US Political Parties and Pressure Groups

Values, Ideologies, Traditions, and Policies

Parties aren’t as clear as in the UK, some argue there are no US political parties and instead it’s multiple groups of people with 1-2 core values.

Due to the Country’s size, parties had to be broad and ‘big tent’ with ideology not being a factor till the mid-20th Century.

Biden was a Democrat President who believed in the principles of a Republican government.

Cruz is a Republican Senator who believes in the principles of a Democrat government.

Trump aligned himself with the Democrats and the Clintons between 2001-07.

Attaching Ideological Labels is more accurate in America: ‘Conservative Democrat’, ‘Liberal Democrats’, ‘Conservative Republicans’, ‘Moderate Republicans’.

The Democrat Party

Oldest political party globally.

Until the 1960s, the dominant party in the South where the party was historically very socially conservative.

Liberal ideas in the Northern Wing became more dominant.

Favour government intervention in the economy and social reform

Presidents - FDR (1933-45), JFK (1961-63), Obama (2008-16)

The Republican Party

Also referred to as the GOP (Grand Old Party).

During the 19th Century they were anti-slavery.

Favour low taxes & minimal state intervention in the economy.

Till the 1960s it was more successful in the North.

Conservative Social Policy.

Presidents - Lincoln (1861-65), Nixon (1969-74), GwB (2000-08)

Differences between Democrat and Republican Parties on key issues

Democrats support:

• Increased spending on social welfare programmes

• Gun control

• Women’s rights on abortion

• Gay rights, Same-Sex marriage

• Strict environmental controls

• ‘Obamacare’

Republicans support:

• High levels of defence spending

• Prayer in state-run schools

• The federal government should do less (Laissez-Faire)

• Cut federal taxes

• Death penalty

• Stricter controls on immigration

• A ‘Get Tough’ policy on crime.

Organisation of the main parties

Most of the 19th-20th Centuries, political parties were more evident at State and Local level rather than National.

There was little ideological cohesion between State organisations if the same party.

Only in the last 3 decades has the national party structure been strengthened.

A parties structure and organisation is complex rather than a single hierarchal party with State branches.

Organisation of the main parties - 6 Factors changing national party strength

1. New campaign finance laws meant money flowed to the national party and candidate rather than local fundraising.

2. TV allows for candidates to appeal directly to voters - a role traditionally played by state and local parties through rallies etc.

3. Sophisticated and widely available opinion polls allow candidate to ‘hear’ what people are saying rather than having to meet them.

4. New tech allows national parties to target voters with political & fundraising messages directly to their homes.

5. Parties became more ideologically cohesive and politics became more partisan resulting in more centralised control of both the message and messengers.

6. National parties established systems to recruit and train state and local party candidates offering them legal advice, media training, financial advice, etc.

Organisation of the main parties - Leadership

Unlike UK political parties, US parties have no clear leader as such.

Shows the separation of powers and the framework of the USA as well as the broader political culture.

The President is only the ‘de facto leader’ not the formal leader - they do have a high level of authority within the party and set the tone of the agenda, yet individual party leaders in each chamber have control of the party in Congress.

Congressional Party Leaders work with the president and negotiate, but the President can be thwarted by Congress - e.g. Trump’s healthcare reforms 2016-18.

Leadership is largely informal instead centres around personality with party members bending to the will of personality in order to stay in power themselves - E.g. Vance bending to Trump’s personality and MAGA backing in order to become VP.

Organisation of the main parties - State-based parties and weak central structure

US parties are decentralised into state-based with critics arguing that the US isn’t a 2 party system instead is a 100 party system.

National Committees:

• DNC & RNC

• Headed by the Party Chairmen that’s elected by committee members. Very rarely do these become household names.

• Chair acts as a media spokesperson responsible for day-to-day running of the party and organises the National Conventions every 4yrs.

• It is weak as the parties are decentralised.

• E.g. Public disagreement between DNC & State Parties - Michigan + Florida organised primaries before allowed.

Alongside the NCs there are 4 ‘Hill Committees’ which aim to get their members elected to Congress on Capitol Hill:

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)

• Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)

• National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC)

• National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)

They primarily coordinate campaigns and donors ensuring public donations go to target seats or shore up vulnerable ones.

2020 Senate Elections: NRSC ran billboard campaigns across several states simply changing the name to reflect the individual state.

Organisation of the main parties - Associated Groups

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA):

• Independent from the Democrat Party

• Have a membership of approx. 50,000

• Works to ensure victory for very progressive Democrats in primaries

• 2018: Two of its endorsed candidates were elected to the House, AOC and Rashida Tlaib

Also traditional pressure groups like the NRA throw influence, endorsement, and funding behind candidates they believe will further their cause - weakens national party power.

CASE STUDY: Steve King (Iowa 4) 2020

June 2020 - Controversial Republican House member Steve King lost his primary.

Partly to do with his tract record of racist and sexist comments.

However the main reason was being ostracised by House Leader Mitch McConnell who said he had become “unworthy of his elected position”

King was in a vulnerable seat, taken off the Agricultural Committee - lost his voice and is a rare example of primaries being used to select less polarising candidates.

Significant changes in the last 50 years - Geography

Visually dramatic shifts is regional support enjoyed by each party.

The South is reliably Republican, with 1976 being the last election a Democrat won comprehensively across the South (Jimmy Carter).

The East and West Coasts are more solidly Democrat, with the last Republican win in California was 1988 with George H.W. Bush (Sr.).

Until the early 1960s, the ‘solid south’ was Blue, but since the 21st century it has flipped red (outside of Georgia in 2020).

The answer ties in what type of voters supports each party and their changing policy platform.

Significant changes in the last 50 years - Ideology

Republicans have become more conservative, Democrats became more liberal over the past 50 years.

‘Southern Strategy’ played a key role in transforming the US electoral and ideological map. - Used effectively by Nixon and Reagan in the 1970s and 1980s, elevated by Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Republicans adopted a strong law and order approach after the 1967-68 urban riots, in opposition to educational integration, with a strong conservative stance opposing feminist and sexual revolutions.

• Unsurprisingly Southern Conservative Democrats (Jesse Helms NC, Storm Thurmed SC) switched parties.

Democrats became more liberal, diverse, and a cheerleader for gun control, pro-choice, LGBTQ+ rights, and universal healthcare provisions.

• Conservative Republicans switched parties - Arlen Specter (PN) 2009, Lincoln Chafee (RI) 2013.

Significant changes in the last 50 years - Demographics

Republican voters are more likely to be white, rural, or small-town America, and attend Church regularly.

Democrat voters are more likely to urban dwellers and diverse in background and culture, less likely to be religious with higher levels of education.

Party Campaigns and Ads tend to appeal to these stereotypes:

• Republican ads label Democrats as unpatriotic submissive socialists, and enemies of faith based values who want to take away guns from law-abiding citizens and defending the police.

• Democrat ads label Republicans as racists, bigots, and hostile to women’s rights.

Significant changes in the last 50 years - Cohesiveness

The parties are a much more opposed to one another in Congress, with major policies such as Obamacare and Trump Tax Cuts, having little opposition party support.

By contrast the Civil Rights Act 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965 LBJ relied on Republicans to pass, especially in the Senate with 81% of Republicans in support compared to 69% of Democrats.

In 1974, 7/17 Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee voted with Democrats to impeach Nixon over the Watergate Scandal. By contrast, not 1/195 Republican lawmakers sided with Democrats to impeach Trump.

Hyperpartisanship

A sharply polarised situation in which political parties are in fierce disagreement with each other.

The gap between parties has grown, so has internal party divisions.

Party Unification

Parties are often more united in opposing the policies of the opponent than they are in unity behind their own policies or creating alternatives when in power themselves.
E.g. Republicans were united in their hatred of Obamacare, but under Trump they’ve failed to agree to any healthcare reforms so none were passed.

Parties and individuals are most loyal when chasing party nominations - In 2024, the Republican Primary began with 5 candidates, 4 anti-trump. By the end, Nicki Haley endorsed Trump on March 6th 2024.

Lawmakers are often most willing to work together in the lead up to congressional elections to prove their worth to voters without straining party unity too much.

The ‘Lame-Duck’ period (2nd Half of a presidency) sees reduced levels in party loyalty.

Pork-Barrelling

Elected officials using influence to ensure federal funding for their States, it comes from the phrase “Bringing home the Bacon”

Very United Party Examples

2018: Republicans stuck with their party 91%, Democrats 89%

Trumps 2016 victory intensified partisan divide, yet very few Republican legislatures enthused openly criticising him.

1994: Newt Gingrich “Contract with America”

2018: Democrats “Better Deal” programme - “Better Jobs, Wages, Future”

Very Divided Party Examples

Feb 2020: Senate limit on Trumps military power in Iran, 10 Republicans impeached Trump in 2021.

Republicans want to cut jail numbers to save money, Democrats favour more emphasis on rehabilitation.

Trumps less conventional policies have led to division in some Republican quarters.

Party Factions - Blue Dog Coalition

What? Supports ‘fiscal responsibility’ and today adopts a more neutral line on social issues such as Gun Control and LGBTQ+ Rights.

Who? Moderate Democrats, in 2020 - Stephanie Murphy (Florida) and Lou Correa (California). In 2026 = 10 House Members

Why? Because they are more centrist and can appeal to the more Republican leaning districts.

Party Factions - New Democrat Coalition

What? Committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.

Who? Largest Democrat House Caucus, 104 Members in 2020 from a wide range of States. Henry Cuellar (Texas) belongs to both Blue Dog and New Democrat.

Why? Broad, Centrist, Large wing of the party with some overlap with other caucuses.

Party Factions - Congressional Progressive Caucus

What? Promoting economic justice for all, and advancing environmental protection and energy independence.

Who? 2020 comprised of 98 members, co-chaired by Pramila Jayapal (Washington) and Mark Pocan (Wisconsin). Bernie Sanders is associated with this caucus.

Justice Democrats: Progressive grassroots PAC aimed at electing progressive leaders of Congress, such as AOC.

Party Factions - Tuesday Group

What? Pragmatic approach to government and are committed to a solution-orientated approach.

Who? 2020: 15 house members including John Katko (NY) and Elise Stefanik (NY), representing swing districts.

Anything Else? Similar to the BDC as they are keen to find a bipartisan approaches to issues.

Party Factions - Republican Study Committee

What? Stands for limited government, high defence spending, preserving traditional values and the 2^nd Amendment and balancing the federal budget.

Who? 147 conservative Republicans and was largest caucus in the House in 2020 comprising of around ¾ of all House Republicans.

Anything Else? Although starting off as one wing of the party in 1973, now represents the bulk, with its chair in the 116th was Louisiana congressmen Mike Johnson.

Party Factions - Freedom Caucus

What? Blends a mixture of social conservatism in areas such as Abortion + LGBTQ+ rights with a passion for small government and Libertarianism.

Who? About 30 members of the most right-wing Republicans, chaired by Andy Biggs (Arizona) in 2019. In 2026 = 35 House Members

Representing Red America - Biggs was one of two Republicans who voted against the $8.3bn emergency COVID-19 measure. Showcasing how they represent healthcare sceptics common in ‘Red America’.

Party Decline

The approach that parties have become weak and enfeebled, with little real power or grip on US politics.

Party Renewal

The approach that parties remain central to US political life and have grown in importance and relevance in recent times.

The Broder Thesis

Broder was writing at the time of the Vietnam War but before Watergate making 2 observations about Party Decline:

1. Parties had largely abdicated their role in formulating policy and positions in the area of foreign policy, too much was left to ‘experts’.

2. Parties needed to be reinvigorated and their congressional leadership given greater powers.

He was essentially arguing for many of the essential of traditional party parliamentary government observed in the UK.

He was also alert to the dangers of ignoring a renewal of the responsible party system TBC