Politics & Parties (Presented by Dr. Markie McBrayer)

7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

In the history of the United States, all presidents represented a political party, with the exception of one. Founding Father, George Washington, was elected before a party system emerged, although political parties began to form while he was in office. Washington believed that political parties would divide and destroy the United States, warning in his Farewell Address in 1796, ‘[a party system] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one party against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”   In this presentation, Dr. Markie McBrayer will discuss the party systems and the evolution of political parties over time.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Markie McBrayer is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Idaho where she teaches American politics, public policy, and statistics. Her research focuses on local and state politics and policy, particularly social policy, housing, and gentrification in the United States. Her work has appeared in Political Research Quality, Urban Affairs Review, and Policy Studies Journal.