Analysis Of Liz Marlante's Beliefs Of Political Parties

The very first U.S. president, George Washington, once declared the danger of political division, warning “they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines.” He continues his claim with an explanation of the negative effects that parties can cause in government. Despite this wise, respected man’s heeding, the U.S. has quite obviously split into two major parties, Republican and Democratic. Americans have allowed their personal opinions and preconceived notions to jeopardize the efficiency of government. It seems that the title of a party overpowers the importance of individual ideas. A 2014 poll further emphasizes contemporary idiocy. According to a National Science Foundation study, only three out of four Americans are aware the Earth revolves around the sun. Despite the conclusive and extensive scientific research regarding the topic, these people are entirely unaware of their insignificance in this universe, solidifying their knucklehead status. Ignoring the facts, their preconceived conclusions run their lives Even in a day and age with unbelievable technology and access to information, humans, especially Americans, have armed themselves with nothing but firearms and

In the 2001 article “One Nation, Slightly Divisible”, David Brooks argues that the United States is not a divided nation, but rather a “cafeteria nation”, composed of different cliques of people with similar views. Brooks acknowledges the various theories created to explain why America is divided. Although some, more-so liberals, may believe that vast financial differences between the different socioeconomic classes make way for this divide, others, especially conservatives, insinuate that America is divided between two “moral” systems. This second theory argues that Red America adheres to its traditional, religious, and self-disciplined views, while Blue America reflects more modern, secular, and self-expressive views. In more rural areas,

Abortion, school prayer, gay rights, gun politics and many more are all a part of the list of controversies that divide our country. A culture war is a conflict between groups with different ideals, beliefs, and issues. James Davison Hunter’s book, Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America, shows that these issues “are not isolated from one another but are part of a fabric of conflict which constitutes nothing short of a struggle over the meaning of America. Unlike the religious and cultural conflict that historically divided the nation, the contemporary culture war is fought along new and, in many ways, unfamiliar lines” (Hunter). Hunter argued that two definable polarities existed in the major issues of the war. The new shift in

Because culture conflicts sells, journalism in our country has taken to publicizing exaggerated culture differences. Extreme voices have come to dominate American political discourse which has only fed into the concept of a divided country, even making it look like one half of our country hates the other half. The culture divide is based on party differences between republicans and democrats. In reality the cultural differences between democrats and republicans are far less dramatic than I would have guessed. Party affiliation is based on factors like age, Youth are generally more likely to vote liberal and the older generation more likely to vote conservative. Religion, protestants usually vote republican and catholics usually vote democrat. Economic status, historically this has meant wealthy individuals vote republican.The fact that about 2/3rd of voters vote for the party of their parent seems to be the most definite determiner of party affiliation . (Hewson, Jacqueline) Real differences in political opinion is very subtle accross party lines. For example in many ways red and blue states have similar opinions. In blue states 36% of voters identify as democrat while in red states 26% are self proclaimed democrats. In blue states 32% of voters believe government is always wasteful and inefficient while in red states 44% hold this opinion. Solid majorities in both red and blue states support protecting the environment whatever it may

Generally speaking, anyone who lives in the United States of America knows that there are two main political parties—the Republicans and the Democrats. Having two main parties has its advantages and, of course, its disadvantages. For example, in By the People James E. Monroe and Rogan Kersh (301) point out having this type of system creates “predictability and stability.” However, they also declare (301) it can “lead to a gridlock.” This is not a new concept either as there has been a divide since the beginning of both parties. The two parties more often than not disagree on various issues, while rarely agreeing on what is best for the country.

The United States has maintained its two party system for some time, but the major parties have not always been so clearly separated. In the early and mid-twentieth century, polarization was actually declining, as there was much ideological overlap between the members of the two parties (Kuo). Many people, such as conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans, rested in the ideological middle. Additionally, each party represented a coalition of diverse interests. At

Political ideas, beliefs, institutions, party systems, and alignments have developed and changed during the American

In the book, Culture War?, by Morris Fiorina, the myth of a polarized America is exposed. Fiorina covers issues such as why Americans believe that America is polarized, that Red and Blue State people aren’t as different as they are made out to be, and that the United States is not polarized along traditional cleavage lines. This book even covers perspectives on abortion, homosexuality, and whether or not electoral cleavages have shifted. A large point of Fiorina’s is his take on the 2004 election. He ends the book with, how did our great nation get to this position of proclaimed polarization, and how do we improve from here?

In the United States we are divided by the left and right side on the political spectrum; even further divided into political parties such as Republicans, on the right, and Democrats, on the left side. These two political parties show philosophical differences through their viewpoints on major topics such as the economy, separation of church and state, abortion, and gun control.

Amidst the past eight years of lackluster economic advancement, America’s prowess and respect declining worldwide, increasing government involvement in daily lives, and a President seemingly unwilling to take a solid stance on a the global threat of terrorism, the transfer of power between political parties in the White House is not so stunning. Due to the two-party system, this is not an unprecedented phenomenon. The American people are constantly seeking a political party to garner their attention and adapt to changing times, opinions, demographics, and attitudes (Cohen) and this results in the alternation of power between the two key political parties.

Since the writing of the United States Constitution, the American government has been structured in a way that only truly allows for two parties. Of course there are numerous other smaller parties, however, the key is that these parties are smaller. The most successful way to become elected to a position in the American governmental structure is to have the backing of the Democratic or Republican Party. Over the two-hundred-year history of the United States the parties have changed names and fundamentally altered their core believes. Today, the distinction has become quite clear as the rise of polarization forces a clear, concise difference between the two parties. The Democrats must uphold the liberal ideals while the Republican Party carters to those of a conservative

The author’s begins by observing that political parties were speculated to be non-existent in America. Its founders were certain that the parties would create rifts

In a democracy citizens are to hold elected officials accountable for their actions in order to ensure delegates are doing what is expected of them. American citizens seem to be living well off enough that they are callous when considering the large problems that other citizens face. A lack in sympathy between citizens conjoined with contradicting social and religious views has created a retrenchment of followership in America. In order for political leaders to gather a large following, their followers must unite over some type of idea imperative in their lives. Unfortunately, Americans report a growing rancor between Democrats and Republicans according to the pew research center, with more than twice as many party members reporting members of the opposite party as unfavorable in 2014 than in 1994. The bipartisan divide has led political leaders to only be able to amass small followings amongst members of their

“The Culture War is a clash of ideas about what one believes to be true, and others with different viewpoints” (The Cultural War). In each political election held, one is given the impression that it is almost as if it is a duel between the liberals of the left and the conservatives of the right, with each side desiring differing and contravening approaches to the treatment of the United States. This “war for the soul of America” seems as if it will not end anytime soon, leaving both sides empty handed from implementing their beliefs and practices into society. For example, homosexuality has been immensely disputed between liberals and conservatives. Due to the two spectrums being nowhere in relation to each other, a victor cannot be determined, and unless the liberals and conservatives can shape their agendas to appease their opponent, there never will be.

Any statement that begins with “There are two types of people…” ought to be met with criticism. People aren’t that simple. But the current system of American politics undermines this, tugging at a few major core values that tend to separate people into precisely two groups: liberals and conservatives. Even the most historically beloved and supported president, Theodore Roosevelt, was denied another term upon campaigning for a third (“middle”) party. Political stratification always induces disagreement, but the late trend escalades dissent to detriment.