Evaluate the view that the differences between the two main parties are more significant that the differences between them Flashcards
intro
Given rise in political polarisation and partisanship, it is not surprising that there are some very obvious divisions between the two main parties. However, it has been weakly argued that the divisions within the parties are actually more significant than those between, given differences over the economy, and social, moral and welfare issues. However, this is weak.
para 1 theme
economy
para 2 theme
social and moral issues
para 3 theme
welfare and social justice
para 1 economy
- Views stem back to the partisan divide between limited government and expansive government, followed by the Republicans and the Democrats respectively.
- Democrats, as outlined in their 2020 party platform, is to achieve an increase of the federal minimum wage to $15, increased corporation tax (to target predatory businesses) as banking regulations to avoid risky practices by financial institutions. This is a direct opposite of the Republicans, who opposed the increase in the minimum wage, arguing that ‘government cannot create prosperity’. Furthermore, Republicans have obvious bias to big business = against increased corporation tax.
Clear divisions are shown with Trump tax cuts, which were incredibly unpopular with the Democrats as they “benefitted the wealthiest Americans”
- Democrats, as outlined in their 2020 party platform, is to achieve an increase of the federal minimum wage to $15, increased corporation tax (to target predatory businesses) as banking regulations to avoid risky practices by financial institutions. This is a direct opposite of the Republicans, who opposed the increase in the minimum wage, arguing that ‘government cannot create prosperity’. Furthermore, Republicans have obvious bias to big business = against increased corporation tax.
para 1 however
- There are inner party divisions over economic policy.
- Within the democrats, there are divisions over the TPP, a trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the US. Progressives in the party, such as those like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, argued that it would only benefit big business and not poor families. Moderates argue that the TPP was beneficial as it increased the ability of the US to sell goods abroad. In fact, these moderates also agreed to Trump’s $1 trillion spend on infrastructure, which was opposed in the left-wing factions in the party.
Republicans also have economic disputes. The most moderate faction of the party, (R.I.N.Os), have shown support for a lot of democrat economic policy, the most high profile being Susan Collins. She voted in favour of the bipartisan budget act of may 2017, with it involving large government expenditure. This drew criticism from the Libertarian faction in the party who oppose big government spending. This policy of fiscal conservatism is a far cry from the policies of the R.I.N.Os, with some of the most extreme of these, individuals like Rand Paul, arguing that there should be no welfare expenditure.
- Within the democrats, there are divisions over the TPP, a trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the US. Progressives in the party, such as those like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, argued that it would only benefit big business and not poor families. Moderates argue that the TPP was beneficial as it increased the ability of the US to sell goods abroad. In fact, these moderates also agreed to Trump’s $1 trillion spend on infrastructure, which was opposed in the left-wing factions in the party.
para 1 rebuttal
This argument is weak as these factions disagree only on particular details rather than entire policies. The majority of the Republicans are fiscally Conservative and the majority of the Democrats support an expansionary economic policy. This is in comparison to the stark differences between the parties mentioned previously
para 2 social and moral issues
- Given the democrats obvious ideological liberalism, and the Republicans’ Conservativism it is not surprising that they have disagreements.
- One of the most key areas of disputes is abortion and minority rights. In terms of abortion, the Democrats believe “unequivocally that every woman should have access to quality reproductive healthcare services, including safe and legal abortion”. This is in stark contrast to the Republican claim that they “assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life”. They argue that abortion should be illegal in all cases and the Constitution should be amended to ban the procedure.
- A similar division is found over minority rights. They argue that they “will fight for comprehensive non-discrimination protection for all LGBTQ+ Americans”, supporting the decision made in Obergefell v Hodges. The Republicans oppose this decision, saying how “traditional marriage between 1 man and 1 woman is the foundation for a free society”.
Recent differences come over the issue of ethnic minority rights, given the killing of George Floyd and the BLM movement. The Democrats asserted that “Black Lives matter and there is no place for racism in our country”. Donald Trump on the other hand argued that there were “bad people on both sides” at the unite the right rally
para 2 however
- Within the Republicans, the Libertarian faction are pro-choice and support gay marriage from the viewpoint of no government interference and total freedom. R.I.N.Os like Susan Collins also agree with this, although this is because it is something the genuinely believes in. This is a far cry from the traditional social conservatives like Red Cruz who are pro-life and against gay marriage.
Within the Democrats, although a large proportion of the party are pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ+ rights, there can be found some individuals, labelled Blue Dogs who share the socially conservative view. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia is one of these, and he has been a strong advocate of pro-life and opposes gay marriage. This is certainly far removed from the party that under Barrack Obama legalised gay marriage
para 2 rebuttal
These Blue Dogs and R.I.N.Os make up a very small minority of the party. In fact, both Manchin and Collins have to hold these views due to where they have been elected from, West Virginia and Maine respectively. Manchin comes from a Republican and religious state so must hold according views whilst Susan Collins came from the progressive Maine and so must posses progress views
para 3 welfare and social justice
Welfare has long been an area of contention between the two parties, especially the issue of healthcare. The democrats were the ones who introduced the ACA, something Biden is looking to strengthen under Biden’s presidency. Through the ACA, the democrats have looked to reverse “decades of under investment into America’s public health infrastructure”. Republicans were incredibly critical of the ACA, with it going against their belief in limited government, with Donald Trump calling for the “repeal and replace” of Obamacare. The Republicans have adhered to the mantra of “limited government”, supporting self-help and personal responsibility. This means they directly oppose the Democrat policy of universal healthcare, supporting private insurance schemes for healthcare
para 3 however
- Within the democrats, there are certainly divisions over the extent of government intervention. When it comes to healthcare, progressives like Elizabeth Warren support Medicare for all, having it as a full government funded provision which would in turn lead to a dramatic reduction in the role of private insurance companies. The more moderate Joe Biden would argue that this is not what is necessary and that an expansion of the ACA is more suitable. Furthermore, moderates like Warren also supported increased taxes to support gov intervention, an idea which had been directly opposed by both the New Democrat Coalition and the Conservative Blue Dog Factions.
Within the republicans, one of Trump’s policies was the repeal and replace the ACA. Although this gained support form the fiscally conservative wing of the party, it was actually opposed by the R.I.N.Os, like Susan Collins, who didn’t vote in favour of Trump’s attempted legislation
para 3 rebuttal
Inner party differences are over the extent of government intervention (how limited or expansionary it should be for the Republicans and Democrats respectively). The inner party differences however are in complete opposition to one another and therefore are more significant
