US Democracy and Participation - Topic 5.2.1

Question 1

What are the ideological principles of the Democratic party?

Answer 1

Generally liberal, believing in progressive rights and some level of government intervention in both social and economic policy

• Never stop building a more perfect union
• “Out of many, we are one”
• Liberty and equality for all
• Government intervention to ensure equality for all, socially and economically
• Being strong enough to defend the nation while trying to strive for peace

Question 2

What are the general policies that the Democrats follow?

Answer 2

• Support women’s rights and the right to choose an abortion
• Support same-sex marriage
• Support social welfare
• Support reform for immigration
• Support pro-environmental policy
• Support gun control
• Support larger government, even if that occasionally encroaches on states’ rights
• Support access to free, or debt-free, education
• Support the abolition of the death penalty
• Support increasing taxes on the rich
• Support raising the minimum wage
• Support reversing the over-financialisation of the economy

Question 3

What are the ideological principles of the Republican Party?

Answer 3

Generally conservative, believing in individual rights and a limited role for the government in the economy and social policy, although a larger role in homeland security

• American exceptionalism
• The rights of the individual, ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’
• An originalist interpretation of the Constitution
• Limited government, separation of powers and federalism
• ‘Political freedom and economic freedom are indivisible’
• Being strong enough to defend the nation while seeking peace

Question 4

What are the general policies of the Republicans?

Answer 4

• Support restrictions of provision of and funding for abortion
• Oppose same-sex marriage
• Support stricter immigration policy
• Pro-business policy
• Support gun rights
• Support smaller government to allow greater rights of individual states
• Support state- and parent-run education
• Prefer tax cuts over the provision of social welfare including universal healthcare
• Support the death penalty
• Support tax reductions
• Support state control over the minimum wage
• Support resolving issues for any financial institution big or small

Question 5

What factors can limit the signifcance of parties in Congress?

Answer 5

• Constituents: In a short election cycle, members of Congress must be mindful of the views of their constitutents as well as their party if they wish to be re-elected
• Congressional caucuses: Groups of Congressional members who share common interests and come together when voting on that issue
• Interest groups: Interest groups in funding both parties and individual candidates is crucial and can sometimes explain voting behaviour