Can anyone explain the political stance of the two or three main American parties?

Question

I'm in England, by the way, and I find it hard to follow foreign politics, but I'm interested! Can anyone explain the sort of basic policies and stances of the Republicans and Democrats, and maybe the Libertarians? Nothing too in depth, just an overview! thanks.

Answer 1

Honestly, no. The US's two-party system means that there are far more views on just a single issue than there are parties, let alone dealing with all the issues.

The best way to explain the stances of the democratic and republican parties are that they are generalities. democrats tend to be socially liberal while republicans are socially conservative. Traditionally, democrats have been more fiscally liberal, while republicans have been fiscally conservative. This has shifted significantly in recent years however, as the "Neo-conservatives" have come into power in the republican party, as these "Neocons" are far less financially conservative (though the social conservatism is the same). This means that in the present day even broad generalizations are largely useless except when it comes to social issues, where democrats tend to be liberal, and republicans tend to be conservative.

Political beliefs vary widely within both parties, with many citizens and even politicians being further toward one end of the liberal/conservative spectrum on certain issues or groups of related issues, and party affiliation is generally determined by which party is a better fit (or which the individual believes is a better fit), rather than being a matter of holding all or even most of the same positions. American politics is divided into parties but also into affiliations and alliances that vary from issue to issue. For example, two politicians might be bitter opponents on one issue, and strong allies on another, and could be part of the same or of different parties.

There are parties other than the democrats and republicans, the best known being the green and reform parties, but they hold few offices and little power, as the two traditional parties have obtained what is essentially a stranglehold on american politics.

To specifically address libertarianism, while I believe there is a "libertarian party" the term is more usually used in reference to the political philosophy of libertarianism, which put simply is that people should be free to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't negatively impact someone else. Libertarian beliefs are more traditionally associated with republicans but again, with the neo-conservative shakeup in that party, this could change. The recent citizen wiretap scandal is a good example of why the philosophy of libertarianism is becoming less associated with the republican party as of late.

American politics are (often intentionally) confusing, and unfortunately the two-party system doesn't help with this. And while the Greens and Reforms have enjoyed a bit of notoriety lately, this has died back down, and there are no signs of a major party shakeup in the forseeable future.

Answer 2

Republicans are about the 'can do, will do' mentality, no questions asked. They are neoliberals, who support free market capitalism; unrestrained by government, laws (except those designed to protect the free running of the market and the stability of the system), or any other consideration, which is why they bulldoze their way around the world with scant regard for human rights, international treaties, the UN Charter, different ways of life, etc etc. The accumulation of wealth as an end in itself and regardless of other considerations.

Democrats are akin to the modern Labour party or the Liberal Democrats; controlled or restrained capitalists who believe the worst evils of the market have to be tempered for the sake of society and humanity. The 'responsible' accumulation of wealth.

Republicans (especially these days) are right wing though they have in the past been right-of-the-centre. Democrats are what I would call right-of-the-centre. Left of centre would be socialists who believe in equality and fair distribution of wealth. and left wing would be communists.

I have no idea who the libertarians are, but I'm sure i soon will.

Answer 3

I am sorry to say the politics in the USA is an international embarassment. It is all about power and money, with the concerns of the people somewhere at the bottom of the list of the two parties in the USA. I do not know anything about the Libertarians other than the name is weird and it seems they haven't explained what they are about and can't field a candidate who is known to the USA electorate. I have advocated a party called Common Sense as it crosses all economic, gender, race and education lines of separation. Obviously it hasn't caught on. The people in the USA want their politics to fit somewhere between getting McDonalds for the kids and having their nails done, or football games.

Answer 4

Republicans and Democrats are really just one and the same. They are two sides of the coin, but still part of the same coin. They essentially have the same agenda, and that is to slowly strip away the rights of the American people and turn the US into a police state. The way they work is like the "good cop, bad cop" scenario you see in the movies.

Answer 5

Republicans usually ultra conservative they don't believe in same sex marriage or abortion stuff like that(Bush think never would cheat and be caught :) would disown his own daughters if they don't marry white and men)
Democrats are a little more relaxed they usually think about all the issues instead of focusing on just one to attack on(Bill Clinton think whoops marriage slip up but the wife takes him back no wars but no child left behind act)
Liberals well it all depends I think I am one and I try to look @ all the info before I decide on any issue(Think Hollywood they only jump on the wagon if the issue is important to them)

Answer 6

republicans are usa's equivelant to tory's or conservatives, democrats are just like labour and Libertarians are like well theirlib dems, there not much difference than the dodgie accents

Answer 7

There are only 2 democrat, very right wing, republican, somewhere to the right of Ghengis Khan

Answer 8

Political parties are merely an ILLUSION, because THIS secret and evil group has been in control of everything for far too long!...
http://www.rense.com/general58/suspre.htm

Answer 9

We have only two major ones the Republicans, (Liberal) and the Democrats (Liberal, Socialist) parties

I wish we had a true conservative party here.

We need a 3rd. party.

Peace!

Answer 10

thank you for your interest in american politics, holly. really there isn't much difference in any of the parties. the folloeing is the credo for all american politicians.

on my honor i will do my best
to take what's given, and steal the rest