Editing Party system (section)

=== United States ===
{{main|Political parties in the United States}}
The concept of the party system was introduced by English scholar [[James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce|James Bryce]] in ''American Commonwealth'' (1888).

''American Party Systems'' was a major textbook by [[Charles Merriam]] in 1920s. In 1967 the most important single breakthrough appeared, ''The American Party Systems. Stages of Political Development'', edited by William Nisbet Chambers and [[Walter Dean Burnham]]. It brought together historians and political scientists who agreed on a common framework and numbering system. Thus Chambers published ''The First Party System'' in 1972.  Burnham published numerous articles and books.
Closely related is the concept of ''critical elections'' (introduced by [[V. O. Key]] in 1955), and [[political realignments]]. Realigning elections involve major changes to the political system, regarding the coalition of voters, the rules of the game, finance and publicity, party organization, and party leadership.

A political science college textbook explains:
:"Scholars generally agree that realignment theory identifies five distinct party systems with the following approximate dates and major parties: 1. 1796–1816, First Party System: Jeffersonian Republicans and Federalists; 2. 1840–1856, Second Party System: Democrats and Whigs;  3. 1860–1896, Third Party System: Republicans and Democrats; 4. 1896–1932, Fourth Party System: Republicans and Democrats; 5. 1932–, Fifth Party System: Democrats and Republicans."<ref>Robert C. Benedict, Matthew J. Burbank and Ronald J. Hrebenar, ''Political Parties, Interest Groups and Political Campaigns.'' Westview Press. 1999. p. 11. {{ISBN?}}</ref>

There have been at least six different party systems throughout the history of the United States:<ref name="auto3">Marjorie Randon Hershey, ''Party Politics in America'' (12th ed. 2007) pp. 119–123</ref>

[[First Party System]]: This system can be considered to have developed as a result of the factions in the [[George Washington]] administration. The two factions were [[Alexander Hamilton]] and the [[Federalists]] and [[Thomas Jefferson]] and the [[Democratic-Republican Party]]. The Federalists argued for a strong national government with a national bank and a strong economic and industry system. The Democratic-Republicans argued for a limited government, with a greater emphasis on farmers and states' rights. After the 1800 presidential election, the Democratic-Republicans gained major dominance for the next sixty years, and the Federalists slowly died off.

[[Second Party System]]: This system developed as a result of the one party rule of the Democratic-Republicans not being able to contain some of the most pressing issues of the time, namely slavery.  Out of this system came the [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] and [[Henry Clay]]'s [[American System (economic plan)|American System]]. Wealthier people tended to support the Whigs, and the poorer tended to support the Democrats. During the Jacksonian era, his Democratic Party evolved from Democratic-Republicans. The Whig party began to break apart into factions, mainly over the issue of slavery. This period lasted until 1860.

[[Third Party System]]: Beginning around the time of the start of the Civil War, this system was defined by bitter conflict and striking party differences and coalitions. These coalitions were most evidently defined by geography. The South was dominated by the Democrats who opposed the ending of slavery, and the North, with the exception of some major political machines, was dominated by the Republicans, who supported ending slavery. This era was a time of extreme industrial and economic expansion. The Third Party System lasted until 1896.

[[Fourth Party System]]: This era was defined by Progressivism and immigration, as well as the political aftermath of the [[American Civil War]]. Northeastern business supported the Republicans while the South and West supported the Democrats. Immigrant groups were courted by both parties. The Fourth Party System came to an end around 1932.<ref>Hershey, Marjorie Randon. ''Party Politics in America'', 14th ed. 2011: Longman Classics in Political Science. pp. 120–121</ref>

[[Fifth Party System]]: This system was defined by the creation of the [[New Deal Coalition]] by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in response to the [[Great Depression]]. This coalition supporting new social welfare programs brought together many under-privileged, working class, and minority groups including unions, Catholics, and Jews. It also attracted African-Americans, who had previously largely supported the Republican Party due to Lincoln's freeing of the slaves. This era lasted approximately until early-mid 1970s.<ref>Hershey, Marjorie Randon. ''Party Politics in America'' 14th ed. 2011: Longman Classics in Political Science. p. 121 {{ISBN?}}</ref>

[[Sixth Party System]]: The transition to this system appears to have begun with the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]] with the Democrats subsequently losing their long dominance of the South in the late 1960s, with the [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] adopting the [[southern strategy]] leading to Republican dominance as evidenced by election results.<ref name="auto3"/>