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Political Parties in the USA

The Ideologies of the Two Main Parties

  • 4 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Recall questions on the ideologies and core values of the Democratic and Republican parties and how they differ on taxation, healthcare, the environment, guns, immigration, abortion, defence and the role of the states.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

What is meant by a party's ideology?

Key term

How do the parties differ on healthcare?

Key term

How do the parties differ on gun policy?

Process

How do the two parties differ on taxation, climate change and immigration?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is meant by a party's ideology?

    Model answer

    A party's ideology is the coherent set of beliefs about the proper role of government and the good society from which its policies flow.

  2. 2

    How would you summarise the ideology of the modern Democratic Party?

    Model answer

    It is broadly liberal or progressive, favouring an active federal government, a stronger safety net, regulation of business and socially liberal positions.

  3. 3

    How would you summarise the ideology of the modern Republican Party?

    Model answer

    It is broadly conservative, favouring limited federal government, lower taxes, deregulation, states' rights, a strong defence and socially traditional positions.

  4. 4

    State the core values of the Democratic Party.

    Model answer

    They are social justice and equality of opportunity, collective provision through government, and the use of federal power to protect minorities and the disadvantaged.

  5. 5

    State the core values of the Republican Party.

    Model answer

    They are individual liberty and self-reliance, free enterprise, traditional morality and religious faith, and a federal government kept within strict limits.

  6. 6

    Compare the two parties on taxation and spending.

    Model answer

    Democrats favour progressive taxation to fund federal programmes, while Republicans favour lower taxes, restraint on federal spending and a smaller state.

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