Can anyone explain US parties (political)
#1
Can anyone explain US parties (political)
I get how the parties in the UK work, I was a Labour member for much of my time, but I think I have brought over much of that understanding, and now I am not sure it is an exact match.
In the US people talk about membership, just by indicating voter preference for primaries, so clearly, party membership doesnt mean the same thing.
So what about card carrying membership? Membership seems to be state and national (to a committee) but done by donation. No set fee, no membership no application, no acceptance. Just pay a donation of your choosing and you are in. Can people be booted out of the party? Who controls the party?
Has the UK gone a bit more American, I am thinking of the pay-to-vote for Labour leader.
Anyone with knowledge of parties on both sides of the Atlantic care to try and compare and contrast for me.
In the US people talk about membership, just by indicating voter preference for primaries, so clearly, party membership doesnt mean the same thing.
So what about card carrying membership? Membership seems to be state and national (to a committee) but done by donation. No set fee, no membership no application, no acceptance. Just pay a donation of your choosing and you are in. Can people be booted out of the party? Who controls the party?
Has the UK gone a bit more American, I am thinking of the pay-to-vote for Labour leader.
Anyone with knowledge of parties on both sides of the Atlantic care to try and compare and contrast for me.
#2
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
I don't know about the UK system. My limited knowledge about the US system:
The rules of registering for one party or another varies widely by state. In some states, registering as a party member allows one to vote in the primaries. States with "open primaries" don't have this requirement. You can be booted from a party. Outside of that, registering for one party or another is largely symbolic, registered members are not prevented from voting for candidates of other parties in actual elections.
Both parties are headed by a "National Committee". The RNC or DNC creates the party platform, runs fundraising, runs the convention (during which the candidates are selected) and defines national election strategy.
The rules of registering for one party or another varies widely by state. In some states, registering as a party member allows one to vote in the primaries. States with "open primaries" don't have this requirement. You can be booted from a party. Outside of that, registering for one party or another is largely symbolic, registered members are not prevented from voting for candidates of other parties in actual elections.
Both parties are headed by a "National Committee". The RNC or DNC creates the party platform, runs fundraising, runs the convention (during which the candidates are selected) and defines national election strategy.
#3
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
I get how the parties in the UK work, I was a Labour member for much of my time, but I think I have brought over much of that understanding, and now I am not sure it is an exact match.
In the US people talk about membership, just by indicating voter preference for primaries, so clearly, party membership doesnt mean the same thing.
So what about card carrying membership? Membership seems to be state and national (to a committee) but done by donation. No set fee, no membership no application, no acceptance. Just pay a donation of your choosing and you are in. Can people be booted out of the party? Who controls the party?
Has the UK gone a bit more American, I am thinking of the pay-to-vote for Labour leader.
Anyone with knowledge of parties on both sides of the Atlantic care to try and compare and contrast for me.
In the US people talk about membership, just by indicating voter preference for primaries, so clearly, party membership doesnt mean the same thing.
So what about card carrying membership? Membership seems to be state and national (to a committee) but done by donation. No set fee, no membership no application, no acceptance. Just pay a donation of your choosing and you are in. Can people be booted out of the party? Who controls the party?
Has the UK gone a bit more American, I am thinking of the pay-to-vote for Labour leader.
Anyone with knowledge of parties on both sides of the Atlantic care to try and compare and contrast for me.
#4
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
How does one become active in a party in terms of the influencing the National Committees and the like, what is the internal democratic procedure, if such exists. What requirements for voting people in to power up the pyramid. Anyone know.
#5
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
Click away here....
http://www.democrats.org/about/our-party/party-organization
as for your thread title - I explain them as piggy banks in the guise of donkey or elephant.
Very cynical, I know.
(only came to this position a few days ago....thanks, election 2016)
add'l link: https://wadems.ngpvanhost.com/local/pco
http://www.democrats.org/about/our-party/party-organization
as for your thread title - I explain them as piggy banks in the guise of donkey or elephant.
Very cynical, I know.
(only came to this position a few days ago....thanks, election 2016)
add'l link: https://wadems.ngpvanhost.com/local/pco
Last edited by MMcD; Mar 31st 2016 at 10:36 pm. Reason: added link
#7
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
Colbert tried to run in both the Republican and Democrat presidential primaries, at least in SC in 2012, or was it 2008. The courts ruled against him, say he could run in either primary, but not both.
#8
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
If you are a USC, just go and register with the party affiliation of your choice, then you will find out. As soon as the party of your choosing have your name and number, you will be flooded with solicitations for donations and volunteering around election time.
#9
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,455
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
I guess each party is different. This one seems to have a fairly straightforward membership model. Fill out the form, pay $60 for membership for a year, and you're in.
Communist Party USA » cpusa
Communist Party USA » cpusa
#10
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
At the local level, the non-VIPs can volunteer and network their way in and up the ladder.
#11
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
I guess each party is different. This one seems to have a fairly straightforward membership model. Fill out the form, pay $60 for membership for a year, and you're in.
Communist Party USA » cpusa
Communist Party USA » cpusa
#13
Banned
Joined: Feb 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 348
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
Neither the Dems or Republicans bare any resemblance to their UK versions so if the op thinks he automatically belongs to the Dems given his Labour membership he might want to learn not even Sanders advocates state ownership of industry and had dubious stances on immigration before anyone had heard of him. To put it simply, both parties are pro capitalism, the main differences are on social policy. The Dems support abortion and don't like making any correlation between terrorism and Islam, something well known liberal Bill Maher slammed in an interview recently. They also bend over backwards to deny illegal immigration even exits because immigrants generally vote for them. The Republicans, on the other hand, are largely anti abortion, believe gun ownership is a right of every citizen which it is according to the constitution and are pro military. Hope this helps
#15
Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)
As an aside George Washington didn't believe in political parties. For instance Nebraska has a non partisan legislature. I think we (America) should have a constitutional amendment to ban political parties. I don't know what function they have. I think they are nothing more than a ruling clique.