A* AQA A-level notes that cover all of the US Politics side of Paper 2 (US Politics & Government). The topics covered include:
- Pressure Groups
- Electoral Process & Direct Democracy
- Political Parties
- Civil Rights
,
, Political Parties; Democrats and Republican
- Traditionally each party has been broad-based + diverse ‘big tent’ or ‘catch all’
- Over past 20yrs parties = narrower, more ideological + increasingly distinct
o Hyper-partisanship
- US parties = much less centralised than those in the UK
o Local state parties = still v important
o Primaries weaken the power of national parties
The main divisions between Democrats & Republicans
IDEOLOGY + VALUES:
Common beliefs:
• A strong attachment to capitalism + free market
• Commitment to a republican system of gov
• A preference for the majoritarian/FPTP system
o Would encourage the rise of 3rd party independents
• A belief that America should maintain a powerful presence in the world + remain the pre-
eminent global power
Differences:
Republicans Democrats
Stronger emphasis on individual freedom/self help, Wants to retain capitalism + wealth differentials but
especially in economics with greater acceptance of gov help for poorest
Belief that religion/faith (especially Christianity) Not anti-religion but a distinct desire to retain a clear
should have a greater public role + presence separation between church + state
Clear commitment to upholding the rights of gun Strong emphasis on the rights of minorities under
owners (2nd A) the Equal Protection Clause (14th A)
Traditionally keen on ‘small government’ and states’ More supportive of a larger + more active federal
rights -> diminished since 2000 gov (FDRs New Deal)
POLICY DIFFERENCES:
Taxes:
Republican
• Keen to keep as low as possible + support cutting taxes of the wealthy/corporations as a way of
generating jobs + stimulating the economy
• E.g. 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced corporate tax rate from 37% to 21%
Democrats
• Less willing to cut taxes for wealthy + keener to support finances of ordinary Americans
• E.g. 2010 Obama cut payroll taxes by 2% + renewed inheritance tax on estates $5m+
• Big government -> How much government is allow to tax
Gun control
Republican
• V reluctant to introduce or support tougher gun laws BUT willing to consider minor changes e.g.
banning ‘bump stocks’
• Strong ties with NRA
• Many republican controlled states back ‘open carry’
Democrats
• More supportive of gun control e.g. tighter background check
• Pres Clinton supported Assault Weapon Ban passed by C 1994; expired 2004 but wasn’t renewed
LGBT rights
, Republican
• Generally hostile to expansion of gay rights + same sex marriage
• Some Republican states have tried to pass ‘bathroom bills’
• Some moderate Republicans are more sympathetic e.g. former senator Mark Kirk
Democrats
• Generally supportive -> socially liberal approach
• Pres Obama came round to endorsing equal marriage
• Signed a bill repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in 2010 that previously banned gay Americans from
serving in the military
Healthcare
Republican
• Oppose the extension of publicly funded/managed healthcare
o Strongly opposed Obamacare
• Since 2016 though have found it harder to agree on alternative
• Largely see healthcare as an individual responsibility for working people
Democrats
• Many support a greater provision of state healthcare
o Obamacare/Affordable Care Act seen as major step towards reducing the number of
working Americans without health insurance
• Many favour the ‘public option’ for medical insurance
Immigration
Republican
• Keen to restrict immigration especially from Mexico + Latin America
o Trump + border wall ‘Build that wall’
Democrats
• Favour immigration reform + making citizenship possible for many existing illegal immigrants e,g,
the ‘Dreamer’ (those brought illegally as children)
Abortion
Republican
• Strongly pro-life + anti-abortion e.g. G.W Bush singed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2003
• Keen to de-fund organisations e.g. Planned Parenthood
• Reflects strong ties with ‘religious rights’
Democrats
• Increasingly pro-choice
o BUT 63 House Democrats backed the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act
• Reflects links with feminist/socially progressive movements e.g. EMILY’s list
IDEOLOGICAL CHANGES
The evolution of the main political parties from ‘umbrella’ parties to increasingly ideological/partisan
parties. The transformation of the two major parties from broad non-ideological coalitions of the 1950s
and 60s into more ideologically cohesive parties of today.
· Partisan – a strong supporter of a party/cause/person
· Hyper partisanship – extremely partisan, extremely biased in favour of a political party. Sharply
polarised by political parties in fierce disagreement with each other
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