Political parties are very important when it comes to making decisions after elections. They do this in a few key ways:
Majority Control and Setting the Agenda: Political parties often win enough seats in places like the U.S. Congress to have a majority. For example, after the 2020 elections, the Democratic Party controlled both the House of Representatives with 222 seats and the Senate with 50 seats, plus the Vice President who can break ties. When a party has the majority, they can decide what laws to talk about and which policies are important to them.
Party Discipline: Members of Congress from the same party usually vote together. This strengthens the party’s power over laws. A report from the Brookings Institution in 2019 showed that 88% of House Democrats and 90% of House Republicans voted the same way on important issues. This means members in each party often stick together.
Campaign Promises and Follow-Through: Political parties often campaign with clear goals. For example, the Republican Party in 2020 talked a lot about cutting taxes and reducing regulations. On the other hand, the Democratic Party focused on making healthcare better and addressing climate change. Once they are elected, party members really want to keep their promises, so they introduce laws related to those goals.
Building Coalitions: Political parties often work together, both within their party and with other groups. During the 111th Congress (2009-2010), for example, the Democrats teamed up with different interest groups and some moderate Republicans to pass the Affordable Care Act. This law had parts that appealed to both more progressive members and those in the center.
Influencing the Bureaucracy: After elections, the party that wins can also choose people for important government jobs. This helps put their policies into action. The President makes around 4,000 political appointments, and many of these people are loyal to the party’s ideas.
Through these methods, political parties have a big impact on rules and policies after elections.
Political parties are very important when it comes to making decisions after elections. They do this in a few key ways:
Majority Control and Setting the Agenda: Political parties often win enough seats in places like the U.S. Congress to have a majority. For example, after the 2020 elections, the Democratic Party controlled both the House of Representatives with 222 seats and the Senate with 50 seats, plus the Vice President who can break ties. When a party has the majority, they can decide what laws to talk about and which policies are important to them.
Party Discipline: Members of Congress from the same party usually vote together. This strengthens the party’s power over laws. A report from the Brookings Institution in 2019 showed that 88% of House Democrats and 90% of House Republicans voted the same way on important issues. This means members in each party often stick together.
Campaign Promises and Follow-Through: Political parties often campaign with clear goals. For example, the Republican Party in 2020 talked a lot about cutting taxes and reducing regulations. On the other hand, the Democratic Party focused on making healthcare better and addressing climate change. Once they are elected, party members really want to keep their promises, so they introduce laws related to those goals.
Building Coalitions: Political parties often work together, both within their party and with other groups. During the 111th Congress (2009-2010), for example, the Democrats teamed up with different interest groups and some moderate Republicans to pass the Affordable Care Act. This law had parts that appealed to both more progressive members and those in the center.
Influencing the Bureaucracy: After elections, the party that wins can also choose people for important government jobs. This helps put their policies into action. The President makes around 4,000 political appointments, and many of these people are loyal to the party’s ideas.
Through these methods, political parties have a big impact on rules and policies after elections.