Chapter 5: Political Parties

Typical Republican Fewer government programs = less government spending= smaller influence of government

Too many taxes = penalizing productivity and the economy suffers

Personal responsibility for health care, education, job advancement vs. government responsibility for those things

Government viewed as largely ineffective and inefficient (Reagan quote: “government can’t fix the problem… government is the problem”

Industry/business over environmental regulation Emphasis on strong military Traditional Christian values guide social policies such as: Gay marriage Abortion Prayer/religion in school School choice

Typical Republican White Wealthy Well educated Midwest and South Men Middle-age and older Protestant White collar Rural

Typical Democrat Taxes are needed to pay for the operation of government. The burden of taxes should fall more heavily on the wealthy who can afford to pay more.

Government has some responsibility for guaranteeing health care, education, job advancement especially to the most needy in our population.

Government viewed as necessary to provide regulation and protection of civil liberties/rights Support social policies such as: Gay marriage Abortion rights Keeping religion out of public schools

Typical Democrat Lower income Lower education level and highest education levels like graduate degrees, phd, etc. Women Minorities Younger age Urban Northeast, West coast, industrial Midwest Blue collar/union Catholic (not in recent elections), Jewish, Secular Environmental protection over industry/business

Party Era Historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power. This party tends to win a majority of elections. Throughout history in the U.S., one party has been the dominant (majority) party for long periods of time. Each party era is marked by a “critical election.”

Critical Election Marked by an “electoral earthquake.” New issues emerge New coalitions replace old ones Majority party is often displaced by the minority party Critical election period may require more than one election before change is apparent In the end, the party system will be transformed

Party Realignment The displacement of the majority party by the minority party Usually during a critical election period Realignments are typically associated with a major crisis or trauma in the nation’s history Emergence of Republican Party during Civil War; Democrat’s dominance during Great Depression

Specific Party Eras : First party system Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans : Jackson and the Democrats vs. Whigs : Two Republican eras; 1860 they were antislavery party; Gold standard, industrialization, banking issues, etc. Between Republicans won presidency 14 out of 18 times

Party Eras Continued : The New Deal Coalition A coalition made by Democrats. Basic elements were the urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, poor, Southerners, African-Americans and intellectuals

1968-Present: The Era of Divided Party Government 1968: Nixon elected; 1st time in 20th century that a new president didn’t have his party in control of Congress. 1980: Reagan; 1988: Bush, same scenario 1992: Clinton had 2 years of Dem. Controlled Congress 2000: Bush had short time with Republican control of Congress, 4 months after he took office James Jeffords of VT defects to Democratic party giving dems. Majority in Senate

Party Eras Continued 2002: Senate control back to the Republicans, and they also controlled the House 2006: Democrats take control of both House and Senate 2008: Dems take White House 2010: Republicans take the House of Representatives From Congress and the presidency controlled by 1 party only happened for 12 of the 42 years