[EL] is a whole generation of Americans growing up hating Political Parties?

[Richard Winger]

There are politics blogs geared for independent voters out there.  The people who run them promote the idea that political parties are evil, unnecessary, and we would be better off without parties.

I try to respond that political parties are supposed to be free associations of like-minded people who band together to work for common goals, and that parties ought to be a means for people without great fame or fortune can, together, exercise some political power.  But I seem to be a lonely voice.

Is anyone aware of any recent polls that ask about general attitude toward political parties?  I know Gallup and others ask people if they identify as a Dem, Rep or independent, but that is not the same question.  But I am guessing that if the public were asked their opinion of political parties in general, at least half would express negative attitudes.


I think people who believe in the usefulness of political parties ought to organize a group that defends and explains what political parties are.  Back in the 1980's there was a Committee for Party Renewal, which attracted lots of political scientists, sponsored conferences, and helped win some lawsuits in the US Supreme Court, especially Eu v San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee, and also Tasjhian v Republican Party of Connecticut.  I think the Committee died out, or its various branches did.

Theoretically, Democratic Party officials and Republican Party officials ought to be concerned about the general public attitude toward parties, and might even work together on a pro-political party outreach.  It would help if Democratic and Republican Party officials were friendly toward minor parties as well.  Democratic state legislators in recent years have been friendly toward minor parties, but I am  sorry to say Republican state legislators and Republican party officials have been a real force for squashing minor parties recently, in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina especially, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma especially, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee.

 
Richard Winger
415-922-9779
PO Box 470296, San Francisco Ca 94147
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