Download Who are they? What do they want? Democrats and Republicans

Political Parties
What are they?
Why do we have them?
 Political
Parties: groups of people
who share similar beliefs about how
the government should be run.
 Parties have more power than if a
person acted alone
 Organized at every level of
government (from national to local)
5 Roles of Political Parties
Nominate Candidates
- Select who will run for political
office
- Announce intent to run
- Help win the election
1.
2. Educate Citizens/Voters
 Present
information on issues
or beliefs through pamphlets,
newspapers, radio, TV,
speeches, conventions
 All information is biased and
should not be a citizen’s only
source of information.
3. Create Balance
 Majority:
Having the most people
as supporters; can set the agenda
 Minority: Having fewer supporters;
must work hard to oppose the
majority party.
 Want to be the political party that
has the most members elected to
office.
4. Influence on Policy
 Policy:
Principles, rules, laws.
 Members of Congress, from each
party, work together to create and
pass laws that support their party’s
platform.
 Platform: a set of simplified
statements that explains a party’s
beliefs
5. Unite Government
 Bring
officials (on the local,
state and national level)
together to communicate about
common goals.
How Many Parties Are There?
 Countries
can have none to
many political parties. The
number of political parties is
described as the party system.
MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE UNITED STATES
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
COLOR
BLUE
RED
SYMBOL
DONKEY
ELEPHANT
PHILOSOPHY ABOUT
THE GOVERNMENT
• should have a limited
• should be
role
actively
•
it
is
believed
that
by
involved to
relying on businesses
improve the
& individuals there will
quality of life
be improved
• help achieve
economic production
larger goals
• the larger goals of
of opportunity freedom & self
reliance can be
& equality
achieved
OVERALL- Basic Ideas
Democrats:
Republicans:
 Want be able to have
 Want to tell you less
more laws/regulations you regulations you are
are required to follow
required to follow leave more up to
 Don’t believe in fighting.
private businesses –
Talking/negotiation first.
not controlled directly
Last resort is fighting –
by government
and the United Nations
gets involved
 Stronger military
 Equality overall. Wealthy  Businesses grow to
contribute more to help
provide opportunities
out the poor. (dinner
for jobs to help poor.
example)
The Economy and Taxes
Democrats :
Tax system in which
the wealthy pay a
larger share than the
poor
 trade agreements with
other countries hurt
American workers
(make laws to protect
American businesses)
 balanced
budget/willing to raise
taxes if needed

Republicans :
 Tax cuts for everyone
helps economy
 Believe in global
trade/do not tend to
protect US
businesses from
international
competition
 against raising taxes
even if it means a
budget deficit
National Defense and Security
Republicans
Democrats
 Strong military and
 Tend to cut the
are willing to pay for it
military budget
with government
 Avoid American
money
military
 Confronting American
intervention unless
enemies with or
supported by the
without UN support
United Nations
 Using military
intervention when
 Slow to go to war
American interests or
security is threatened
Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid,
Social Security, Health Care
Democrats:
Republicans :
 Universal safety  Limit or reduce the
net (health care, safety net for the
poor.
education,
 Private businesses
welfare, food
and non-profit
stamps) for the
poor and others. charities can
provide the same
services.
Crime and Punishment
Democrats:
 Rehabilitation
programs over
long prison
sentences for
convicted
criminals
 Against the death
penalty
 Focus on rights
of the accused
Republicans:
 Prison sentences
as a deterrent to
crime
 For the death
penalty
 Stiffer penalties for
convicted
criminals
Environmental Protection
Republicans
Democrats
 Favor fewer
 Favor stricter
restrictions on
regulations on
businesses in the
hopes that
businesses to
wealthier
protect the
companies will be
environment
able to be more
environmental
 Believe global
warming is a real  Many do not
believe
global
threat
warming is a real
threat
Energy Policy
Democrats
 Focus on
researching
alternative
energy sources
for the future
Republicans
 Focus on
securing
existing energy
sources for the
present and
future
Values- Same Sex Marriage and
Civil Rights Laws
Democrats:
Republicans:
 Tend to support
 Tend to oppose
the right for samethe right for samesex couples to
sex couples to
marry
marry
Education
Democrats:
 Oppose using
tax money for
school choice
(vouchers and
charters)
Republicans:
 Favor using tax
money for
school choice
(vouchers and
charters)
Immigration
Democrats
 Favor looser
immigration laws
 Some favor
“Amnesty” for
illegals already in
the country
Republicans
 Favor stricter
immigration laws
 Some favor
punishment or
deportation for
illegals already in
the country