3.2.1.6 Political parties

Question 1

History of the democrats

Answer 1

• In the 1850s and 60s they were the party of slavery
• post-civil war the party of segregation.
• once known as the party of the common man - standing for individual rights and state sovereignty and opposed banks and high tariffs.
• typically working class, immigrant groups and slave owners voted for them
• passed historically progressive bills such as the 1964 civil rights act

Question 2

Policies of the democrat party

Answer 2

• protecting Americans and recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic
• building a stronger and fairer economy
• achieveing universal, affordable and good quality healthcare
• reforming the criminal justice system
• creating a 21st century immigration system

Question 3

history of the republican party

Answer 3

• founded in 1854, by anti-slavery activists and became the main opposing force to the Democratic Party.
• First president Abraham Lincoln, elected on an anti-slavery platfrom

Question 4

republican party policies

Answer 4

• restore the american dream
• a rebirth of constitutional government
• reform of government
• Great American Families, education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
• America Resurgent.

Question 5

key principles of the republican party

Answer 5

• Conservative attitude on social and moral issues.
• More restricted governmental intervention in the national economy while protecting American trade and jobs.
• Acceptance of social welfare but a preference for personal responsibility.

Question 6

key principles of democrat party

Answer 6

• Progressive attitude on social and moral issues
• Greater governmental intervention in the national economy
• Government provision of social welfare

Question 7

Factions of the democrat party

Answer 7

• Blue dog
• New Democrat
• Congressional Progressive

Question 8

factions of the republican party

Answer 8

• Tuesday group
• Republican study
• Freedom caucus

Question 9

Blue-Dog coalition

Answer 9

supports ‘fiscal responsibility’ + today adopts a more neutral line on social issues e.g. gun-control + gay rights

Question 10

New democrat coalition

Answer 10

describe themselves as committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation + fiscally responsible policies

Question 11

Congressional progressive caucus

Answer 11

policy stances largely align with the pressure group justice democrats, promoting economic justice + security for all + advancing environmental protection + energy independence

Question 12

Tuesday group

Answer 12

members stand for a pragmatic approach to government + committed to solution-orientated approach

Question 13

Republican study committee

Answer 13

stands for limited government, high defence spending, preserving traditional values + 2nd amendment + balancing federal budget

Question 14

freedom caucus

Answer 14

mixture of social conservatism in areas e.g. abortion + LGBTQ+ rights, small government, libertarianism

Question 15

Two party system in USA

Answer 15

• President always comes from republican or democrats.
• Only 1 occasion in which an independent has been invited to presidential debate – Ross Perot 1992, as the reform party got 19%.
• House is either represented by republican or democrat. Senators and congressional members are typically endorsed by the party – however Bernie sanders is an independent, currently 3 independents in Senate.
• State governors are all republican or democrat.
• Electoral college votes favour republican or democrats over.
• Popular vote goes to either democrats or republican.

Question 16

why does the USA have a two party system

Answer 16

• More extreme views.
• Larger population.
• Stronger party loyalty.
• FPTP – overriding reason.
• Parties must encompass whole spectrum – big tent parties.
• Primary election – more ideologically extreme voter rights as well as swing voters so they must be broad in view leaving little room for other parties.

Question 17

1960s US parties

Answer 17

• In some states there is a one-party system – Wyoming to republican. Whereas California and New York are more likely to be democrats. However, both have seen republican governor such as Arnold Schwarzenegger 2003-2011.
• Republicans are the more cohesive party than democrats under MAGA and Trump, therefore is less believable that they are in a 50-party system.

Question 18

Bush v Gore 2000 - impact of thirds parties

Answer 18

Bush won by 537 votes in Florida, Green party had 1000 votes and would have rather of had Al Gore as president. Therefore, in this election there would have been a third party that had a significant impact.

Question 19

third parties within the US

Answer 19

• Green party.
• Libertarian party.
• Reform party in past under Perot.

Question 20

third party stats

Answer 20

In 2016, Gary Johnson (Libertarian) got 3.27% of the vote, Jill Stein (Green) got 1.06%. the total was 6% combined.
Perot took votes from George Bush Snr in 1992 meaning Clinton won.

Question 21

reasons for party renewal

Answer 21

• Hunt commission
• Leadership PACs on campaign finance.
• Procedural changes in congress.
• Nationalisation of elections – republic contract with USA
• Uniting the party after primaries
• House of representatives are more likely vote with the party – more like house of commons and the whips.
• People are more ideologically aligned today compared to the 80s – less split-ticket voting.
• Presidents are all from parties.

Question 22

Party decline

Answer 22

• Decentralisation of power within parties, such as each level of organisation running their own platform.
• Conflict between state and national parties.
• Hill committees.
• Parties don’t get to choose the candidate for presidential election.
• Restrictions in campaign finance and change from money to parties to the candidate – self funding.
• Rise of political consultants.
• Methods of communication is now under social media such as twitter.
• Movements such as Tea Party for the Republicans.