Political parties

Question 1

what are the 3 factions within the democrats?

Answer 1

• Congressional progresses caucus: liberal beliefs, welfare support
• New Democrat coalition: supports free market, socially liberal
• Blue Dog: reduced government spending, moderate on social issues

Question 2

what are 3 factions in the republican party

Answer 2

• Freedom caucus - far right of the party
• Republican study committee - centre of the party
• Tuesday group : middle of the spectrum

Question 3

3 arguments for party decline

Answer 3

• Candidate selection: parties have lost control over presidential candidate selection because of primaries
• communication with voters: used to be through party rallies but now mainly through social media
• increased voter dealignment: increased amount of independents 40% compared to 29% in 2017

Question 4

3 arguments for party renewal

Answer 4

• partisan divisions: due to differing policies, values and priorities e.g. Republicans hard stance on immigration and democrats support for inclusivity
• Strong leadership: Leaders can reform and renew parties to maintain relevance, e.g. Clinton’s centralist reforms in the 90’s
  Nationalisation of campaigns: party coordinates and supports candidates e.g. Obamacare 2012, nationalised campaign.

Question 5

3 ways parties are organise in the US

Answer 5

• national party committee
• state committee
• National party convention for unity

Question 5

reasons for 2 parties within US

Answer 5

• FPTP electoral system limits representation of 3rd parties
• TV debates require a 15% threshold to be featured
• the parties have so many factions that there is no need for third parties
• electoral college

Question 6

evidence of 2 party system in the US

Answer 6

• 2016, only 2 members of the Senate were not republican/democrat, one was Bernie Sanders
• There has always been a republican/democrat executive since 1853
• Ross Perot failed to secure any EC votes with 19% of the vote

Question 7

reasons against 2 party system in US

Answer 7

• influence of pressure groups shape policy
• factionalism within parties: multiple competing ideologies and priorities, making them act like multiple parties

Question 8

example of two opposite factions within a party

Answer 8

• congressional progressive caucus: pushed for Biden’s Build Back Better plan, demanding strong climate action
• Blue Dog Democrats: blocked parts of Build Back Better, arguing it was too expensive and would increase inflation
• Contrast: PC wanted trillions in social spending, while BD watered it down.

Question 9

3 ways independent candidates are important

Answer 9

• Appeal to more political voters reduces partisan dealignment, e.g. Bernie Sanders’s democratic socialism
• reduces 2 party nature
• presidential candidate threat e.g. 2016 presidential election, Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, drew votes away from both major party candidates

Question 10

three ideological differences between republicans and democrats

Answer 10

• size of government, e.g. Republicans want small gov with limited intervention, Democrats want an active gov to protect
• economy, e.g. republicans want free-market and low tax, democrats want progressive tax and reduce inequality
• Social issues (abortion, LGBTQ): Republicans are more conservative by opposing abortion and protecting religion, while democrats are liberal, advocating for gender rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ protect and access to abortion

Question 11

Explain three policy differences between the republicans and Democratic parties

Answer 11

• immigration: republicans want strict immigration, e.g. build a wall. Democrats are more inclusive, e.g., the DACA policy provided temporary relief for immigrant children
• Tax: republicans want lower taxes e.g. tax cuts and Jobs Act 2017 reduced corporate tax by 14%. While Democrats favour progressive tax to reduce inequality e.g. Biden’s tax plan to increase tax on high earners
• Healthcare: Republicans oppose government run healthcare and advocate for private sector e.g. 2017 attempt to repeal Obamacare. Democrats want more gov involvement in healthcare such as Medicare for all.