and parasitic on the Party's aims; and they are lacking in legitimacy — mistrusted and often treated with contempt, even by their own members.
What has this hollowness wrought in our politics? And can anything be done about it? Sam and Danny are here to explain.
