Evaluate The View That The Policies Of The Republicans and Democrats Are More Similar Than They Are Different.

Question 1

Para 1 - Foreign Policy
- For: Their Policies are More Similar Than DIfferent

Answer 1

• Both parties have a commitment to funding national security and defense effectively, trying to recognise the importance of maintaining United States’ global leadership
  –(Example) - Their bipartisan support for Ukraine - where both parties acknowledge the strategic importance of supporting a democratic ally against external Russian Aggression
  – Congress passed a $95bn foreign aid package in 2024 to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwain, with strong bipartisan support

Question 2

Para 1 - Foreign Policy
- Against: Their Policies are More Different Than Similar

Answer 2

• Trump, nationalistic confrontational stance.
  –(Example): Obama strongly supported by Democrats, joined the Paris Climate Agreemenet and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran - which Trump withdrew the US from
  – Democrat Biden later rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, and trying to join JCPOA, showing party split

Question 3

Paragraph Two ➡️ Economic Policy and Government Intervention
- For: Their Policies Are More Similar Than Different

Answer 3

• Both parties have recognised the importance of gov spending and involvement to tackle economic crises, with national debt rising under both
  – (Example): Both Obama and Bush, along with majority of their parties in Congress, supported major federal go interventions and spending to tackle the 2008 financial crisis.
  – Bush, took control of 2 private mortgage companies
  – Obama, $787 billion dollar stimulus bill, passed in 2009 to bring economy out of recession

Question 4

Paragraph Two ➡️ Economic Policy and Government Intervention
- Against: Their Policies Are More Different Than Similar

Answer 4

• Democrats have advocated for a more significant role of government in the national
  economy. Government intervention is necessary to address
  market failures, reduce economic inequality, and provide essential services.
  -(Example): Democrats have advocated for the Protecting the Right to Organise (PRO) Act, which aims to strengthen labour rights and make it easier for workers to form unions and negotiate better pay and conditions
• Republican believe in the efficiency of the free market and argue minimal gov interference leads to economics growth, innovation and job creation.
  –(Example): Tax cuts - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 - significantly lowered corporate and individual tax rates to stimulate economic activity.

Question 5

Paragraph Three ➡️ Social Attitudes and Democracy
- Against: Their Policies Are More Different Than Similar

Answer 5

• The Republican party is strongly influenced by Christianity and traditional values which lead for very conservative perspectives on social and moral issues
  – (Example): more restrictive abortion laws - This stance is reflected in their support to overturn Roe v Wade, republic states such as texas, oklahoma have near bans on abortion
• Historically opposing same-sex marriages - traditional marriage and gender roles
• Democrat party - dfefenders of Roe V Wade
  –(Example): Obamas Affordable Care Act, provided contraceptive assistance
  – Obamas administration decision to stop defending the defense of Marriage Act in court, leading to Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015

Question 6

Paragraph Three ➡️ Social Attitudes and Democracy
- For: Their Policies Are More Similar Than Different

Answer 6

• Both parties opposing China’s rise thus alignment in trade policy, more protectionist stance,