The Democratic Party Takes Control of the House of Representatives

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The two-party organisation and the ii major parties

The electoral system in the U.S. is called a two-party system. That means that two parties boss the political field in all three levels of government. In the U.S. these two parties are the Republican Political party and the Democratic Party. Other parties, often generally termed "third parties", in the U.S. include The Dark-green Political party, Libertarians, Constitution Political party and Natural Law Political party.

In the U.S., political candidates do non have to go the bulk of votes – that is, more than 50% of votes – to be elected. Instead, candidates need a plurality of votes – that is, a higher percentage of votes than other candidates running for office. Since the Autonomous and Republican Parties are the two largest parties in the U.S., candidates from these 2 parties tend to become the plurality of votes. Therefore, other smaller parties are oft left unsuccessful in elections. Americans whose political values closely align with candidates from 1 of the third parties might therefore instead choose to vote for either the Democratic or the Republican Party. They do this to ensure that their vote is used on a candidate who has a better take chances of winning. This keeps the ii-party-organisation in effect.

One advantage of having a two-political party organisation is that it helps ensure that the two chief parties in power have a wide platform that represents the general public. Because the two parties are and then large, there is room for a wide range of political positions within each political party. This means that there may exist slightly varying political viewpoints on different matters within each party.

A broad political spectrum

Now, effort to imagine a spectrum that says "liberal" or "progressive" in i end and "conservative" or "traditional" in the other. This spectrum represents a political party. This party'due south representatives may exist placed anywhere along the line, depending on how their political views fit within their party's general policy. This is a simplified way of illustrating the broad scope of political opinions that both the Autonomous and Republican Parties embrace.

In the following, nosotros are going to investigate the general policies of the ii parties. However, in the light of the above, it is important to keep in listen that there are nuances within each party's policies. Thus, the beneath but provides a full general description of the parties' political stances.

The Republican Political party – General policy and political values

The Republican Party is often referred to as the GOP. This abbreviation stands for M Quondam Party. Its logo is an elephant. The Republican Political party is known to support right-leaning ideologies of conservatism, social conservatism, and economical libertarianism, amid other -isms. Thus, Republicans broadly advocate for traditional values, a depression degree of regime interference, and big back up of the private sector.

1 main standpoint of the Republican Party platform is a strong focus on the family unit and individual liberty. Generally, the Republican Party therefore often tends to promote states' and local rights. That means that they oft wish for federal regulations to play a lesser role in policymaking. Furthermore, the GOP has a pro-business-oriented platform. Thus, the political party advocates for businesses to exist in a free market instead of being impacted by tight government regulations.

Every bit mentioned above, Republican members and candidates' stances towards detail issues may vary. Overall, however, the party is a proponent of religious freedom. Moreover, the GOP is generally "pro-life", thereby opposing the legal right to costless abortion and instead emphasizing unborn fetuses' correct to live. Furthermore, the party is generally against introducing an extensive gun control legislation, and thus Republicans safeguard the right to bear arms as articulated in the 2d Amendment of the U.Southward. constitution. Additionally, the party values a powerful national defence and a strong armed forces in order to provide increased security and peace.

The Democratic Political party – General policy and political values

The Democratic Party (whose logo is a ass) generally represents left-leaning, liberal and progressive ideological values, thus advocating for a potent regime to regulate business and support for the citizens of the United States. Thus, one of the cardinal values emphasized by Democrats is social responsibleness. Overall, Democrats believe that a prominent and powerful government can ensure welfare and equality for all. Much like the Republican Party, political opinions within the Democratic Party stretch across a wide spectrum, as both parties are, to a large degree, decentralized. Nevertheless, from a general betoken of view, Democrats tend to back up heavy taxation of high-income households. In comparing to Denmark, where taxes are generally loftier, the Democratic taxation policy may not seem excessive, only on a U.S. taxation scale these tax percentages are in the heavy end.

Furthermore, Democrats to some caste support authorities-funded healthcare and the political party thereby aims to ensure that health and social services are accessible for all U.S. citizens.  Additionally, the Democratic Party mostly supports women's legal rights to gratuitous abortion equally well as LGBTQ+ people's rights to equal treatment nether the law. In opposition to Republicans a large part of the Democratic Party promotes a tightening of gun legislation and dispute the right to conduct a concealed weapon (as opposed to open conduct). Similar to the Republican Party, Democrats abet for religious liberty and individuals' right to exercise their organized religion. However, at the same time, and by and large more so than Republicans, Democrats value a separation between church and land, every bit is stated in the U.Due south. constitution

Discuss:

• How many levels of regime are at that place in the The states?
• Compare the U.Due south. ii party system to the Danish multi-party arrangement. Identify some of the merits and demerits of each organisation.
• Have a look at the table showing Republican and Democratic stances on selected political issues. What other political issues can yous come with? Find out where the two parties stand up on these and discuss in class or in groups.
• Which of the above selected political bug is the about important one to you? With which party do yous mostly hold?

Activity:

• Divide the class into two parties – The Republicans and the Democrats. Choose one or more of the issues from the table above to debate. Let each party take time to research the issue(s) and set arguments. The teacher will be moderating the debate.

Party overview: Selected political areas

Human and social values

The Republican Political party: Emphasis on private freedom.

The Democratic Party: Emphasis on customs.

Tax

The Republican Party: Lower taxes for all.

The Democratic Political party: Higher taxes, specially for loftier-income earners.

Armed services

The Republican Political party: Enhanced funding.

The Democratic Party: Reduced funding.

Healthcare

The Republican Party: Values private healthcare services and low caste of government interference.

The Democratic Party: Values equal admission to some form of regime-supported healthcare.

Immigration

The Republican Party: For strong border control and displacement of undocumented immigrants.

The Democratic Party: For residency of certain undocumented immigrants.

Religion

The Republican Party: Values religious freedom – such as defending marriage as a bail betwixt a man and a woman and promoting the right to display religious scripture in public.

Democratic Party: Values religious liberty – such as advocating for legal marriage between any ii individuals and a clear separation of church building and land.

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Source: https://dk.usembassy.gov/da/youth-education-da/the-american-political-system/the-democrats-and-the-republicans/

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