5.2 - Political Parties Flashcards
1
Q
Political parties - Values of Dems - Immigration
A
- Legal immigration is positive as diversity is integral to US society
- Immigrants tend to vote Dem
- Dems very supportive of a pathway for illegal immigrants to gain citizenship (EG Dreamer Act under Obama)
- Supportive of idea that anyone can come to the US and start a new life
2
Q
Political parties - Values of Dems - National Security
A
- Dems generally oppose high levels of defence spending
- Typically believe in the use of diplomacy and minimal use of armed forces unless absolutely necessary
- Dems have been very vocal about not treating all people as terrorists
3
Q
Political parties - Values of Dems - The economy
A
- Dems believe in positive freedom - empowering the roles of the state within the economy
- Believe the economy is rigged against working and middle class families
- Believe in Big Gob (gov intervention)
- Favour increase in taxation of the rich and support the Buffet Rule (billionaire investment)
- Supports the creation of a bigger welfare system and a safety net to stop people falling into poverty
- Anti trickle-down economics
4
Q
Political parties - Values of Dems - Civil rights, voting, and gay rights
A
- Informed by modern liberalism and equality of opportunity for everyone
- Recently used terms such as progressive which can be understood as advocating change and reform EG Civil Rights Act 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965
- Sought an end to legal segregation and give black Americans full civil and political rights
5
Q
Political parties - Values of Dems - Healthcare
A
- Medicare for all - believe that healthcare is a right not a privilege - therefore have been fighting to secure universal healthcare
- 2010 Affordable Care Act - led to over 20 million American gaining healthcare coverage - the rate of uninsured Americans has almost halved
- Bipartisan congress passed the 2020 CARES Act under Trump
- Pro choice in terms of abortion
6
Q
Political parties - Values of Dems - The environment
A
- Dems are super strict on env controls and believe climate change poses a real threat to economy, national security, and children’s health and future
- The Green New Deal is a framework launched in Congress by AOC for mobilising the federal gov to create millions of family-sustaining union jobs and fight the climate crisis at the same time
- Dems want to reduce dependence on foreign oil
- Dems want to use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop energy alternatives, and investing in energy and independent technology
7
Q
Political parties - Values of Reps - Immigration
A
- Republicans place particular importance on border security and deportation of illegal immigrants
- 91% of Republicans believe border security should be a top priority
- Rep immigration policies include Trump’s border wall
- Half of Reps (47%) say the US should decrease the amount of immigrants coming in legally
8
Q
Political parties - Values of Reps - National security
A
- Very strong national defence with strong domestic and overseas presence
- Only 4 Senators and 3 House Reps opposed the Vietnam War in the 60s
- Strong non-interventionist wing of the Party called American First
- 61% of Reps supported US troops in Iraq in 2018 - down from 89% in 2003
- Typically support a strong national security system
9
Q
Political parties - Values of Reps - The economy
A
- Reps believe that the gov should not be involved in the economy as a whole
- Believe free market enterprises are central to the US - EG Reagan who promoted the idea of trickle down economic which promotes low taxes and powerful businesses
- Reps also favour keeping inflation in check as a means of controlling the economy as opposed to employment - monetarism
10
Q
Political parties - Values of Reps - Tradition
A
- Reps wish to preserve the US’ organic society from social fragmentation
- Uneasy with the social and sexual revolution that began in the 1960s and feel as though this has fragmented society
- Most Reps are heavily influenced by Christianity and believe there are clear rights and wrongs
- Tend to oppose abortion, gay marriage and recreation drug use
11
Q
Political parties - Values of Reps - Healthcare
A
- Reps believe in a patient centred healthcare system
- System based on free markets and fostering competition - believe that the free market will regulate itself to bring prices down
- Believe a healthcare system run by gov will reduce efficiency and the standards of care and increase waiting lists
- Oppose the Affordable Care Act EG California v Texas 2020
12
Q
Political parties - Values of Reps - Guns
A
- Reps view gun ownership as highly integral to the functioning of the US and society due to their belief that the gov needs a check on its power
- Believe that the main check on the Constitution would be an armed population
- Very supportive of the rights of individuals and believe that these rights trump the rights of the group
- GOP receives large donations from the NRA - %12.2 million across 145 Congressional races in 2020
- 44% of Americans own a firearm
13
Q
Democratic Factions - What are the three democratic factions?
A
- Liberals/progressives
- Moderates
- Conservatives
14
Q
Democratic Factions - Liberals/progressives - Stance on justice, death penalty, LGBTQ+ rights, tuition fees, environment, healthcare, which caucus, key names?
A
- Social and racial justice, opposing the death penalty, pro LGBTQ+ rights, free college education, pro environmental deals (green new deal), medicare for all
- Associated with the Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Key names - Bernie Sanders, AOC (102 members)
15
Q
Democratic Factions - Moderates - Stance on healthcare, minority rights, reform of police, affordable college, tax reform, climate change, and immigration, which caucus, key names?
A
- “Public option” for healthcare IE creation of a gov run health agency to compete with private insurers (EG NHS)
- Pro minority rights but more cautious about wholesale reform of the police, making college more affordable, tax reform, reducing climate change, humane immigration
- Associated with the New Democrats Coalition Caucus (94 members)
- Key names - Joe Biden and the Clintons
