Democrats-Republican Help!?

Question

Can someone please explain to me, in easy terms, the main differences between the Democratic and the Republican party? I keep using google, and it gives me their stance on current events, which I will only say later on in the report I'm writing. Thank you!

Answer 1

I feel that this is the base of the difference. Republicans feel that the individual should have more control of their lives and Democrats feel that the government should have more control over the individuals. Its basically a small govt vs big govt debate.

Answer 2

After reading the one-sided answers you've gotten so far, I feel like saying, "The Democrats believe that the government should serve all citizens; the Republicans are war-mongering theocrats who want all tax money given to the rich, and everyone else to be their serfs."

But I won't.

;-)

Democrats have tended to support equal rights for all, and economic support for the neediest people, a social support network, and that part of government's role is as a check on the powerful over the powerless.

Republicans used to favor lower taxes for all, and a government mainly involved in protecting us from invasion and enforcing the law, and not spending much otherwise.

Currently, the leadership of the Republican party believes in lowering taxes only for the rich, and grossly spending more than we can afford in graft and unjustified war, and is against Constitutional protections, and for an imperial presidency (absolute rule by the President).

In a way I'm surprised you haven't found more basic documents, rather than current events positions -- did you look for founding principles or other general things?

Did you actually go to their web sites and poke around a bit?

Part of your problem is that the parties have always had internal differences, and they've changed over the years.

Was a time the Democratic party was split, with the "Dixi-crats" of the south opposing racial equality, and the north being more what we consider "liberal" today.

Also, the Democrats were more pro-union. They've since pretty much sold out unions, the working class, and the poor, though most members would still support these groups.

Now there's a split in the Republican party between the old-fashioned (Goldwater) conservatives -- balanced budget, less interference in people's lives, fiscal responsibility; and the "neocons" who tend to want to force fundamentalist Christianity on all Americans, and don't care about the huge budget deficits Bush has been running up.

So maybe there's really no easy answers here -- as both have changed over time, and both have variations within them.

So, best to stick with my first paragraph.

;-)

Did you try searching on historical analyses? Maybe that would help.

Maybe poke around on some university sites, in the politics sections.

You might also try League of Women Voters, as they are a non-partisan group.

Answer 3

Simple. In theory the Democrats are in favor of bigger government solutions in accordance of their liberal ideology. They also want higher taxes to support thier government programs. Democrats tend to oppose militaruy solutions as a whole.

Republicans in theory, believe in smaller government solutions and more private sector solutions. As Ronald Reagan said, "Government isn't the solution, Government is the problem. Republicans will use the military when they feel all other options will not work.

Answer 4

Democrats often feel like the government should have more contol over things like buiseness and that the government should step in and involve themseleves in more aspects of society, Usually moral issues funny as it sounds. Many dems are often called liberals or the political left.

the extreme left would lead to socialism/communism like the Russians had back in their hay day.

Some main Democratic standpoints are
1) pro-choice, people should be able to choose whether or not they can get an abortion

2) pro-gun control, The government should step in and take more control over who carries guns

3) anti-war pro diplomacy, The government should be controlling national policy instead of the military.

4) more taxes, democrats like spend more money on things like public transportation, the environment, education etc. etc. so they often increase taxes.

5) pro equality and seperation of church and state, gays should be able to marry the same as straights, and religion should not be taught in schools or used in the government to make decisions.


Republicans love to cut taxes, and stick to the original US constitution as much as possible. They often feel that the government should just leave big buiseness alone and let the free market do it's thing. Republicans place a high priority on national security. Republicans are often referred to as conservatives or the political right.

The extreme right leads to over nationalism and fascism like germany before world war 2

some main republican standpoints are

1) pro-life, there should be a law banning abortion

2) anti-gun control, The US constitutions states that american have a right to bear arms, america should keep it that way.

3)pro-military, Sometimes war is an unavoidable way to protect our own country from possible attack.

4)less taxes, republicans feel that issues cannot be solved just by throwing money at them and that hard work is more important than hard cash.

5) anti-gay marriage, pro religion (usually), the US constitution recognizes marriage as the union of a man and a woman and it should stay that way. Religion is a powerful tool to use when determining right from wrong, such as in the gay marriage debate. Religion says it's wrong.

it is important to note that a liberal can be a republican and a conservative can be a democrat.

it's just one is usually hand in hand with the other, of course different people have different views on different topics regardless or party affiliation.

Answer 5

pro choice vs. pro life

gay pride/marriage/equality vs. anti gay marriage

higher taxes to fund things like education and college vs. cutting taxes and reducing funding for these types of things

Tax breaks for middle class vs. Tax breaks for the wealthy

these are just a few topics/ethical issues involved in politics. if you tend to side with the first options then you are more liberal(democrat) and if you tend to side with the 2nd options then you are more conservative(republican)

Answer 6

Bigger more involved government v. smaller less involved government