The Republican Party’s Decay Began Long Before Trump
14Digest
This episode of the Ezra Klein Show delves into the weakening of political parties in the United States, particularly focusing on the Republican Party's vulnerability to Donald Trump's takeover. The episode features an interview with political scientists Daniel Schlossman and Sam Rosenfeld, authors of the book "The Hollow Parties." They argue that the Republican Party's decline is a long-standing issue, rooted in decades of changes, including the rise of the conservative movement, the McGovern-Fraser Commission, and the increasing reliance on direct mail and small-dollar donations. The episode highlights how these factors have eroded the party's internal structure and its ability to act strategically, leaving it susceptible to figures like Trump who exploit social resentment and conflict. The episode also discusses the role of media, particularly right-wing media, in shaping the Republican Party's identity and agenda. The episode concludes with a discussion about the potential dangers of a weakened party system for American democracy, emphasizing the need for parties to regain their legitimacy and capacity to act as mediating institutions between individuals and the government.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode and its focus on the decline of political parties in the United States, particularly the Republican Party's vulnerability to Donald Trump's takeover.
Trump's Rise and the Hollowing Out of Parties
This Chapter explores the historical context of Donald Trump's rise to power, arguing that his success is a product of the weakening of political parties and the changing nature of American politics.
The Role of Parties in American History
This Chapter delves into the historical role of political parties in American democracy, highlighting their importance as mediating institutions and their evolution over time.
The Failure of the Republican Party
This Chapter examines the Republican Party's decline, attributing it to the rise of the conservative movement, the McGovern-Fraser Commission, and the increasing reliance on direct mail and small-dollar donations.
The Republican Party's Response to Trump
This Chapter compares the Republican Party's response to Donald Trump's criminal convictions to its response to Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal, highlighting the party's shift towards a more personalized and less institutional approach.
The Politics of Conflict
This Chapter explores the concept of the "politics of conflict" as a defining characteristic of the new right, arguing that it has become more important than ideology in shaping the Republican Party's agenda.
The McGovern-Fraser Commission and the Rise of Primaries
This Chapter examines the impact of the McGovern-Fraser Commission on the nomination process, explaining how it led to the proliferation of primaries and the weakening of party gatekeepers.
The Dangers of a Weakened Party System
This Chapter discusses the potential dangers of a weakened party system for American democracy, arguing that it has made the country more vulnerable to figures like Trump who exploit social resentment and conflict.
Keywords
Republican Party
One of the two major political parties in the United States, known for its generally conservative ideology. It has been in decline in recent years, with its internal structure and ability to act strategically weakened, making it susceptible to figures like Donald Trump.
Donald Trump
A controversial American politician who served as the 45th president of the United States. He is known for his populist rhetoric, his use of social media, and his attacks on traditional political norms. His rise to power is seen by many as a symptom of the weakening of political parties in the United States.
McGovern-Fraser Commission
A commission established in 1968 to reform the Democratic Party's nomination process. It led to the proliferation of primaries and the weakening of party gatekeepers, which has had a significant impact on American politics.
Conservative Movement
A broad political movement in the United States that advocates for limited government, free markets, and traditional values. It has had a significant influence on the Republican Party, shaping its ideology and agenda.
Direct Mail
A form of marketing that involves sending promotional materials directly to potential customers through the postal service. It has been a significant force in American politics, particularly on the right, and has been used to mobilize small-dollar donors and spread political messages.
Small-Dollar Donations
Political contributions made by individuals in small amounts. They have become increasingly important in American politics, particularly for the Republican Party, and have helped to fuel the rise of populist candidates like Donald Trump.
Politics of Conflict
A political approach that emphasizes conflict and division, often using inflammatory rhetoric and divisive tactics. It has become increasingly prevalent in American politics, particularly on the right, and has contributed to the weakening of political parties and the rise of populist figures.
New Right
A political movement that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, characterized by its emphasis on social conservatism, free markets, and anti-communism. It has had a significant impact on the Republican Party, shaping its ideology and agenda.
Political Machine
A political organization that uses patronage and other methods to control a city or region. They were once a powerful force in American politics, but have declined in recent decades.
American Melodrama
A book by Louis Chester, Godfrey Hodgson, and Bruce Page that provides a detailed account of the 1968 presidential campaign. It is considered one of the best books ever written about an American political campaign.
Q&A
How has the Republican Party changed in its response to Donald Trump's criminal convictions compared to its response to Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal?
The Republican Party's response to Trump's convictions is significantly different from its response to Nixon's Watergate scandal. In the 1970s, the party was willing to investigate and impeach its own president, but today, it is largely united in its defense of Trump. This shift reflects the party's increasing personalization and its diminished capacity to act as an institution independent of its leader.
What are the key factors that have contributed to the weakening of political parties in the United States?
The weakening of political parties in the United States is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. These include the rise of the conservative movement, which has eroded the party's internal structure and its ability to act strategically; the McGovern-Fraser Commission, which led to the proliferation of primaries and the weakening of party gatekeepers; and the increasing reliance on direct mail and small-dollar donations, which has fueled the rise of populist candidates and further weakened the party's institutional power.
What are the potential dangers of a weakened party system for American democracy?
A weakened party system poses several dangers for American democracy. It can make the country more vulnerable to figures like Trump who exploit social resentment and conflict, undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions. It can also make it more difficult for parties to act as mediating institutions between individuals and the government, leading to a more polarized and less functional political system.
What is the "politics of conflict" and how has it shaped the Republican Party?
The "politics of conflict" is a political approach that emphasizes conflict and division, often using inflammatory rhetoric and divisive tactics. It has become increasingly prevalent in the Republican Party, shaping its agenda and its response to political issues. This approach has contributed to the party's weakening and its susceptibility to figures like Trump who exploit social resentment and conflict.
What is the significance of the McGovern-Fraser Commission and its impact on the nomination process?
The McGovern-Fraser Commission was a significant turning point in American politics. It led to the proliferation of primaries and the weakening of party gatekeepers, giving more power to voters and less power to party elites. This change has had a profound impact on the nomination process, making it more open and less controlled by party insiders.
How has the rise of direct mail and small-dollar donations affected the Republican Party?
The rise of direct mail and small-dollar donations has had a significant impact on the Republican Party. It has allowed the party to mobilize a large base of small donors, often through emotional appeals and divisive rhetoric. This has helped to fuel the rise of populist candidates like Trump and has further weakened the party's institutional power.
What are the key arguments made by Daniel Schlossman and Sam Rosenfeld in their book "The Hollow Parties"?
Schlossman and Rosenfeld argue that the Republican Party's decline is a long-standing issue, rooted in decades of changes, including the rise of the conservative movement, the McGovern-Fraser Commission, and the increasing reliance on direct mail and small-dollar donations. They contend that these factors have eroded the party's internal structure and its ability to act strategically, leaving it susceptible to figures like Trump who exploit social resentment and conflict.
What is the role of media, particularly right-wing media, in shaping the Republican Party's identity and agenda?
Right-wing media has played a significant role in shaping the Republican Party's identity and agenda. It has often amplified the party's more extreme voices and has helped to create a climate of conflict and division. This has contributed to the party's weakening and its susceptibility to figures like Trump who exploit social resentment and conflict.
What are the potential solutions to the problem of weakened political parties in the United States?
There are no easy solutions to the problem of weakened political parties in the United States. However, some potential solutions include reforming the nomination process to give more power to party elites and less power to voters; strengthening the party's internal structure and its ability to act strategically; and promoting a more civil and less divisive political discourse.
Show Notes
After Donald Trump was convicted last week in his hush-money trial, Republican leaders wasted no time in rallying behind him. There was no chance the Republican Party was going to replace Trump as their nominee at this point. Trump has essentially taken over the G.O.P.; his daughter-in-law is even co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
How did the Republican Party get so weak that it could fall victim to a hostile takeover?
Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld are the authors of “The Hollow Parties: The Many Pasts and Disordered Present of American Party Politics,” which traces how both major political parties have been “hollowed out” over the decades, transforming once-powerful gatekeeping institutions into mere vessels for the ideologies of specific candidates. And they argue that this change has been perilous for our democracy.
In this conversation, we discuss how the power of the parties has been gradually chipped away; why the Republican Party became less ideological and more geared around conflict; the merits of a stronger party system; and more.
Mentioned:
“Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden” by The Ezra Klein Show
“Here’s How an Open Democratic Convention Would Work” by The Ezra Klein Show with Elaine Kamarck
Book Recommendations:
The Two Faces of American Freedom by Aziz Rana
Rainbow’s End by Steven P. Erie
An American Melodrama by Lewis Chester, Godfrey Hodgson, Bruce Page
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.
You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show’‘ was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Mary Marge Locker, Kate Sinclair and Rollin Hu. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota and Efim Shapiro. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Sonia Herrero.
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