US Political Par ties
K ey pr in ciples
Dem ocr ats Repu blican s
Generally liberal, believing in progressive Generally conservative, believing in
rights and some level of governance in both individual rights and limited role for the
social and economic policies government in economic and social policy,
although a larger role in homeland security
Believe in:
‘We never stop trying to build a Believe in:
perfect union’ Limited government, SoP and
Liberty and equality for all federalism
Government intervention to ensure ‘Political and economic freedom are
equality for all, in both the economy indivisible’
and social welfare An originalist interpretation of the
Being strong enough to defend the constitution
nation while seeking peace The rights of the individual, ‘life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness’
Support: Support:
Women's right to choose in the case Restrictions on provision of and
of abortion funding for abortion
Same-sex marriage Opposition to same-sex marriage
Social welfare Stricter immigration policy
Reform of immigration Pro-business policies
Pro-environmental policies Gun rights
Gun control Smaller government to allow greater
Larger government, even if that rights of individual states
occasionally encroaches on the State and parent run education
states' rights Tax cuts over the provision of social
Access to free, or debt0-free welfare including universal
education healthcare
Abolishing the death penalty The death penalty
The Fr eedom Cau cu s
Formed in 2015, the Freedom caucus is a group of right-wing Republicans in the
House of Representatives. They formed to vocalise challenges Obama’s immigration
policy and to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In 2022, 49 of 209 Republican
Reps w er e par t of the Fr eedom Caucus. Republican speakers John Boehner
(2011-15) and Paul Ryan (2015-19) tried to tame this faction but ultimately resigned
due to their disruptive techniques.
K ey pr in ciples
Dem ocr ats Repu blican s
Generally liberal, believing in progressive Generally conservative, believing in
rights and some level of governance in both individual rights and limited role for the
social and economic policies government in economic and social policy,
although a larger role in homeland security
Believe in:
‘We never stop trying to build a Believe in:
perfect union’ Limited government, SoP and
Liberty and equality for all federalism
Government intervention to ensure ‘Political and economic freedom are
equality for all, in both the economy indivisible’
and social welfare An originalist interpretation of the
Being strong enough to defend the constitution
nation while seeking peace The rights of the individual, ‘life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness’
Support: Support:
Women's right to choose in the case Restrictions on provision of and
of abortion funding for abortion
Same-sex marriage Opposition to same-sex marriage
Social welfare Stricter immigration policy
Reform of immigration Pro-business policies
Pro-environmental policies Gun rights
Gun control Smaller government to allow greater
Larger government, even if that rights of individual states
occasionally encroaches on the State and parent run education
states' rights Tax cuts over the provision of social
Access to free, or debt0-free welfare including universal
education healthcare
Abolishing the death penalty The death penalty
The Fr eedom Cau cu s
Formed in 2015, the Freedom caucus is a group of right-wing Republicans in the
House of Representatives. They formed to vocalise challenges Obama’s immigration
policy and to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In 2022, 49 of 209 Republican
Reps w er e par t of the Fr eedom Caucus. Republican speakers John Boehner
(2011-15) and Paul Ryan (2015-19) tried to tame this faction but ultimately resigned
due to their disruptive techniques.
