ABSTRACT

James Madison asserted in the Federalist Papers that “both the public good and the rights of other citizens” could be sacrifi ced to the “ruling passion or interest” of a majority faction, or political party (Madison, Federalist No. 10, 1787). Further, he argued for adoption of the Constitution that would establish a separation of powers and various checks and balances in the new federal government to protect the rights of the people by making it diffi cult for a majority to take control of the entire government (Madison, Federalist No. 51, 1788). George Washington warned in his Farewell Address (draft ed for him by Alexander Hamilton) of “the baneful eff ects of the Spirit of Party,” and his successor, John Adams, asserted that “a division of the republic into two great parties…is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our constitution” (quoted in Hofstadter 1969, 2, 22). Given the Founders’ fear of and disdain for political parties, it is not surprising that there have been many concerted attempts to chip away at the power and infl uence of these potentially powerful organizations. Yet, one of the enduring features of U.S. party organizations is their ability to survive, and sometimes thrive, by adapting to changing and oft en hostile circumstances (Aldrich 1995; Brewer and Stonecash 2009; Kolodny and Dwyre 1998).