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Political parties 9 markersExplain and analyse three contributions to the weakness of US political parties.
Partisan Polarization: Partisan polarization has become a significant problem in the US, with the two
major political parties becoming increasingly entrenched in their positions and less willing to
compromise with one another. This has led to gridlock in government, as the two parties are unable
to work together effectively to pass legislation and address pressing national issues. For example,
the recent government shutdown in early 2019 was seen as a sign of the extreme polarization and
gridlock in US politics.
Lack of Ideological Consistency: Political parties in the US have also been criticized for a lack of
ideological consistency, as individual candidates and elected officials often shift their positions based
on political expediency. This has resulted in a lack of clear party platforms and agendas, making it
difficult for voters to know what to expect from their elected representatives. For example, many
Democrats and Republicans have changed their positions on issues such as healthcare and
immigration in recent years, leading to confusion among voters about the true priorities and values
of each party.
Influence of Money in Politics: Money has become an increasingly influential factor in US politics,
with wealthy donors and special interest groups playing a significant role in determining the
outcomes of elections. This has led to concerns about the disproportionate influence of wealthy
individuals and organizations, and a perceived lack of accountability in the political process. For
example, the Citizens united decision by the Supreme Court in 2010 allowed corporations and
unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns, leading to increased concerns
about the influence of money in politics and the perceived weakness of US political parties.
Explain and analyse three ways that the growing polarisation between the two main political
parties in the US could be viewed as significant
Political Gridlock: Political polarization often leads to gridlock in government, as the two parties are
unable to work together effectively to pass legislation and address pressing national issues. This can
result in a failure to effectively govern, as demonstrated by the recent government shutdown in
early 2019. For example, the inability of Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform or
address gun violence in the wake of mass shootings highlights the gridlock and polarization in US
politics.
Decreased Public Trust in Government: Polarization can also lead to decreased public trust in
government and a perceived lack of accountability in the political process. As the two major parties
become more entrenched in their positions, voters may feel that their voices are not being heard
and that the political process is not working in their best interests. This can lead to declining voter
turnout and a growing sense of disillusionment among citizens.
Political Segmentation: Polarization can also result in political segmentation, with voters
increasingly self-sorting into political communities that share their beliefs and values. This can lead
to a further division of the electorate, and make it more difficult for political leaders to reach out to
voters outside of their party base. For example, the growing number of “safe” Democratic and
Republican districts, where the majority of voters consistently support one party or the other,
highlights the segmentation of the US electorate along partisan lines.
Explain and analyse three ways that US political parties could be said to be in renewal rather than
decline.
Explain and analyse three policy differences between the Republican and Democrat parties.
,Taxes and the Economy: Republicans generally advocate for lower taxes, smaller government, and a
focus on reducing regulation to promote economic growth. The 2011 Budget Control Act gave a
‘super-committee’ of House and Senate Republicans and Democrats four months to negotiate a plan
to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion over a ten-year period. Democrats, on the other hand, tend to
support higher taxes, particularly on the wealthy, to fund government programs and address income
inequality. They also tend to support government intervention in the economy to protect workers
and ensure that all citizens have access to the opportunities and resources needed to succeed. When
Obama was first elected in 2008, the country was in the middle of the ‘Great Recession’, still
responding to the financial crisis that began in 2007. The Democrats’ main proposal was the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009), a stimulus package that invested over $787 billion
in infrastructure, education, health, energy and welfare for those badly affected by the recession.
However, there are divisions within both parties on the extent to which the economy should be run.
For example, in 2009, moderate Blue Dog Democrats, who represented more conservative districts,
were reluctant to invest any more on a stimulus package, and 11 actually voted against the bill.
Healthcare: Healthcare is a major point of policy disagreement between Republicans and
Democrats. Republicans have generally opposed the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare,
and have sought to repeal and replace the law with a more limited, market-based approach. In
March 2017, House Republicans announced their long awaited Obamacare replacement – the
American Health Care Act (AHCA). The bill retained two of Obamacare’s most popular features
(allowing young adults under 26 to stay on their parents’ health plans, and banning insurance
companies from charging more, or denying coverage, to individuals with expensive pre-existing
conditions) but it changed most others. - The Democrats have long supported reforms to America’s
healthcare system. Unlike the UK, America does not have a publicly funded healthcare system that
covers all citizens as the NHS does. Democrats have therefore generally supported the Affordable
Care Act, arguing that it has expanded access to healthcare and reduced costs for millions of
Americans.
Social Issues: Republicans and Democrats also have significant differences on social issues such as
abortion, gun control, and same-sex marriage. Republicans tend to be more socially conservative,
advocating for restrictions on abortion and support for the Second Amendment. Most Republicans
see even minor gun control laws as an unnecessary limit on 2nd Amendment rights. A 2013 bill
introducing universal background checks on those purchasing weapons, supported by over 90% of
the US population, was defeated in the Senate after some Blue Dog Democrats voted with
Republicans. Democrats tend to be more socially liberal, advocating for women's reproductive rights
and gun control measures. After the Sandy Hook School shooting in 2012, Democrats proposed a
number of reforms, including the introduction of mandatory background checks, limits to the size of
magazines, and bans on assault weapons. However, the most significant measures were defeated in
Congress, predominantly by Republicans, helped by some Blue Dog Democrats. In 2012, President
Obama took 23 executive actions, such as increasing police resources, to address gun crime.
Generally, Democrats are much more pro-choice than Republicans, and the Democrat party platform
regularly includes a commitment to a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion,
backing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade
Explain and analyse three reasons why the USA might be described as having a twoparty system.
Winner-Takes-All System: The United States uses a winner-takes-all system for elections, where the
candidate with the most votes wins the election. This system tends to create a two-party system
because it discourages the formation of smaller, third-party candidates, who often struggle to win
elections and gain significant political power.
, Political Polarization: Political polarization between the two major parties has increased in recent
years, with the two parties becoming increasingly ideologically distinct. This has led to a situation
where voters are more likely to vote for one of the two major parties, rather than a third-party
candidate.
Party Loyalty and Support: Political parties in the United States have strong and well-organized
support systems, with dedicated party organizations, donors, and volunteers. This makes it difficult
for third-party candidates to gain traction and compete effectively with the two major parties.
Ballot Access: Ballot access laws and other election regulations can also make it difficult for third-
party candidates to get on the ballot and compete in elections. These laws often have strict
requirements, such as obtaining a large number of signatures or having a certain level of support,
that make it challenging for third-party candidates to run for office.
Explain and analyse three ways that third parties can affect US Parties
Shift in Party Platforms: Third parties can bring attention to certain issues and push the major
parties to adopt similar positions in order to appeal to the same voter base. For example, the Green
Party’s emphasis on environmentalism has led both the Republicans and Democrats to prioritize
environmental issues in their platforms.
Split in Voter Base: Third parties can take away votes from the major parties, potentially changing
the outcome of elections. This is known as vote splitting, and it can occur when voters who would
otherwise vote for one of the major parties choose to vote for a third party instead. For example,
Ross Perot’s Reform Party in 1992 drew significant support from Republicans and may have helped
Bill Clinton win the presidency.
Pressure for Reform: Third parties can serve as a pressure group and bring attention to issues that
the major parties may be ignoring. This can lead to reforms being enacted and changes in the
political system, such as campaign finance reform and the introduction of instant-runoff voting. For
example, the Libertarian Party has been a vocal advocate for limited government and individual
liberties, and its presence has pushed both Republicans and Democrats to take these issues more
seriously.
Explain and analyse three key values of the Democratic Party.
Progressive Reform: The Democrats have a history of advocating for progressive reforms aimed at
improving the lives of citizens and addressing social and economic inequalities. Examples of these
reforms include the New Deal programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Great Society programs of
Lyndon B. Johnson, and the Affordable Care Act under Barack Obama.
Social and Economic Justice: The Democratic Party values social and economic justice and seeks to
ensure that everyone has access to basic human rights and opportunities, regardless of their
background or economic status. Examples of policies that align with this value include support for
minimum wage increases, labor protections, and anti-discrimination laws. For example, Democrats
are fighting to raise wages for working people and improve job quality and security, by raising the
federal minimum wage so it reaches $15 an hour by 2026.
Inclusiveness and Diversity: The Democrats prioritize inclusiveness and diversity, and believe that
everyone should have a voice in the political process and equal access to opportunities. Examples of
policies that align with this value include support for affirmative action, LGBT rights, and immigrant
rights. Additionally, the Democratic Party has a strong commitment to promoting diversity and
combating discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and other factors. For example, they lifted
the discriminatory lifetime ban on blood donation by healthy gay and bisexual Americans.
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