US Political Parties- Revision Guide
Party Platform:
Democrat Republican
Philosophy Liberalism. Concerned with Conservatism. Preserving status quo,
changing status quo in favour of tends to oppose change. 2010 Party
well-being, rights and liberties Platform- Pledge to America- drafted on a
ten point ideologically conservative plan.
Economy Favours minimum wage and Taxes shouldn’t be increased. Wages
progressive taxation. Supports should be set by free market. Anti-
economic stimulus. spending focus. Resist raising of the debt
ceiling.
Military Decreased spending. More Increased spending, with a hardline
reluctant to use hard power. stance on those opposing the US. Favour
usage of hard power.
2nd Favour more gun control, as Oppose gun control, as shown through
Amendment shown through attempts by supporting McDonald v. Chicago (2010),
Obama to increase checks on gun which ruled that states should not restrict
purchases. right to buy arms.
Abortion Pro-Choice. Supports Roe v. Pro-life, anti-abortion. Wants Roe v.
Wade (1973). Also supports Wade overturned. Oppose contraception
embryonic stem cell research. mandate and stem cell research.
Death Opponents of the death penalty A large majority of Republicans support
Penalty make up a substantial fraction of the death penalty.
the Democratic base, but the
party is not united on the issue.
Social Ideas Based on community and social Based on individual rights and justice.
responsibility
Role of Direct relief/state intervention. Small government and deregulation.
Government Strong welfare system. (shown through all 178 House
Republicans voting against 2010
Obamacare Act)
Healthcare Favour more progressive House Republicans repealed the
Reform healthcare system, as shown Affordable Care Act 33 times.
through their flagship Obamacare
programme.
Immigration More lenient approach to Spoken out heavily over the DREAM Act,
immigration as shown through the and under Trump have taken an even
DREAM Act (didn’t pass) harsher stance on the issue of
immigration with a pledge to deport and
build a wall.
Supporters of the main parties:
Party Platform:
Democrat Republican
Philosophy Liberalism. Concerned with Conservatism. Preserving status quo,
changing status quo in favour of tends to oppose change. 2010 Party
well-being, rights and liberties Platform- Pledge to America- drafted on a
ten point ideologically conservative plan.
Economy Favours minimum wage and Taxes shouldn’t be increased. Wages
progressive taxation. Supports should be set by free market. Anti-
economic stimulus. spending focus. Resist raising of the debt
ceiling.
Military Decreased spending. More Increased spending, with a hardline
reluctant to use hard power. stance on those opposing the US. Favour
usage of hard power.
2nd Favour more gun control, as Oppose gun control, as shown through
Amendment shown through attempts by supporting McDonald v. Chicago (2010),
Obama to increase checks on gun which ruled that states should not restrict
purchases. right to buy arms.
Abortion Pro-Choice. Supports Roe v. Pro-life, anti-abortion. Wants Roe v.
Wade (1973). Also supports Wade overturned. Oppose contraception
embryonic stem cell research. mandate and stem cell research.
Death Opponents of the death penalty A large majority of Republicans support
Penalty make up a substantial fraction of the death penalty.
the Democratic base, but the
party is not united on the issue.
Social Ideas Based on community and social Based on individual rights and justice.
responsibility
Role of Direct relief/state intervention. Small government and deregulation.
Government Strong welfare system. (shown through all 178 House
Republicans voting against 2010
Obamacare Act)
Healthcare Favour more progressive House Republicans repealed the
Reform healthcare system, as shown Affordable Care Act 33 times.
through their flagship Obamacare
programme.
Immigration More lenient approach to Spoken out heavily over the DREAM Act,
immigration as shown through the and under Trump have taken an even
DREAM Act (didn’t pass) harsher stance on the issue of
immigration with a pledge to deport and
build a wall.
Supporters of the main parties:
