Summary NHL American Studies Hoorcollege 3

Electing the President
(Americans as believers in democracy)

Political Parties

Democrats
 Moderate to liberal
 Stronger on coasts, cities and suburbs, Northeast

Democrats generally support:
 Government management of the economy
 A public social safety net
 Unions
 Civil rights
 Affirmative action for minorities
 Gun control
 Abortion rights

Republicans
 Fairly to very conservative
 Rural areas, the South, small towns, Mountain states

Republicans generally support:
 Small government
 Less involvement of the federal government in state affairs
 Big business
 Minimal regulation of business
 Low taxes
 Private solutions to poverty and social problems

Minor (“splinter” or “third”) parties
 Libertarian party
 Green party
 H. Ross Perot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM83ObemYsI
 Socialist party
 Prohibition party
 Women’s party
 Right to life party


One does not need to be a member of a political party to run in any
election at any level of government.

Even when elected as Democrats or Republicans, Representatives and
Senators are not bound to a party program (=platform).
Voters may vote
 A straight ticket (if you vote for all the democrats, for example)
 A split ticket (if you vote for different party’s)