Republicans vs. Democrats…

What’s the difference anyway?

Unit 5: Ante Up

Republicans

more socially conservative economically libertarian closer ties to both large corporation & locally

owned businesses than do the Democrats less affiliation with labor unionsstrong belief in personal responsibility, limited

government, & corporate entrepreneurshipgenerally oppose gay marriage, oppose

abortion, & oppose embryonic stem cell research

Democrats

favors farmers, laborers, labor unions, & religious & ethnic minorities

opposed unregulated business & finance, & favored progressive income taxes

– advocates for welfare spending programs targeted at the poor. Environmentalism

– advocates civil liberties, social freedoms, equal rights, equal opportunity, & a free enterprise system tempered by government intervention (what economists call a mixed-economy)

believes that government should play a role in alleviating poverty & social injustice, even if that means a larger role for government & progressive taxation to pay for social services

support gay marriage, abortion, & stem call research.

Political Spectrum

This is a range of differences in political views between parties.

Political Spectrum in the U.S.

Far left: Radical Left Wing: Liberal & Democrat Left Moderate: Democratic mainstream Centrist: Moderate. Democrat & Republican Right Moderate: Republican Right Wing: Conservative mainstream Far Right: Reactionary

• Many Americans regularly choose not to vote in elections.

–Why do you think people choose not to vote?

• The main reason people choose not

to vote is Voter Apathy – lack of interest in politics.

Something to Think About

• Is the purpose of a democracy to represent the people?– If you consider the basic principle of Popular

Sovereignty, who actually has the power?– Does this Electoral College system represent

the people?– Should each vote count? Are the people of this

country smart enough to make the “right” decision? Are You?

• Gun ControlR: Oppose-Gun control is unconstitutionalD: Favor – Gun control is needed

• Natural EnvironmentR: Strong environmental laws harm the economyD: Strong regulations are needed to protect the

environment

• Race RelationsR: People & Business can be trusted not to discriminateD: Strong anti-discrimination laws are needed

• Minimum WageR: Oppose- raising hurts businessD: Favor – help workers

• HealthcareR: Private insurers are preferable to government mandatesD: Universal access to Healthcare

• Family ValuesR: “Traditional” family valuesD: Support Homosexual causes

Writing Prompt Questions

• What are some reasons that American citizens might reject a one-party system?

• Do you think U.S. citizens value their “right” to vote?

• What purposes do political parties serve in the U.S. & elsewhere?

Writing Prompt

1. Can you have Democracy without Political Parties? Why or Why not?

2. Is Public Opinion important? Please explain why.

Think about your responses, because we will be discussing them.