What Role should Parties have in our Political System?
There are different viewpoints about whether parties help or hurt a constitutional democracy. The Framers of the US Constitution warned of the dangers of parties. In 1796, President George Washington issued his Farewell Address with much advice for our young country. It is well worthwhile to read this extended quotation about parties:
“. . . I have already intimated to you, the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, Generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissention, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of is own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely ought of sight) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise People to discourage and restrain it.”
Parties divide us and, most insidiously, can do so along geographic lines. Parties beguile our thinking, encouraging emotion over reason and public-mindedness. Finally, parties may lead to despotism as we embrace the leader of one faction over another. Therefore, from the Framers' point of view, parties ought to be discouraged.
Washington's warnings did not stop the development of parties. Divisions among the Framers led to the formation of parties. Party politics came to drive American politics, directing our political ideologies, campaigns, electoral processes, and legislative politics.
By the mid-twentieth century, the viewpoint of most political scientists was the exact opposite of Washington's. E.E. Schattschneider's often-quoted statement epitomizes the modern attitude: "Modern democracies are unthinkable save in terms of political parties." Parties serve as important linkage institutions connecting the people to the government. Parties are essential mediating institutions that help overcome the problems of mass democracy by channeling politics into organizations that interact constructively in the electoral and legislative arenas.
Perhaps a middle ground between the Framers' fears and Schattschneider's optimism is best. Governor Hiram Johnson believed that special interests, especially the Southern Pacific Railroad, had corrupted parties and state politics. The Progressives promoted reforms to reduce the power of parties and allow the people to control them. Major reforms included the following:
- Primary elections: instead of party leaders selecting candidates, anyone qualified can choose to run, and it is up to the people to discern the best candidate (passed by legislative referendum, 1909).
- Nonpartisan elections (local races, such as for city councils and school boards).
- Ballot reforms:
- The secret ballot (originating in Australia and thus often called the Australian ballot) was instituted in California in 1891.
- The office block ballot—shows all the candidates running for each office.
- Civil Service Reform: The party patronage system ("the spoils system") in which the party in power doles out jobs to supporters is replaced by the California State Civil Service System in 1913 under Governor Johnson.
- Direct Democracy: the referendum, the recall, and the initiative allow the people to change officeholders and policy directly and sidestep parties entirely (Peterson, King).
The Progressives were realists. Parties are necessary for a modern democracy but must be limited in power and made to reflect popular demands rather than only narrow special interests. As with many aspects of politics, crafting the appropriate role for parties in California remains essential.
