US political parties

Question 1

How united are US parties today?
- united

Answer 1

• 2018, R stuck with party 91%/ D 89%
• hyperpartisanship
• both parties strong views on big issues, abortion

Question 2

How united are US parties today?
- divided

Answer 2

• policy areas like regulation of wall street they are bipartisan
• evidence of bipartisan support like the ACA 2010

Question 3

Are US parties in decline or enjoying renewal?
- decline

Answer 3

• campaigns are candidate not party focused
• parties play a small role in political communication
• many voters do split ticket voting suggesting parties have less importance than individual candidates
• voter turnout decreased

Question 4

Are US parties in decline or enjoying renewal?
- renewal

Answer 4

• although campaigns are centred around individuals their message reflects the party values
• split ticket voting shown decrease in recent decades (2016 every state with senate election voted for president candidate from same party)
• voter turnout not fallen (2016 - 60%/ 2020 - 67%)