political parties !

structure of republican party

• republican national committee

  • formulates and promotes- strategies fundraising and elections

  • representatives of states chairs and over 200 members elected

  • each state has own committee but act under RNC w autonamy- grassroots and mobilise

  • michael whatley chair

• pres in office - sets agenda drives policy and if incumbent is key figure in fundraising and campaign

• congressional party leaders

  • shape leg agenda, rally party members and represent in negociations

  • mitch mcConnell

• republican govenors association - ron desantis florida education reform covid respons immigration

  • greg abbott- gov texas- border security, 2nd amendment, free market contribute texas growth

• rep cong camp com/ rep senate camp com- elect democrats to congress- provide resources and campaign to candidates

structure of democratic party

• democratic national committee

  • formulates and promotes- strategies fundraising and elections

  • representatives of states chairs and over 200 members elected

  • each state has own committee but act under DNC w autonamy- grassroots and mobilise

  • chair holds significant influence over strategy and decision making - currently ken martin

• democratic pres in office - sets agenda drives policy and if incumbent is key figure in fundraising and campaign

• congressional party leaders

  • shape leg agenda, rally party members and represent in negociations

  • nancy pelosi key member as leader of house between 2003 and 2023

• democratic govenors association - policy promotion at state level - gavin newsom gov california- progessive policies and leadership during covid

• dem cong camp com/ dem senate camp com- elect democrats to congress- provide resources and campaign to candidates

state parties

• each state has its own version of the national party where candidate selection, delegate selections and local policies are carried out

democrats generally policies

• hold progressive attitudes on social policy-

  • racial eqaulity BLM-

  • repoductive rights affordbale carev act-

  • LGBTQ rights- obergefell v hodges-

  • gun control/ reform criminal system

  • promote voting rights

• favour greater government intervention

  • regulation protect workers- dodd frank wall street reform and consuemr protection act

  • climate chnage agenda- obama clean power plan - supported green new deal- Inflation reduction act 2022 allocate billis to renewable energy projects

  • bidens american rescue plan response to covid

• promote social welfare policies

  • social security- FDR- pension system- LBJ medicare and medicaid- affordable care act

  • biden exapanded child tax credit during american rescue plan

  • advocate for federal funding for public edcuation

republicans tend to and policies

• social and moral issues

  • opposition affirmative action- support voter ID laws

  • restrict abortion- oppose same sex - cons stance lgbtw

  • tough crime policies- stricter sentencing, death penalty and limit reform

  • oppose gun control- maintain 2nd amendment

• restrict gov intervention- protect jobs

  • free market, federalism- tax cuts and jobs act 2017

  • oppose extensive regulation- efforts to roll back dodd frank act - repealed obama enviornemntal regulations - clean power plan- burdens on businesses

  • championed free trade agreements- protectionist approach w trump- tarrifs

  • oppose affordable care act

• accept social welfare but prefer personal respons

  • accept medicare and social security but need reforms so doesnt burden economy long term

  • welfare should be temporary - food stamps

  • critical of welfare expansion- child tax credit, american rescue plan

moderate democrats views

• economic- market based solutions w gov intervention

• healthcare- improve affordable care act

• climate change- pragmatic approaches- market based mechanisms invest green tech

• social issues- incremental change

• foreign policy- favour strong alliances- commitment to NATO

• education- imrpove exisiting education

• criminal justice- reforms - no radical

Biden - new democrat coalition - congress group

liberal democrat views

• economic reform - greater regulation wall street- increase taxes rich- living wage

• free college education- eliminate student debt burdens- more accessible

• healthcare provision for all- universal right

• labour and workers rights- unions and workers rights- oppose trade agreements as exploitave

• pathway to citizenship0 oppose strict border

• climate chnage- green new deal - investment - net zero

• social justice- criminal jsutice reform- support racial gender and lgbtq equality

bernie sanders, elizabeth warren - the ‘squad’ younger congresswomen advocacy on progressive issues

traditional republicans views

• prioritise small businesses

• balanced budgets

• gov safety net with individual responsibility

• support a strong military

• support for controlled immigration

• reduce minimum wage

• opposed to abortion except some circumstances

blue dog democrats

• cons faction- centrist

• economy- fiscal cons- balanced budgets- no excessive gov spending

• healthcare- affordable and accessible healthcare

• climate change- support marekt driven solutions - cautious of policies affect jobs or businesses

• social issues- base on constituencies- abortion gun control

• foreign policy- support strong defense

• immigration - advocate more stringent policies - border security

• taxes- favour business and incentives smaller businesses

joe manchin- moderate stances- crosses party lines - sentator

blue dog coalition- congress- fiscal polciies

significant influence to biden to pass agenda and avoid tie In sentate

social conservatives- traditional values

• abortion- anti - overturn roe v wade

• LGBTQ- oppose same sex and rights- prefer traditional roles

• religious freedom- protect religion

• gun rights- advocate 2nd amendment

• immigration- strict- border security-

• cultural issues- resist change- oppose affirmative axtion- patriotic educstion

ted cruz- vocal advocate for religion - influence on cons discourse of sc nomination and gun rights

marco rubio- pro life advocacy - faith based iniciatives

steve scalise- house minority whip- pro life, 2nd amend, national defence

moderate republicans

• social issues- moderate on lgbt and immigration - compromise

• healthcare - market driven but maintain key aspects like affordbale care act

• climate change- support

• economic- accept fiscal but some need gov help

• gun control- more nuanced- balance safety and right

• education- favour improvements but qualoty accessible education

• tax- support tax reforms than dont disproportionatly affect wealthy

susan collins lisa murowski- willignness to cross party lines

govenor larry hogan - pragamatic- focus on bipartisan solutions - centrist policies

fiscal conservatives

• low taxes- stimulate economic growth - specificall business

• limit gov spending- minimise national debt

• favour derregulation to foster business innovation

• free market economy

• debt reduction

• trade policy- beneficial for economic growth

mitt romney- balanced budget, responsible gov spending

rand paul- paul ryan - emphasis tax reform and budgetary restraibt

house freedom caucus- grew on back of tea party movement

maga/ trump faction- nationalist populist

• immigration- strongly advocate - border wall

• trade and economic nationalism - america first

• foreign policy- skeptical alliances - skepticism funding wars

• law and order- oppose movement critical of police - BLM

• ignore climate chnage - promote energy production and fossil fuels - oppose encionrmental regulation

• culture issues- cons views- oppose affirm action and abortion

• gov derregulation- promote business and economic growth

trump - uses media and actions

marjorie taylor greene- staunch support of trump

matt gaetz mike johnson- strongly support agenda refuse to believe 2020 election defeat

third party and independents

• dominantly 2 party system

• rare - 4 independents 2024 senate

• can influence outcome of close elections- Nader green party took 2.7% vote in 2000 potentially prevented al gore winning

political parties are in decline

• weak control of parties by leaders in congress aand presidents

• primaries reduce influence of party leadership in candidate selection

• party platforms are often ignored by presidents

political parties in renewal

• increasing number of party unity votes (majority of democrats vote differently to majority republicans)

• decline in split ticket voting

• us remains 2 party system

• rise of hyperpartisanship means public are more deeply divided along party lines

UK VS US PARTIES

UK

• strong party control

• two party with multi party elements

• strong party unity

• ideological cohesion

• limits on campaign activity

• core role in contesting elections

• centralised structure

US

• weak party control

• two party domination

• weak party unity

• coalition of factions

• almost no limits on campaign activity

• role undermined by candidates and super pacs

• federal structure

Explain and analyse 3 key values to the democrat Party

P1- social equality- democratic Party advocates for civil rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice- Support for legislation like the Equality Act to protect LGBTQ+- commitment attracts a diverse voter base but faces criticism from conservatives who argue it prioritizes identity politics

P2- economic fairness- promotes progressive taxation, support for workers’ rights, and expansion of social welfare programs- Push for increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 and expanding the Affordable Care Act - educing income inequality resonates with middle and lower-income voters, but opponents argue it risks overregulation

P3-enviornmental responsibility- emphasize combating climate change and transitioning to renewable energy sources- initiatives like the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green New Deal framework- Appeals to younger and environmentally-conscious voters, but critics worry about potential economic disruptions

Explain and analyse 3 key values to the Republican Party

P1-Limited Government and Individual Liberty- advocate for reducing federal government intervention in individuals' lives, emphasizing states' rights and personal freedoms- Opposition to expansive federal programs like the Affordable Care Act and support for lower taxes and deregulation- appeals to voters who prioritize personal responsibility and distrust government overreach, but critics argue it may neglect vulnerable populations

P2- free market capitalism- champion pro-business policies, tax cuts, and minimal regulation to promote economic growth- 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered corporate tax rates, and opposition to raising the federal minimum wage- policies attract business interests and affluent voters, but detractors claim they increase income inequalit

P3-social conservatism- party often supports traditional values, opposing progressive reforms on issues like abortion and marriage- Support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade w trumps cons s.c- resonates with religious and rural voters but alienates more socially liberal constituencies, particularly in urban areas

Explain and analyse 3 ways that third parties and independents can be significant in US politics

P1- influence policy debates- raise issues neglected by the major parties, pushing them onto the national agenda- Green Party in 2000 emphasized environmental issues and consumer rights, which influenced subsequent Democratic platforms- forces the major parties to adapt their policies, but third parties struggle to maintain long-term influence

P2- act as 'spoilers' in elections- Third-party candidates can split the vote, potentially altering the outcome of elections- 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader’s candidacy arguably diverted votes from Al Gore, contributing to George W. Bush's victory- demonstrates their electoral impact

P3-Providing an Alternative to the Two-Party System- Third parties and independents offer voters dissatisfied with the major parties a platform that represents their views- Perot ran as an independent in 1992, gaining 19% of the popular vote by focusing on deficit reduction- reflects public discontent with the two-party system but highlights structural barriers

Explain and analyse 3 reasons why US parties could be said to be weakly organised

P1- Decentralised Structure- U.S. political parties operate at state and local levels, with significant autonomy for state parties- platforms can differ significantly, such as California Republicans being more moderate compared to their counterparts in Texas- decentralisation reflects federalism but undermines national cohesion

P2-Lack of Discipline Over Candidates- limited control over candidate selection and their subsequent actions in office. Primaries allow voters, not party elites, to choose candidates- rump’s rise in the 2016 Republican primaries demonstrated the inability of the party establishment to block a candidate who diverged from traditional repub norms- openness encourages grassroots participation but weakens party discipline and consistency in messaging

P3- Influence of Outside Groups and Donors- Super PACs, interest groups, and wealthy donors can exert more influence on campaigns than party organisations- NRA holds majority power over republican- trump 'do not fear' - dilutes the parties' control over funding and strategy, making candidates more responsive to external stakeholders

Explain and analyse 3 ways in which US parties are in decline

P1-: Rise of Candidate-Centered Politics- increasingly run on personal brands rather than party platforms- Trump’s 2016 campaign prioritized his personal appeal and agenda over traditional Republican policies- allows for more voter-focused campaigns but weakens party cohesion and undermines their ability to enforce ideological consistency

P2- growth of independent voters- growing number of Americans identify as independents, reducing the power of party labels in influencing voter behaviour- 2022, Gallup polls indicated that over 40% of Americans identified as independents, higher than those identifying as Democrats or Republicans- reduces party loyalty, making elections more unpredictable and forcing parties to appeal to a broader, less committed electorate

P3- Influence of Outside Groups and Donors- Super PACs, interest groups, and wealthy donors can exert more influence on campaigns than party organisations- NRA holds majority power over republican- trump 'do not fear' - dilutes the parties' control over funding and strategy, making candidates more responsive to external stakeholders

Explain and analyse 3 factions of the Republican Party

Explain and analyse 3 factions of the Republican Party

P1-Traditional Conservatives- faction prioritizes free-market capitalism, limited government, and strong national defense-Mitch McConnell and Mitt Romney represent this faction, focusing on pro-business policies and fiscal conservatism- appeals to business leaders and moderate conservatives but sometimes clashes with populist elements over cultural issues

P2- Populist Nationalists (Trump Wing MAGA)- faction emphasizes "America First" policies, skepticism of globalism, and a strong stance on immigration- rump and his supporters advocate for protectionist trade policies and tighter immigration controls - energizes the Republican base and attracts working-class voters but polarizes moderates and independents

P3- social cons- group focuses on issues like opposition to abortion, defense of religious liberties, and traditional family values- Evangelical leaders and organizations, such as the Family Research Council- influence secures support from religious communities but can alienate more secular or socially liberal conservatives

Explain and analyse 3 factions of the Democrat party

P1- progressive wing- advocates for bold, left-wing policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and wealth redistribution - sanders focus on social justice, climate action, and reducing income inequality- faction energizes younger and more liberal voters but can create tensions with moderate Democrats over the feasibility

P2- moderate/centrist - seeks pragmatic solutions, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation and incremental reform- biden prioritize preserving Obamacare, balancing economic growth, and maintaining broad electoral appeal- Moderates help the party win in swing states and districts but often clash with progressives

P3- blue dog democrats- represents socially and fiscally conservative Democrats, often from rural or Southern districts- advocate for fiscal responsibility and more moderate stances on issues like gun rights- faction appeals to conservative-leaning voters but faces criticism from progressives for diluting the party’s liberal identity

Explain and analyse the ideological differences between the Democratic and Republican parties.

P1- economic policy- Democratic Party generally advocates for a mixed economy, supporting government intervention- Republicans, on the other hand, emphasize free-market capitalism and limited government intervention- Democrats: Support for raising the minimum wage- Republicans: Emphasis on tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy- Democratic focus on wealth redistribution contrasts with the Republican focus on individual freedom and market-driven growth

P2- social issues- Democrats generally advocate for progressive policies that promote civil rights and social justice, while Republicans tend to hold more traditional and conservative views- Democrats: Support for abortion rights, same-sex marriage- Republicans: Opposition to abortion, support for religious freedoms- divide between the two parties on social issues reflects their broader ideological stance

P3- role of state- Democrats generally believe in a more active role for the government in solving societal problems, while Republicans advocate for limited government- Democrats: Support for federal intervention in healthcare (e.g., expanding Medicaid, implementing the Affordable Care Act- Republicans: Favor reducing the scope of federal government, opposing expansive social programs- creating a fundamental ideological divide over the role of government in people's lives

Explain and analyse the role of political parties in the US Congress

P1- Organizing Legislative Work- Political parties organize congressional work by determining leadership positions (e.g., Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader) and assigning committee chairs- Speaker of the House, from the majority party, controls the legislative agenda- control of leadership positions allows the majority party to set priorities, influence committee work, and drive legislation forward- D controlled congress to pass obama care-

P2- Shaping the Legislative Agenda and Policy Priorities- set the legislative agenda by prioritizing certain policies based on their ideological platform- Democratic Party in Congress may push for climate change legislation, healthcare reform, and social justice issues, while the Republican Party may prioritize tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong national defense- party in power in each chamber of Congress controls the flow of legislation and influences the focus of debate

P3- Party Discipline and Voting Cohesion- Parties enforce voting discipline to ensure cohesion, often through party-line votes- Affordable Care Act (2010) passed largely along party lines, with Democrats voting in favour and Republicans opposing it- Party discipline ensures that members align with their party's platform, making it easier to pass legislation but also contributing to political polarization

Explain and analyse how political parties influence voter behaviour in the US

P1-Framing Political Issues and Policy Preferences- political parties shape public discourse by framing political issues in ways that appeal to their core supporters- 2020 election, the Democratic Party focused on issues like healthcare reform, racial justice, and COVID-19 response, while the Republican Party emphasized economic recovery, law and order- focusing on particular issues and framing them in ways that align with their party’s platform, parties influence how voters perceive those issues

P2- Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) Efforts- Political parties engage in voter mobilization, including grassroots campaigning, phone banking, and organizing events to icnrease turnout- Democratic Party has historically employed strong GOTV efforts in urban areas to mobilize young voters and minority groups- targeting specific demographic groups and encouraging voter participation, political parties directly influence voter turnout and can sway election

P3- Political Advertising and Media Influence- heavily invest in advertising campaigns, including TV ads, digital media, and social media outreach and atatck advertising- 2024 both utilised media w harris tik tok appealing to younger voters - Political advertisements allow parties to influence public opinion by highlighting issues that resonate with their base, attacking opponents

Explain and analyse the impact of factionalism within US political parties

P1- Impact on Party Cohesion and Unity- can create divisions within political parties, making it difficult to present a unified front to voters- democratic Party, the divide between moderates (e.g., Joe Biden) and progressives (e.g., Bernie Sanders) has led to tension over issues like healthcare and climate change likewise between traditional and trump supporters (populist)- can weaken the party’s ability to present a cohesive platform, leading to challenges in both campaigning and governing

P2- Influence on Policy and Legislation- can influence the party's policy agenda, sometimes pushing it in different directions- Republican Party, the rise of the Tea Party faction in the early 2010s led to a push for more conservative fiscal policies, such as tax cuts and spending cuts, which influenced the party’s legislative priorities. Similarly, the Progressive Caucus within the Democratic Party has pushed for policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.- an bring attention to specific issues and broaden the party's appeal, they can also lead to conflicts

P3- Impact on Electoral Strategy and Voter Appeal- affects how political parties target voters and design their electoral strategies- 2016 election, the Democratic Party faced a divide between the Clinton campaign, which focused on centrist policies, and the Sanders campaign, which pushed for more progressive policies- can broaden a party’s appeal by allowing it to connect with different voter groups, but it can also alienate other parts of the electorate

Explain and analyse the influence of political party fundraising on US elections.

P1-Financing Campaigns and Voter Outreach- allows political parties to finance various aspects of a campaign, including advertisements, rallies, staffing, and voter outreach efforts - 020, Joe Biden's campaign raised over $1 billion, allowing for extensive advertising, especially in battleground states- ability to fund these activities gives well-funded parties an edge by allowing them to reach a larger and more diverse voter base

P2- The Role of Super PACs and Dark Money- often benefit from the support of Super Political Action Committees (Super PACs) and dark money- 2016 election, Super PACs supporting both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump raised and spent vast amounts of money on ads, media campaigns, and voter mobilization efforts- Super PACs allow for enormous financial contributions that can significantly influence an election, they also raise concerns about the disproportionate influence of the wealthy on US democracy. Super PACs and dark money groups often operate independently of the candidates

P3- Impact on Electoral Competitiveness- often influencing public perception of candidates and parties.- b2010, the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC allowed for unlimited contributions to political campaigns, which led to a massive influx of money into US elections. This decision had a particularly large impact on presidential and congressional elections, giving well-funded candidates a perceived advantage- can also distort the democratic process by making elections more reliant on money than on voter support- candidates are more beholden to wealthy donors than to the public

Explain and analyse how the two-party system affects political competition in the US

P1-Limited Voter Choice and the Impact on Third Parties- restricts voter choice, as third parties struggle to gain significant traction or representation- third-party candidates such as Ralph Nader (2000) and Gary Johnson (2016) received limited support, often gaining just a small percentage of the vote and failing to win significant office- creates a competitive environment where voters are often forced to choose between two dominant parties however can create differences such as bush v gore election

P2- Polarization- wo-party system fosters polarization, as both major parties increasingly move to the extremes of the political spectrum, leaving less room for centrist positions- Republican Party has seen a shift toward conservatism, particularly with the rise of the Tea Party and populist movements, while the Democratic Party has moved left with the influence of progressives like Bernie Sanders- intensifies competition, as both parties focus on appealing to their base rather than attempting to win over moderate or independent voters

P3- Stability and Clear Choices for Voters- Despite its drawbacks, the two-party system provides political stability by offering voters clear- voters typically face a straightforward choice between a Democratic or Republican candidate, each offering different policies on the economy, healthcare, and social issues- stability can lead to more effective governance and easier public understanding however leading to disillusionment

Explain and analyse the changing demographics of support for the two major parties in the US

P1-Racial and Ethnic Shifts in Party Support- minorities increasingly supporting the Democratic Party, while white voters, especially in rural areas, have become more supportive of the Republican Party- African Americans have overwhelmingly supported the Democratic Party,- demographic shifts highlight how the parties have become more defined by race and ethnicity. The Democratic Party has positioned itself as the champion of civil rights, immigration reform, and social justice, attracting non-white voters-

P2-Gender and Education-Level Divides- become increasingly important in shaping party support, with women and college-educated voters more likely to support the Democratic Party, while men and non-college-educated voters increasingly align with the Republican Party- gender and education divides reflect broader cultural and social tensions, with the Democratic Party often seen as more progressive on social issues, attracting women and college-educated voters. The Republican Party, on the other hand, has appealed to working-class voters by emphasizing economic populism, nationalism, and social conservatism.

P3-Generational Changes in Party Affiliation- influenced party support, with younger voters tending to lean more liberal and support the Democratic Party- ore likely to support progressive policies, such as climate change action, healthcare reform, and social justice issues, aligning them with the Democratic Party- generational divide is an important trend, as younger voters are shaping the future of party support in the US. The Democratic Party's embrace of progressive causes resonates with younger people, but as these generations age, their political preferences may evolve, potentially altering the party landscape

democrats progressive era and new deal

• 20th century- more progressive - wilsons pres showed shift to more active federal gov in economic and social issues

• roosevelts new deal- response great depression- establishment social welfare programs, promotion labour rights

democrats civil rights and social liberalism

• post ww2

• truman desegregated armed forces- LBJ signed civil rights and voting rights act

• support for social justice and civil liberties became central to its identuty- womens rights movement late 70’s

late 20th/ early 21st century democrats

• clinton - shifted towards center on ecomonic issues to combat rise conservatism- free trade, derregulation- third way

• continued advocate liberties- LGBTQ, healthcare, climate chnage - affordable care act, same sex marriage

• balance progressives sanders w cons views

• reponse to trump polarisation and overreaching decisions

era of reagan republican

• more cons economic and social policies

• reaganomics- tax cuts, derregulation, reduced gov spending

• cons stance on social issues - rise of evangelical christian right- traditional family values

early 21st century

• bush- 9/11- turn to national security and defence- war on terror - significant military intervention

• bush tax cuts and no child left behind

• faced internal debates after stock crash and immigration reform

trumpian shift

• nationalism and populism

• america first

• siginificant tarrifs

• immigration significant - illegal aliens act- prison

• dismantle democrat influence- no roe v wade, no paris climate agreement , efforts repeal affordable care

• strong alignment w christian groups