US political parties

Question 1

key democratic party principles

Answer 1

-large gov programmes to lift poor out of poverty
-high taxes on wealthy for welfare
-civil rights embraced
-gun control measures tightened

Question 2

key republican party principles

Answer 2

-large gov programmes are wasteful and inefficient
-trickle down economics- dont raise taxes
-no further action needed for civil rights- affirmative action is patronising
-gun ownership is a right

Question 3

how is leadership organised within parties?

Answer 3

-no clear leader so no control over party in congress; any existing leadership is informal and personality based
-party leaders in each chamber e.g. 2021 HoR: House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, D speaker Nancy Pelosi

Question 4

example for organisation of leadership

Answer 4

lack of party discipline= president may be thwarted by own party.
e.g. Trump couldn’t pass healthcare reeforms in first 2 yrs of office despite maj in both houses

Question 5

what are state-based parties?

Answer 5

-have autonomy and independence: organise primaries and thier own structure
-don’t endorse candidates
-Hill Committees get members of party elected to congress

Question 6

example of state parties

Answer 6

DNC and RNC (national committee).
organise convention, party platforms.
limited role beyond that- chairs not important players
e.g. Jamie Harrison DNC

Question 7

what are associated groups with parties?

Answer 7

share pressure group characteristics but more political
e.g. Democratic Socialists of America membership 50,000. help secure victories for progressive Ds in primaries.
e.g. endoresed Alexandria Ocasio Cortez to House 2018

Question 8

how has geography changed within parties?

Answer 8

1976 last time Ds won across the south; even Southern D Bill Clinton only a handful of states.
Rs last won California 1988 (Shrub).
until 1960s, D “solid south”, then Rs 2000s.

Question 9

how has ideology changed within parties? (democrats)

Answer 9

1964 civil rights act signed by Johnson- “we have lost the south for a generation”.
shed southern wing from 1960s
e.g. defection of Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania) 1965-2009

Question 10

how has ideology changed within parties? (republicans)

Answer 10

southern Ds swapped parties and more liberal Rs were defeated or left
e.g. John Lindsay left in 1971 saying the Rs had come “so far from what i perceive as necessary politics”

Question 11

how have demographics changed within parties?

Answer 11

change in ideology = change iin support base
R: white, rural, religoius
D: diverse, urbans, less religious
campaigns plau to principles of groups
e.g. R ads portray Ds as unpatriotic, enemies of religion, want to take away guns

Question 12

how has cohesiveness changed within parties?

Answer 12

less bipartisanship and major policies without opposing support.
civil rights act 1964 relied on R votes- senate 81% R backed it

also impeachement.
Nixon ‘74- 7/17 R on HJC voted to impeach
Trump ‘19- not one of 195 R voted yes

Question 13

arguments for parties being divided

Answer 13

1. congress votes e.g. 2018 HoR Rs stuck with party 91% of time, Ds 89%
2. cohesive in terms of policy e.g. hard to find pro-life Ds
3. emphasis on unified party platform e.g. 1994 Rs with Newt Gingrich’s “contract with America”

Question 14

arguments against parties being divided

Answer 14

1. still bipartisan votes e.g. Feb 2020 to limit Trump’s military power against Iran- 8 Rs joined Ds
2. R and D common ground policies e.g. Rs cut jail time to save money, Ds for rehabilitation
3. no compulsion to subscribe to their party’s platform- selective to get noms

Question 15

democratic factions

Answer 15

BLUE DOG Ds: moderate, fiscally responsible, common ground with R
NEW DEM COALITION: centrist, pro-economic growth, 104 members
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE: liberal, economic justice, Bernie Sanders

Question 16

republican factions

Answer 16

TUESDAY GROUP: moderate, swing districts, common ground with D
R STUDY COMMITTEE: conservative, reps most of party, limited gov.
FREEDOM CAUCUS: most right wing, partisan districs, conservative LGBTQ+

Question 17

argument for party decline

Answer 17

1. tradtional split ticket e.g. 2020 New Hampshire D senator Jeanna Shaheen and R governor Chris Sununu
2. limited role in communication. most rallies and ads by candidate themselves
3. campaign is candidate not party focused- qualities not wider platform

Question 18

argument for party renewal

Answer 18

1. less split ticket e.g. 2016 senate outcome same as pres in all 50 states
2. Hill Committees and groups run ads, funding, promote candidates e.t.c
3. candidates’ messages reflect commonlt held values- primaries for the most extreme members

Question 19

what are party weaknesses?

Answer 19

-lack single leader
-campaigns candidate not party focus
-power dispersed: congress leaders, chairs of DNC and RNC, governors
-state parties retain control
-candidates dont want to upset core voters who vote in primaries
-no sanctions for rebels

Question 20

does the US have a 2 party system?

Answer 20

• no sustained presence of 3rd or Independents e.g only 2 Is Bernie Sanders and Angus King
• none have won electoral votes since George Wallace 1968
• no history of 3rd parties e.g. Libertarians only founded 1971
• even high profile Is had party links at some point e.g. Michael Bloomberg previously NY R mayor

Question 21

arguments for significance of 3rd parties

Answer 21

1. influence pres outcome e.g. 2000 down to winning Florida. had Green Ralph Nader not run, votes may have gone to Gore
2. congress elections e.g. 2018 main- R winner in 1st round failed when eliminated I’s votes got redistributed
3. policies co-opted e.g. Ross Perot’s pledge for a balanced budget

Question 22

arguments for insignificance of 3rd parties

Answer 22

1. most elections 3rd and Is have no outcome impact e.g. 2012 and 2016
2. Maine only state using not FPTP for congress. usual reason for 2 party system
3. lack high profile media presence e.g. televise debates