Politics in the United States
Our greatest founding father warned us of the dangers of having political parties. However, they started to form while he was still alive. The two earliest were the Federalists and the Democrat- Republicans. They were formed to gain support for the ideas people wanted to see implemented for the nation.
In 2014, according to a Gallup Poll, here is the current political party breakdown in the United States: The Democrats and the Republicans are the two largest parties. There are several minor parties, with the Libertarian, Constitutional, and Green Parties being the largest.
The Democrat formed in the 1820s when the Democratic- Republicans split into the Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs. The Republicans or G.O.P. (Grand Old ), started as an anti-slavery party in 1854. Abraham Lincoln were their first elected President.
Why the Donkey and the Elephant? Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast
The now-famous Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a jackass (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters. Later, cartoonist Thomas Nast used the Democratic donkey in newspaper cartoons and made the symbol famous. Nast invented another famous symbol the Republican elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled The Republican Vote. That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican.
Today, Democrats today like to say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.
Some people reject the traditional labels of being just a Democrat or a Republican. Many political scientists prefer using the terms conservative, liberal, libertarian, populist, and moderate. If you use the general two-party labeling, Democrats would typically fit on the left side, and Republicans on the right.
Conservatives They tend to favor economic freedom, but frequently support laws to restrict personal behavior that violates "traditional values." They oppose excessive government control of business, while endorsing government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure. Conservatives usually support a strong military, oppose bureaucracy and high taxes, favor a free-market economy, and endorse strong law enforcement.
Liberals They usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.
Libertarians They support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.
Populists They want government to have a great deal of power over the economy and individual behavior. They frequently doubt whether economic liberty and individual freedom are practical options in today's world. Populists tend to distrust the free market, support high taxes and centralized planning of the economy, oppose diverse lifestyles, and question the importance of civil liberties.
Centrists (Moderates) They espouse a "middle ground" regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention and sometimes support individual freedom of choice. Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind, tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what they describe as "practical" solutions to problems.
The Political Spectrum *Not everyone will agree with my interpretation of the spectrum. Based on my experiences, this is how I see it. TOTALITARIANISM/ COMMUNISM Government Involvement in All Aspects of Life LIBERALISM Government in Economic Issues/ Out of Social Issues CONSERVATISM Government in Social Issues/Out of Economic Issues ANARCHY No Government at All POPULISM Government Involved in Most Aspects of Life MODERATISM Solutions Are Sought From All Points of View LIBERTARIANISM Very Little Government Involvement
Constitution Democrat Green Libertarian Republican Abortion Restrictions Yes No No No Yes Limiting Private Financing of Political Campaigns Legalize Same-Sex Marriage No Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No Universal Health Care No Yes Yes No No More Progressive Taxation No Yes Yes No No
Constitution Democrat Green Libertarian Republican Immigration Restrictions Yes No No No Yes Capital Punishment (Death Penalty) Yes No No No Yes Drug Liberalization No No Yes Yes No Civilian Gun Control No Yes Yes No No Non- Interventionist Foreign Policy Yes No Yes Yes No
Who has the power as of January 2015? Democrats Republicans Other The Presidency & Vice Presidency X The U. S. Senate 46 54 The U. S. House Of Representatives 189 246 State Governorships 18 31 1 State Senates 14 35 1 State Houses of Representatives 16 33 1