Political Science ETDs

Publication Date

5-16-1969

Abstract

The primary purpose of this thesis was to analyze those variables which effect the way in which a political party organizes at the local level. The research was structured in such a way as to ascertain what the structure and function of local party organization was perceived to be by local party officials and candidates for public office. Separate, open-end interview schedules were constructed for all precinct and county, Democratic and Republican party officials as well as for candidates for county and legislative office from Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Completed interviews based on the 1966 election campaign and election with 74 per cent of the county's local party officials and 71 per cent of the candidates provided the raw data for this research. Analysis of the data indicated that the primary function of local party organization is the election of its candidates to public office. The activities of the party officials during campaigns and between elections centered around electioneering. Other functions such as promulgating party ideology, formulating party policy, acting as a brokerage between the voters and the officials were not perceived as primary and were subordinated with deference to the ''office goal.” Local party organization in Bernalillo County was characterized by a structure which necessarily allowed for the existence of open recruitment and access to party leadership and membership. The precinct and county leaders 0f both parties were representative of the social milieu in Bernalillo County. The data for Bernalillo County also demonstrated that the socio-economic backgrounds of its precinct leaders was congruent with those of their constituencies. As opposed to findings in other areas, data for Bernalillo County indicated that the motivation for party activity and running for party office was purposive rather than material or solidary. The structure of local party organization was characterized by decentralized control and the presence of multi-party elites. In conclusion, the data gathered on local party organization in Bernalillo County, New Mexico supported current pluralistic theories of local party organization and structure.

Degree Name

Political Science

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Political Science

First Committee Member (Chair)

Tommie Phillip Wolf

Second Committee Member

Robert J. Sickels

Third Committee Member

Harry P. Strumpf

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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