3.2.1.6 Political parties Flashcards
History of the democrats
- 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
Policies of the democrat party
- 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
history of the republican party
- 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
republican party policies
- restore the american dream
- a rebirth of constitutional government
- reform of government
- Great American Families, education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
- America Resurgent.
key principles of the republican party
- 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.
key principles of democrat party
- Progressive attitude on social and moral issues
- Greater governmental intervention in the national economy
- Government provision of social welfare
Factions of the democrat party
- Blue dog
- New Democrat
- Congressional Progressive
factions of the republican party
- Tuesday group
- Republican study
- Freedom caucus
Blue-Dog coalition
supports ‘fiscal responsibility’ + today adopts a more neutral line on social issues e.g. gun-control + gay rights
New democrat coalition
describe themselves as committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation + fiscally responsible policies
Congressional progressive caucus
policy stances largely align with the pressure group justice democrats, promoting economic justice + security for all + advancing environmental protection + energy independence
Tuesday group
members stand for a pragmatic approach to government + committed to solution-orientated approach
Republican study committee
stands for limited government, high defence spending, preserving traditional values + 2nd amendment + balancing federal budget
freedom caucus
mixture of social conservatism in areas e.g. abortion + LGBTQ+ rights, small government, libertarianism
Two party system in USA
- 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.
why does the USA have a two party system
- 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.
1960s US parties
- 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.
Bush v Gore 2000 - impact of thirds parties
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.
third parties within the US
- Green party.
- Libertarian party.
- Reform party in past under Perot.
third party stats
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.
reasons for party renewal
- 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.
Party decline
- 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.
