Parties Flashcards
1
Q
3 Key values of the Democratic party
A
- Higher taxes on wealthiest are acceptable to fund social welfare programmes. 2020 tax policy pledged to take action against Trump’s tax cuts. This saw $1.9 trillion in the tax cuts jobs act 2017 favouring the top richest not poorest families.
- Gun control measures need to be tightened up and the 2nd amendment is not compatible with a modern state. The protecting our kids act passed in May 2022 and sponsored by Jerrold Nadler, a democrat. This would lead to an age restriction of 21 for certain weapons.
- Large government programmes needed to bring the poorest out of poverty. This is exemplified in the 2021 Build Back Better Bill which fulfilled all of Biden’s platform pledges. This would create 1.5 million jobs every year for 10 years
2
Q
3 Key values of the Republican party
A
- The Republicans are supportive of tax cuts on the wealthiest. For instance in the 2017 tax cuts and jobs act, $1.9 trillion would trickle down to the poorest instead of making government programmes which would directly benefit the poorest in America.
- The 2nd amendment should be upheld in practice and in principle. The NRA has close ties with the party despite Trump going against them in March 2019 and wanting stricter checks, $16 million was given to him in 2020 from the NRA.
- Big government programmes are not necessary and often wasteful as seen with the 212 house Republicans who blocked the Build Back Better Bill in 2021. This could also link to a strong emphasis on tradition such as the 10th and 1st amendment with individuality
3
Q
The organisation of US political parties
leadership
3
A
- Unlike in the UK where there is one clear identifiable leader, the US party leadership reflects both separation of powers and federalism, two strong principles of the constitution.
- The president, although sets the tone, has a lack of power over members of his own party in Congress.
- Biden is the president but Hakeem Jefferies is the house and Chuck Schumer the Senate, the president has no direct powers over the party’s legislators. This means there is no whipping like in the UK system.
4
Q
The organisation of US political parties
weak central structure
3
A
- State-based parties and weak central structures, the state parties have a degree of independence. In Texas, local republicans run on a ticket with the Harris county GOP.
- They have an important role of organising primaries such as having open and closed primaries.
- There is some centralisation however such as with national committees such as the DNC, who organise the conventions.
5
Q
Significant changes in US parties over the last 50 years in terms of geography.
A
Geography: The south has become solidly Republican whereas the east and west coasts have become solidly democrat.
- 1976 was the last time the Democrats comprehensively won the south. They won 26 EC votes in Texas whereas the Republicans won 45 EC votes in California.
- However in 2020, Republicans won the south comfortably with 38 EC votes in Texas and the Democrats comfortably won the west comfortably such as 55 EC votes in California.
- places like the ‘rust belt’ and the deep south
6
Q
Reasons why third parties and independents are significant
A
- In certain close elections, they can influence the final outcome of the election and become the spoiler between the two main candidates. For instance in Florida in 2000, Bush won by 537 votes and the Greens won 97,488 votes in that state. If the green party candidate, Ralph Nader had not stood, the likelihood is that his votes would have gone to second place Gore and he would have won.
- Congressional elections can occasionally be directly influenced by the presence of them. This was true in 2018 for Maine second district, where the Republican winner in the first round failed to win the seat when the eliminated independence second preference votes were redistributed which shows congressional district method can make them significant.
- They can influence policies of the two major parties that prove more attractive to voters. Green New Deal found favour with many progressive Democrats in the election in 2020 which could lead to the success in the election.
7
Q
Reasons why third parties and independents are not significant.
A
- In most presidential elections, they fail to make an impact. 1968, was the last time any of them won a significant amount of EC votes with Wallace winning 46. This shows a long period of time when they have lacked significance and 1976 with then independent candidate, Reagan when they won any at all.
- Maine and Nebraska are the only states which use anything other than FPTP using the Congressional district method. This explains why third parties win many votes but cannot win EC votes. For instance, Joe Jorgensen won 1.18% of the vote and should have won between 6-7 EC votes but won 0.
- They lack influence on TV such as with debates. For instance, Green party candidate Jill Stein’s arrest at the 2012 TV debate.
8
Q
party factions
Blue Dog Democrats
party, beliefs, political spectrum, membership and where it does best
A
- democrats
- support fiscal responsibility and take a more neutral line on social issues such as gun control
- centre left
- Had 54 members in 2009 when it hit its peak
- Does best in Democratic leaning districts
9
Q
Party factions
New democrats
party, beliefs, political spectrum, membership and where it does best
A
- Democrats
-They are pro-economic growth, pro-innovation and fiscally responsible policies. - They are left-centre left.
- They are the largest caucus in terms of membership. There are 97 representatives in the house.
- Their members come from a wide range of states including 14 from California, 7 from Texas and 3 in Florida.
10
Q
Party Factions
The progressives
party, beliefs, political spectrum, membership and where it does best
A
- Democrats
- Promoting economic justice and security for all and advancing environmental protection. They have proposed the Medicare for all act.
- They are far left.
- 1 in the senate, Bernie Sanders and 99 in the house.
- Members come from solid blue districts like CA-28 which has not been won by the republicans since 2000.
11
Q
Party Factions
Republican governance group / Tuesday group
party, beliefs, political spectrum, membership and where it does best
A
- Republican
- They want a pragmatic, bi-partisan approach to government.
- They are centre-right (similar to the blue dog coalition).
- Today, they have 84 members, 42 in each house
- tend to do well in swing districts and states such as Juan Ciscomani in AZ-6.
12
Q
Party Factions
Republican study committee
party, beliefs, political spectrum, membership and where it does best
A
- Republican
- it stands for limited government, high defence spending, preserving traditional values and the second amendment.
- Largest caucus in the house in 2020 with 75% of house republicans being a member. 173 in both chambers.
- 22/25 congressional districts in Texas held by republicans are part of this caucus.
13
Q
Party Factions
Freedom Caucus
party, beliefs, political spectrum, membership and where it does best
A
- Republican
- 41 members including chair, Andy Briggs.
- They believe in a mixture of social conservatism, economic freedom and small government.
- For instance, in March 2020 Briggs and another republican voted against a $8.3 billion emergency COVID measure which enabled vaccine research.
- do the best in very red states and districts
14
Q
Reasons why US parties are in decline.
2
A
- Party primaries just stoke party divisions not party unity. There was a bitter rivalry between Trump and Hailey (before she dropped out) in 2024.
- There is a main focus on the individual in campaigns rather then the party policies
15
Q
Reasons why US parties are in renewal
3
A
- Parties have become more polarised and the divisions have revitalised the parties eg trumo vs biden
- Split ticket districts have declined substantially in recent years from 43.7% in 1984 to bellow 3.7% in 2020 which shows party ideas are still important.
- Voter turnout increased by 6.5 percentage points in 2020 over 2016. This shows that people are not disenchanted with the parties.
16
Q
What are the roles of the DNC and RNC?
A
To set out campaign plans, get and sort out funding and organise nominating convention.
17
Q
Why are independents and third parties so weak?
Electoral systems/electoral college
4
A
- overwhelmingly two-party political system. In 2024, there were no independents in the House
- The electoral system is majoritarian (Ross Perot Presidential campaign - 19% of all votes 1992 but only 19 of the 538 electors when a 270 majority is needed)
- Use of primaries by the parties mean that all candidates have to have a broad appeal to get nominated in the first place. Means that it is difficult for third party candidates to find their own support groups. eg democrats green policies under biden
- Ballot access - Some states have straight ticket voting (one box that selects all chosen candidates) eg 2016 Jill Stein was on ballot in only 44 states.
18
Q
Why are independents and third parties so weak?
Culture of party systems
2
A
- People understand the Democrats and Republicans and they have some idea of what party labels mean. Voters are unsure of or do not understand what third party candidates are campaigning for. eg 2016 70% voters identified with one party or other.
- main parties can ‘steal’ their policies as they are such broad churches. E.g. Perot’s campaign on the federal budget deficit was stolen by the Democrats and Republicans 1992.
19
Q
Why are independents and third parties so weak?
Finance
A
- Financing campaigns is expensive,2012 Presidential election $6bn - The main parties have established organisations for their fundraising - Third parties don’t! E.g. John Anderson spent $1m just getting on the ballot in 1980
- Electoral finance laws favour the main parties - Can only get partial funding if achieve 5% of the vote
- the cost of the electoral college across a sizeable nation often prohibit independents and third parties from getting onto the ballot (Jill Stein, Green Party Could not afford 2020)
20
Q
How important are third parties in US politics?
IMPORTANT
3
A
- Ross Perot won 19% of the vote in 1992 as a third party candidate and contributed to President Bush’s defeat.
- The impact of Ralph Nader and the Green Party on the 2000 result was clear, as Bush won Florida and consequently the presidency by 537 votes, and Ralph Nader won 97,421 in the state.
- Third parties often lose elections but win influence by changing the policies of one (or both) of the major political parties. Ross Perot’s ‘balanced budget’ proposal being one such example.
21
Q
How important are third parties in US politics?
NOT IMPORTANT
3
A
- The two major parties dominate presidential elections. All presidents since 1853 have been Democrats or Republicans.
- The two major parties overwhelmingly control the Congress, with almost all representatives and senators being Democrats or Republicans.
- The two major parties are always able to co-opt the policies of successful third parties and thus ensure their longevity and survival, e.g. the Republican Party was not taken over entirely by the Tea Party movement.
