The Legs of the Platform
One cornerstone of the United States political system has been the two party system. Smaller third parties exist, but they rarely have an affect on who takes power. The two major parties evolved over time. The Democrats of today originated as the anti-Federalists and later became the Democratic-Republicans. Modern Republicans began as the Federalists and later became the Whig Party (Savage). The Republicans and Democrats differ on topics such as taxes, the economy, gay rights, drugs, crime control, abortion, social security, gun control and health care. Regardless of the names the two parties have carried, one party platform advocates for small government, intervening only when absolutely necessary and the other party
…show more content…
According to the Republican Party Platform, Republicans disagree with State laws making marijuana legal. However, Republicans do call for government enforced restrictions on opioid prescriptions and limiting each person to one pharmacy to receive opioids (Republican 40). On the other hand, Democrats call for a pathway to legalization of marijuana and government regulations on the production and sale of marijuana. With regard to other drug related issues, the Democratic Party Platform states, “Democrats will prioritize prevention and treatment over incarceration when tackling addiction and substance use disorder” (36). Therefore, the issue of drug abuse will be a topic up for debate in the …show more content…
Both the Republican Party and Democratic Party advocate restoring of the trust between civilians and law enforcement. However, the two parties often differ on how to achieve this goal. The Republican Party believes the Constitution lays out the rules of law. The Republican Party Platform states, “Two grave problems undermine the rule of law on the federal level: Over-criminalization and over-federalization” (40). This reiterates the Republican Party belief in limited government and strict adherence to the Constitution. The Republican Party believes too many new crimes have been created by the federal government. The Republican Party stands by its belief in the death penalty, citing the Fifth Amendment as the basis for this stance, as a means to deter crime. In addition, the Republican Party believes judges should not have as much discretion when sentencing criminals and should abide by minimum sentencing terms that have been established. Furthermore, the Republican Party Platform calls for mandatory prison time for anyone who inflicts serious harm to a law enforcement officer (39-40). Conversely, The Democrats advocate repealing minimum sentencing guidelines and closing private prisons, leaving only government run prison. In addition, the Democratic Party disagrees with the Constitutionality of the death penalty, as they believe it constitutes “cruel and
To begin with, under Andrew Jackson the Democratic-Republicans took name of Democrats. The two parties, the Whigs and the Democratic Republicans, had generally opposite opinions on many issues. To begin with, their economic beliefs were opposite, especially on the existence of a national bank and the existence of tariffs because of their usual geographical location. The Whigs wanted a strong national bank and high tariffs in order to support their industries and manufacturing in the north. On the other hand, the Democrats wanted low tariffs and state banks because they wanted to ensure they would be able to profit as much as possible from the trading of cotton to foreign countries, as their south had an agriculturally based economy. Furthermore, they had different opinions on the extent of the federal government’s power. The Whigs, who were originally the Federalists, wanted
In the United States there are only two main political parties to choose from. The two main parties are the Democrats and the Republicans. There are also many other political parties to choose from which are called third parties. Third parties may include political parties such as the Socialist Equality Party and the Peace and Equality party. People can choose to be a part of any party they want but most go with the common two main parties the Democrats and Republicans. Democrats and Republicans have many similarities and differences. These mainly occur in international, social, economic, and domestic issues.
The First political parties of the United States were called the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans. These parties were formed in the 1970’s, and although they had no formal national organization, like the later parties eventually would, they had very strong beliefs. The two parties were caused by the debates of the U.S. bank, the balance of state and national powers, and much more. They had opposing views on pretty much everything, such as the government strength, the interpretation of the constitution, etc. The original political parties in America differed in their views of alliances with either the French or the British.
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.
George Washington warned us about the threat of political parties in his farewell speech. Only four years later political parties were apart of the election. These two parties were the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. There are many views that they shared, but also lots of issues they disagree on. For example both parties supported the French Revolution, but only to a certain degree.
“The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by a group of renegade Democrats, Whigs, and political independents who opposed the expansion of Slavery into new U.S. territories and states. What began as a single-issue, independent party became a major political force in the United States. Six years after the new party was formed, Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln won the U.S. presidential election. The Republican Party and its counterpart, the Democratic Party, became the mainstays of the nation's de facto two-party system.” As stated in the free dictionary’s definition of the republican party. The Republican and Democrat parties are opposites on almost every decision they come to. The Republican party is more small government whereas the Democratic party is pro big government.
The two main political parties in the U.S. are the Democratic Party founded by Andrew Jackson and Republican Party founded by anti slavery activist in the northern states. Both of these parties have different views and are the only ones used in the American government since 1952. The electoral
“In spite of the founders’ fears, two major-political factions – the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists were formed even before the Constitution was ratified.” Sidlow, 2015, P 143) Federalists wanted stronger national government and Anti-Federalist (Jefferson Republicans) wanted states’ rights and feared government could become too powerful. In the election of 1796 was the first time candidates from different political party systems held strongly opposed party principles and this time period defined political life as we know it. For the next twenty years the Jefferson Republicans dominated American Politics. In the 1820’s the Jefferson Republicans split into two groups, supporters of Andrews Jackson called their party the Democrats, and the other group called themselves the National Republican Party (Whig Party). During the 1840’s and 1850’s Democrats and Whigs competed for the White House and the two party system fully emerged
The origins of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties can be traced back to the early 1790s. Initially, the Federalists, or broad constructionists, favored the growth of federal power and a strong central government. The Federalists promulgated a loose interpretation of the Constitution, which meant that they believed that the government could do anything by the implied powers of the Constitution or that congress had the right to interpret the Constitution based on connotation. On the contrary, the Democratic-Republicans favored the protection of states’ rights and the strict containment of federal power. The Democratic-Republicans were strict constructionists and they
During the time periods between the 1830s and 1840s, two political parties: the Democratic party and the Whig party had faced the challenges among their ideological differences on the role of federal government in the economy and the westward expansion, but did compromise in certain ways. The one-party system of Monroe’s presidency had led to the creation of a two-party system under the presidency terms of Andrew Jackson. The supporters of President Jackson were known as the Democrats and the supporters of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, rivals of Jackson, came to be known as the Whigs. The Democrats were influenced by Thomas Jefferson, whereas the Whigs were influenced by Alexander Hamilton. The Democrats were in favor of states’ rights and opposed the growth of a powerful central government. Democrats also favored in rapid territorial and external growth. The Whigs were in favor of a stronger federal government that was dominated by Congress. Whigs also favored gradual territorial expansions and internal improvements. In future reference, the Democratic and Whig party created the two political parties in which we see today, the Democratic and Republican Party.
John Adams, one of the founding fathers, wrote that “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution” (“Quote by John Adams”). The Two-Party system has been around since the start of America. The Two-Party system is a system that has two parties that the government, or America in this case, has that lead the government or America. At the current time, the two parties are the Republican and Democrat parties. It was created with the idea that everyone can be represented within either of the parties. Even though it does create some representation of the people, the two-party system does not create an equal policy in society because it does not allow people to get far if they are not within either of the two parties, does not allow the idea of having more than two parties, and because it doesn't represent everyone.
Different parties are formed based on differences of opinions, typically in regards to topics like economy or matters of power of government. During the time period between 1791 and 1833, the two main political parties of the United States were the Federalists and the Republicans. The Federalist party was originally led and based off by the ideals of Alexander Hamilton, and they had a desire for a strong central government and trade rights. Jefferson and the Republicans during this time, on the other hand, were strong advocates for state power against the tyrannical central government. Jefferson’s views changed some during his presidency, as did the views of many of his party. The Federalist party disappeared eventually. As time went on, views
The United States began as a weak, newborn nation that grew into a large, self-supporting country with a governing body unique to this time period. As the government grew and the nation prospered, the rise of leaders and political figures came about and with this, conflicting principles and ideology spawned, thus creating the first of the political parties; the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Although the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans ideology and stances on the power of the federal government, domestic economic policies and the group of constituents they represented differed vastly, members of both parties often compromised their own beliefs for the nation’s best interest as a whole.
Democracy in the United States is based on the indirect representation of the people by elected officials who are usually chosen by direct vote. Almost from the beginning of the United States' history, however, two parties have shared the great majority of the elected positions from the local level to the presidency. However, up until the mid-1850's when the Republican party was formed, other parties such as the Whigs, Federalists, and Anti-Federalists did not last very long. The Democratic Party has existed for much longer, tracing its roots from Thomas Jefferson's Democratic Republican Party beginning around 1792 (Encarta). The two largest parties have changed, third parties have
Since the administration of George Washington two political parties have dominated the United States political system, but they have not always been the same two parties. The first two parties were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Federalists were those who supported a strong federal government and the Anti-Federalists were those who did not. The leaders of the Federalists were Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Both were from the Northeast where the Federalist line of thinking was strongest. Thomas Jefferson became the leader of the Anti-Federalists. These two groups really did not considered themselves parties. The founders feared parties because they thought of them as factions.