Party politics does have great bearing on the American voter’s voting choices and policy preferences. It is so because party identification has an integral role in an American’s appreciation for society’s structure, government and policies. To better understand this hypothesis around party identification, one must first understand the following about the American general population who make up the American electorate.
In the general population, party identifiers will include those who register as members of a particular party when registered to vote, and who vote for members of their particular party during elections. These citizens are inclined to describe themselves as members of that party and are prone to endorse the policies of the political party in question (be it Democrat or Republican). They also have a higher turnout in primary elections than in general elections, and, they tend to volunteer for campaigns to support party candidates more than the general population.
Researchers have found that party identification has developed into a form of social identity in a comparable way to that’s of a person with a religious or ethnic group. This sort of identity develops early in life mainly through familial and social influences. Hence, this sort of identity becomes a stabling perspective in the person’s life, which builds on personal, family, social, and environmental factors.
Categorization of Party Identity Development and Stages:
Because many view party identification as a sort of social identity or structural placement within a political or governing system, it is important to characterize the three main stages in which party identification develops hence influencing voter choices and policy preferences.
Childhood influences is one of the main driving forces behind party identification. This is influenced largely by the affiliation of a child’s parents, close family members, and the immediate community. For example, a 90’s child would associate the Democratic Party with the Clinton sex scandal, as would a 2000”s baby who would associate the Republican Party with the war on terror. These sorts of impressions are embossed in the child psychology of children in those eras.
During adulthood and due to personal experiences, people might dwindle or sway toward other parties. However, the longer a person holds a party identity card, the stronger their association with the party becomes. As a result, older folk are prone to be adamantly members of a particular party when they are members.
Finally, party identification may dwindle during a time of change or transition as during the presidency of Bush and the Iraq war and economy, or as was with Nixon and Watergate. In this critical political development stage, mostly young adults are seen to sway, swing, or out-rightly dessert the party of the parents.
In summary, people who identify with a party tend to vote their party’s candidate in various official positions in high percentiles. Strong partisans tend to be absolutely loyal when voting their party’s nominee for office. This trend has seen a greater significance in American politics since the 70’s.