Key ideas and principles of Rs and Ds Flashcards
Why were the parties not very national phenemona for much of the 19th and 20th centuries?
They were much more evident on the state and local stage. With little ideological cohesion between the different state organisations of the same party, being an R or a D meant little outside of the presidential election cycle
What has been the traditional view on the ideological difference between them?
That there was very little different
What phrase did Prof Denis Brogan use to characterise this in 1954?
Said that they are like ‘two bottles with different labels, both empty’
When did polarisation begin?
With the presidency of Reagan and this has continued since
Describe the state of partisanship
Very little ideological middle ground and it takes major crises for them to cooperate, and such detentes do not last long
What two philosophies will R principles be a combination of?
Neo liberalism and neo conservativism
How do they see the role of the state
While acknowledging the need for some state intervention in society and the economy, they invisage a smaller role for the state than the Ds
How does its attitude to social and moral problems compare to the D party?
It is more traditional and less liberal
What philosophy will their attitudes to social and moral problems be influence by?
Neo conservativism
What is neo conservativism in simple terms?
A more modern version of traditional conservativism
Rs wished to preserve an organic society from social fragmentation. What is an organic society?
View associated with UK and US conservatives. Sees society as a living organism that emerges and evolves over time. Emphasis on gradual change and what works in society
Why were they uneasy with societal changes in the 1960s?
Uneasy with the social and sexual revolution which they feel has ushered an era of moral relativism and has led to a fragmented society
How does Christianity influence the moral viewpoint of many Rs?
They are absolutists
Rs are against ‘permissiveness’. What kind of things does this mean they will be opposed to?
Abortion, gay marriage and recreational drug use
By what means do Rs want to uphold traditional values?
Through a tough stance on law and order and supporting institutions such as the nuclear family
On what two grounds do they oppose abortion?
Moral and religious
How did Trump contribute to this debate?
He was the first sitting president to attend an anti abortion rally in Jan 2020
What did he say to justify his anti abortion stance?
Every life brings love into the world. Every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting
What does Senator Rand Paul argue?
That full personhood should be given to all embryos and feautuses. This would effectively make all abortions illegal
What did the party officially state in 2016 to affirm its position on abortion?
We assert the sanctity of life and affirm that the unborn child has a right to life which cannot be infringed upon
What anti abortion executive order did Reagan pass in 1984 that was then reinstated by Bush and Trump?
The Mexico City Policy
What did the Mexico City Policy do?
Mandated that non governmental organisations receiving US global assistance cannot provide abortion services, discuss abortion options with patients or advocate for a liberalisation of abortion laws
What ideology makes Rs strong supporters of the 2nd amendment and rigorous law and order
Neo conservativism
What did the 2016 R Platform state in 2016 to affirm its tough stance on law and order?
We support mandatory prison sentences for gng crimes, violence or sexual offences against children, repeat drug dealers, rape, robbery and murder