How does the Republican Party differ from the Democratic Party? How do Democrats differ from Republicans?

In the United States there is a multi-party system (there are parties of communists, national socialists, and others), but in practice the country's electorate gives preference to two parties: Democrats and Republicans.

Source: pikabu.ru

A third of all voters vote for Republicans, and Democrats receive about the same number of votes. The remaining votes are the subject of centuries-long bitter struggles during the pre-election period. At this moment, parties are conducting a political campaign to win their supporters, taking into account their race, age, and religious views.

Difference between Republicans and Democrats

There are fundamental differences in the views of both parties. Republicans support the middle class and wealthy Native Americans. On the main positions they defend:

death penalty;
compulsory health insurance;
raising taxes on wealthy citizens.

Democrats are supporters of poor people in the United States who are forced to live on benefits and payments. They are fighting for the following conquests:

ban on the death penalty;
increase in budget expenditures;
taxes on excessively high profits;
free medical care.

The fight between donkeys and elephants: the difference between Democrats and Republicans in the USA

Source: spb-vesti.livejournal.com

Over time, the geographic influence of parties on voters changes dramatically. A few years ago, the Republican Party occupied stable positions in the wealthy industrial region of North America, and the Democrats held leading positions in the southern territories, but over the past fifty years this position has changed greatly:

The Democrats have gained the trust of voters in the northern regions.
Republicans, on the contrary, have taken stable positions in the south of the country.

Despite the anti-slavery initiative of the Republican leader, Abraham Lincoln, African-American citizens of the country are on the side of the Democrats. The rest of the United States does not differ in its adherence to the views of one or another party, but the wealthy segments of the population support the Republicans, and the working class supports the Democratic Party.

Republican Party in the USA

Source: zocalopublicsquare.org The symbol of the Republican Party, which was created in 1854, was the red elephant, the image of which was introduced into American politics by Nast in November 1847 (7th) in the Harpes Weekly magazine. Three days after the Democrats won the majority of seats in the House of Congress, a cartoon by Nast appeared, ridiculing them, depicting the Republican party as an elephant. The elephant was heading towards the pit to escape from the donkey, who had dressed himself in the skin of a lion. Chasing the donkey in the image was the New York Herald, which wrote that Republican President Ulysses Grant fancied himself Caesar, seeking to assume the presidency for a third time. Since that time, the elephant symbol has been assigned to the Republicans.

The most famous and popular Republican presidents include:

George W. Bush (Jr.);
George Bush;
Gerald Ford;
Theodore Roosevelt;
Benjamin Harrison;
Abraham Lincoln.

The blue donkey is the unofficial symbol of the Democratic Party.

Source: hppr.org

The blue donkey became the symbol of the Democratic Party, formed in 1828 by Andrew Jackson. In information about the activities of the Democratic Party, the media use his image as a symbol. His appearance is associated with a cartoon by Thomas Nast that appeared in 1870 (January 15) in Haspers Weekly magazine. The artist painted the figure of a dead lion and a blue donkey.

This image became a political commentary on the position of the Democrats associated with the unexpected death of M. Stanton (former Secretary of War in the government of Edwin Lincoln). Under the image, which received great resonance, the author placed an inscription referring to the deceased ruler, who was subjected to a whole waterfall of unacceptable printed articles from the Democrats. It was very reminiscent of the scene in which “a live donkey kicks a dead lion.” The image is consistent with the well-known saying that “a living donkey is better than a dead lion.”

Since the 60s of the twentieth century, the party has paid much attention to strengthening the role of the state in the following areas:

healthcare;
social protection of US citizens.

15 US presidents have been elected from the Democratic Party:

Andrew Jackson;
Martin Van Buren;
James Knox Polk;
Franklin Pierce;
James Buchanan;
Andrew Johnson;
Grover Cleveland;
Woodrow Wilson;
Franklin Roosevelt;
Harry Truman;
John Kennedy;
Lyndon Johnson;
Jimmy Carter;
Bill Clinton;
Barack Obama.

The main features of the US political system include stability and conservatism. The most popular parties include Republicans and Democrats. Recent sociological research has recently shown that the differences in beliefs and attitudes between both parties have become much greater than those of race, gender and age across the country.

The Democratic headquarters are located in (District of Columbia). According to the latest data, the party's ranks include 43 million people. It is characterized by ease of adaptation to various conditions. This is considered the reason why the democratic movement has been one of the main political forces in the country for several centuries. The main principles of the movement are:

liberal socialist beliefs;
cosmopolitanism;
centrism;
multiculturalism;
tolerance;
progressivism.

According to the basic party principles, since the 30s of the last century, Democrats have taken progressive socially liberal positions, uniting in the party ranks:

centrists;
liberals;
progressives.

The predominance of progressivism and liberalism in the beliefs of Democrats, which appeared in the 60s of the twentieth century, changed the geography of its voter support. The activity of support for the party in the southeastern part of the United States, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, has changed. Support for the party is more active:

major cities of all regions;
Pacific coast (together with the island);
the Great Lakes region;
northeastern regions (Mid-Atlantic states and New England).

The second most important political force in the United States is the Republican Party. The main principles of the movement include liberalism and conservatism. In the 19th century, the Republican Party owed its popularity to the fight against slavery, which was overcome. But today she is neutral on racial issues, remaining conservative.

The US political system is characterized by stability and conservatism. The two most popular parties - Republicans and Democrats - have ruled the roost here for a century and a half. What are the main differences between these political forces, and is there any significant difference between them at all?

Definition

Democrats- representatives of the oldest US political party currently represented in Congress, the main principles of which are liberal socialist views. Founded in the first half of the 19th century, the movement is highly adaptable and is one of the key forces influencing the development of America. Barack Obama, the current US President, belongs to this party.

Republicans- representatives of the second major political party in the United States, the main principles of which are conservatism and liberalism. The political force made its popularity and name in the fight against slavery: it was through its efforts that this relic of the past was overcome in the 19th century. Subsequently, the party was rather cool about the fight for equal rights with African Americans, maintaining conservative positions.

Comparison

The social base of this party is the poorest segments of the population, as well as people living on welfare (well-fare). Another important difference is the attitude towards the death penalty. Republicans consider its preservation necessary, while Democrats are in favor of a moratorium on its use. The symbol of the Democrats is a blue donkey, the symbol of the Republicans is a red elephant.

Conclusions website

Ideology. Democrats are on the left (social liberalism), Republicans are on the center and right.
Electoral base. The middle class and the wealthiest citizens predominantly vote for the Republicans, while the poorest segments of the population, African Americans, and housewives vote for the Democrats.
Political Views. Republicans advocate strengthening the economy, ending Obama's health care reform, and aggressive policies, while Democrats advocate further increasing the tax burden and increasing the budget deficit.
Emblem and informal name. The unofficial symbol of the Republicans is the elephant, the color is red, and the Democrats have a donkey and the color blue.

There are two parties - Republicans and Democrats in the USA, the difference between them became the topic of my recent conversation with an acquaintance. Perhaps this topic will be interesting to you too. The political system of the United States of America is quite conservative and stable. For a century and a half now, two popular parties have been “running the show” - the Republicans and the Democrats, in turn, each of them consists of different political “trends”.
Let's figure out what these parties are, whether there is a difference between them, and how significant it is.
Democrats are members of the Democratic Party, the oldest party represented in the US Congress today. Based on the principles of the party, the American Democratic Party is called liberal socialist. It was founded in the first half of the 19th century. Perfectly adaptable to any conditions, the Democratic Party is an important key force in the development of America. Barack Obama belongs to this party.
Republicans are representatives of the Republican Party, the most important political force in the United States. The main principles of the Republicans are conservatism and liberalism. The party's prominence as a political force dates back to the time of the fight against slavery; largely through the efforts of the Republicans, this relic of the past was overcome in the 19th century. But, if we talk about further work, the Republicans were not particularly zealous in the fight for equal rights for whites and African Americans.
Difference between US Republicans and Democrats
It is obvious that the political views of the two parties differ significantly.
Republicans are conservatives, their ideal is the America of the founding fathers (you have perseverance, skill, intelligence - the state should give you the opportunity to independently achieve what you want). Democrats are liberals who believe that time moves and changes are needed, and the government should take care of people.
Representatives of the Republican Party advocate the same amount of taxes for everyone, because everyone is equal. Their electorate is native Americans, the middle class, the richest people in the United States.
Democrats advocate increasing taxes for the rich and increasing budget spending. The electoral base is the poorest segments of the population and those who live on welfare (well-fare).
Democrats advocate increasing spending on various social programs (budget housing, food stamps). Republicans advocate cutting these programs and note that some work "under the table" and receive coupons under the guise of being low-income, and many are not motivated to look for work at all because they receive unemployment benefits. They all live at the expense of taxpayers.
Democrats are pro-choice - the right of women to have an abortion. Republicans are “pro-life” - for the rights of unborn children, against abortion.
Representatives of the Republican Party defend the rights of companies (employers), and the Democratic Party defends the rights of trade unions.
Democrats rely, among other things, on immigrants and minorities, and actively advocate for gay rights. Republicans limit themselves to the "white Christian" electorate, believing that unskilled migrants are a burden to the country. Republicans are absolutely against same-sex marriage.
Prosperity versus growth. Republicans prioritize economic growth, Democrats prioritize social security.
Democrats recognize government regulation, Republicans are supporters of the free market.
Among the most important differences is the attitude towards the death penalty. Democrats are voting for a moratorium on its use, while Republicans believe the death penalty should be retained.
The Republican majority has a tough view on the drug problem. Democrats in the majority have an ambivalent attitude towards this problem. Regarding their attitude towards war, officially both parties are zealous militarists. But everything is not “absolute”; they often start pointing fingers in each other’s direction if something happens somewhere.
Difference Between Democrats and Republicans - Key Differences
The important difference is in ideology. Democrats “preach” social liberalism (left-wing positions), Republicans are on center-right positions.
The second difference is the electorate. Representatives of the middle class and the wealthiest citizens, as a rule, vote for Republicans. The poorest citizens, housewives, and African Americans vote for the Democrats.
The third difference is political views. Democrats are in favor of further increasing the tax burden and increasing the budget deficit. Republicans are for strengthening the economy and ending the reform in medicine that Obama began.
Well, and the paraphernalia. The unofficial symbol of the Republicans is the elephant, the color is red. The symbol of the Democrats is a donkey, the color is blue.
One more point to think about. What do each of these political parties believe in? Democrats believe in rights (every person has the right to medicine, benefits, etc.). Republicans continue to believe in privilege, that is, “you can only have what you have earned and can afford.”
From the first popular election (1860) until 1932, presidential politics were ruled primarily by Republicans (8 Republican presidents versus 3 Democratic over the years). Next, the Great Depression gave rise to thirty-six years of Democratic rule (at that time there was only one Republican president, Eisenhower, and even he could not make up his mind at first). And then - the Vietnam War, and the Republicans came to power with President Nixon for almost forty years, if we exclude the rule of the Democrat Clinton.
The global economic crisis of 2008 and the complexities of geopolitics are currently again turning the picture of the arrangement of parties on the political chessboard of America.
How can one not recall the presidential elections in America, where he unexpectedly won for everyone?

Once every four years, political life in the United States reaches its peak of activity: Americans elect the country's president. The main candidates are nominated by two parties - Democratic and Republican. These are not the only, but the most influential parties in the country.

Although the Democratic and Republican parties date back to the 19th century, they are different from many traditional political groups. One of the features is the broad social base of both parties. It cannot be said about them, as is often done with regard to well-known European parties, that these are organizations of the big or petty bourgeoisie, workers or peasants. Both parties are supported by people of very different social status.

Both parties do not have formal membership (with tickets, membership fees, etc.), a centralized structure, or long-term political programs. These are parties of voters. Their main task is the struggle for power during elections.

The national Democratic and Republican conventions typically convene during a presidential election year to approve the campaign platform and candidates for president and vice president. At the same time, no “confusion and vacillation” is allowed; the party nominates only one candidate for each post. The personality of the nominated candidate plays a big role in the outcome of the struggle; voters often vote not so much for the party as for the future leader of the country. Therefore, for example, in 1948, both parties, according to historians, “courted” D. Eisenhower, who had gained fame during the war, persuading him to become a presidential candidate. The general, who had previously not supported any of the parties at all, refused. Only in 1952 were the Republicans, who had been in opposition for 20 years, won over to their side, and Eisenhower won the election with a huge majority of votes.

While both parties serve primarily as part of the electoral mechanism and reflect in their programs the political situation that has developed at the time of the elections, their positions on a number of issues differ markedly. Democrats, who were always supported by broad sections of the population, in the 20th century. often acted as supporters of state regulation of the economy, reforms, and flexible social policy. Republicans, who traditionally occupied more conservative positions, defended the ideals of individualism, private enterprise, and defended a free market economy.

The coming to power of representatives of one or another party determined changes in the political course in the United States10. At the end of World War II, the Democrats were in power (G. Truman); in 1953-1961. - Republicans (D. Eisenhower), in 1961 -1969. - Democrats (J. Kennedy, JI. Johnson), in 1969-1977. - Republicans (R. Nixon, J. Ford), in 1977-1981. - Democrats (J. Carter), 1981-1993 - Republicans (R. Reagan, G. Bush), in 1993-2001. - Democrats (W. Clinton), in 2001-2008. - Republicans (G. Bush Jr.), since 2009 the president has been Democrat B. Obama.

The fact that representatives of different segments of the population cast their votes for both parties not only does not reduce, but, on the contrary, intensifies the struggle for the “average voter.” All means are used. During the 1972 election campaign, Republican agents were detained who entered the headquarters of the Democratic Party in Washington (it was located in a building complex called “Watergate”). A year later, this episode became public, and an investigation began. The Watergate affair and a series of other revelations forced Republican President R. Nixon to resign in 1974.

A distinctive feature of the American political system is that the significant powers of the country's president, who heads the executive branch, are balanced by a system of “checks and balances.” This means that the legislative (Congress) and judicial authorities (Supreme Court) have the opportunity, in accordance with the procedure established by the constitution, to suspend or cancel the implementation of the president’s decisions and put forward their own initiatives.

An example of such a situation was the adoption in 1947, under Democratic President Henry Truman, of the far from democratic Taft-Hartley Act, which limited the political and strike activities of trade unions and deprived them of a number of rights won in the 1930s. In the same year, persecution began against representatives of individual political parties and public organizations, government officials, and even Hollywood figures on charges of “anti-American” and “subversive” activities. First of all, people with communist and anti-fascist convictions were brought to justice. This course was continued on a larger scale under D. Eisenhower.

In 1953-1954. Over 8 thousand “suspicious” employees were dismissed from government agencies. A rampant anti-communist campaign was launched by Senator J. McCarthy, who saw enemies and traitors to the nation everywhere. On his initiative, a high-profile investigation into “espionage in the army” began; the tribunal’s sessions were broadcast on television every day for a month. The senator's supporters called for the burning of "inappropriate" books. McCarthyism became the personification of an extremely reactionary, anti-democratic policy. The Senate was forced to convict McCarthy for "conduct contrary to Senate ethics."

A special place in the history of the United States of the second half of the 20th century. occupied by those presidents whose activities marked a turn in the political life of the country. One of them is J. Kennedy.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) was born into a wealthy businessman family. Graduated from the prestigious Harvard University. During World War II, he volunteered for the navy and took part in combat operations in the Pacific Ocean. After the war, he became involved in political activities and was elected to the US Congress in 1947. Being a newcomer to politics, J. Kennedy had no connections in the Democratic Party. The decisive role in his career was played by the support of the “Kennedy clan” (John was the second of nine children in a family that had a significant

J. Kennedy (left) and R. Nixon during the election campaign

condition and influence in the northeastern states). The team of assistants to the ambitious and energetic senator included intellectuals - graduates of Harvard University, and people with great organizational skills. In the 1960 presidential election, J. Kennedy defeated the Republican candidate R. Nixon. True, the majority of votes in his favor was minimal. Therefore, the fate of the young president depended to a large extent on the nature of his policies.

Upon coming to power, Kennedy proclaimed a policy of “new frontiers.” It was about strengthening the domestic position and international positions of the United States. One of the main tasks was to accelerate the rate of economic growth, while the state controlled the level of prices and wages. In the sphere of industrial relations, the ideas of “class cooperation” were supported. Considering that as a result of the automation of production, unemployment increased during that period, the government increased spending on assistance to the unemployed, and also supported retraining programs and additional training for workers.

J. Kennedy attached particular importance to improving secondary and higher education. He said, “We're going to double the number of students going to college between 1960 and 1970. This means that we need to build as many college buildings in 10 years as we have built in the past 160 years... We cannot maintain our industrial, military, scientific and social power without well-educated citizens. The federal government has a role to play in this regard.” Scientific and technical achievements of the USSR during that period played a significant role in advancing such tasks. One of the creators of the American nuclear bomb, E. Teller, emphasized: “The progress of Russia has aroused admiration for communist methods... The Soviet Union won the great battle in school classrooms... I think that in ten years Russia will be a generally recognized leader in the field of science... If If we do not act immediately to educate our children, preparing them for the task of restoring the scientific leadership of the United States, I have no doubt that by the end of the century the world will be rebuilt according to the plans of the Communists, and not according to our ideas."

“New frontiers” were also outlined in foreign policy. Kennedy criticized the doctrines of "massive retribution" against communist regimes and "liberation of Eastern Europe." But he was not going to give up the military-political superiority of the United States in the world, believing that it should be ensured by building up the country’s military potential and a policy of “flexible response.” Under J. Kennedy, US military spending reached $60 billion a year, whereas before that, under D. Eisenhower, who was a professional military man, they amounted to $40 billion annually. The atmosphere of the threat of an atomic attack was heightened in the country with a hundred

6 General History, 9 m.

rons of the USSR, in 1961 the government proposed to begin building shelters everywhere (including individual ones for each family). The matter was not limited to defense measures. In April 1961, an armed invasion of Cuba by 1,400 American mercenaries, prepared by the CIA, was carried out. It ended in complete failure.

In October 1962, the so-called Cuban Missile Crisis occurred. It arose due to the deployment of Soviet medium-range missiles in Cuba. Kennedy, in an ultimatum, threatening to use thermonuclear weapons, demanded that the Soviet leadership remove the missiles. The world was on the brink of war. In this situation, two leaders, J. Kennedy and N. S. Khrushchev, managed to take one step from the edge of the abyss and resolve the conflict through negotiations. Soviet missiles were removed from Cuba.

Apparently, this incident became some lesson. Soon, J. Kennedy said in one of his speeches: “Let's reconsider our position regarding the Soviet Union... It is not at all required that neighbors love each other, it is only required that they be mutually tolerant.” In August 1963, a representative of the American government signed an international treaty in Moscow banning nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, space and under water. The emerging balance in the president's positions was not supported by all Americans. Far-right extremist groups (Ku Klux Klan, John Birch Society, etc.) accused him of betraying national interests.

On November 22, 1963, during a trip to the city of Dallas in Texas, President J. Kennedy was assassinated (a few days later his assassin JI. Oswald was also shot). Investigations into the circumstances of the Kennedy assassination have never produced a clear and convincing conclusion as to whether it was the work of a lone fanatic or the result of a conspiracy.

Kennedy's successor as president is Democrat JI. Johnson, acting under the slogan of creating a “great society” in the United States, carried out a number of social reforms that improved the situation of the poorest segments of the population. At the same time, in 1965, he sent American troops to Vietnam. By the beginning of 1969, there were already about 550 thousand US military personnel there. The brutal war that American troops waged against the Vietnamese people for almost ten years ended in the greatest defeat in US history (for more on this war, see § 22-24).

The president whose name was associated with another turn in the post-war history of the United States was R. Reagan.

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was born into a merchant family. After graduating from a liberal arts college, he briefly acted as a sports commentator and then became a film actor in Hollywood. During F. Roosevelt's presidency he was a supporter of the Democratic Party, but after the war he switched to the Republican side. His ultra-conservative positions and great oratorical abilities earned him the support of influential businessmen and Republican politicians. On their recommendation, in the mid-1970s, he entered the fight for the presidency.

R. Reagan was elected president of the country in 1980 (re-elected for a second term in 1984). His policies were called the "conservative revolution." He abandoned the tactics of state regulation of the economy and social compromise adopted by Democratic presidents since the time of F. Roosevelt. Reagan's policy was aimed at increasing production by activating entrepreneurship in a free market economy. To achieve this, income taxes were reduced (from which large corporations benefited primarily), social spending was reduced - on education, medicine, pensions, etc. (in 1981 -1984 their share in the state budget fell from 53.4 up to 48.9%).

M. S. Gorbachev and R. Reagan during a meeting in Reykjavik. 1986

Like all neoconservatives, R. Reagan advocated strengthening the US military position in the world. His administration put forward the task of modernizing US strategic weapons, and then the “Strategic Defense Initiative” (SDI), called the “Star Wars” program. The share of military spending in the state budget increased from 23% in 1980 to 27% in 1985.

However, the development of international relations is determined by the positions of many countries. It so happened that the course of the neoconservatives towards exacerbating the confrontation with the Soviet Union began to change in the second half of the 1980s. The concept of “new political thinking” in international relations put forward by the Soviet leadership played a decisive role in this. R. Reagan, who had previously called the Soviet country an “evil empire,” as a result of a series of meetings and negotiations with M. S. Gorbachev, agreed to conclude an agreement on the destruction by both powers of part of their nuclear weapons. The turn in Soviet-American relations that began during that period subsequently affected relations between the Russian Federation and the United States. 3.

Democrats- representatives of the oldest US political party currently represented in Congress, the main principles of which are liberal socialist views.

Founded in the first half of the 19th century, the movement is highly adaptable and is one of the key forces influencing the development of America. Barack Obama, the current US President, belongs to this party.
Republicans- representatives of the second major political party in the United States, the main principles of which are conservatism and liberalism. The political force made its popularity and name in the fight against slavery: it was through its efforts that this relic of the past was overcome in the 19th century. Subsequently, the party was rather cool about the fight for equal rights with African Americans, maintaining conservative positions.

Difference between Democrats and Republicans

So, the political views of both parties differ, and very significantly. Republicans advocate increasing the national debt, compulsory health insurance, and increasing taxes on the rich. Accordingly, their electoral base is the middle class, the richest people in the United States, and native Americans. Democrats are strongly opposed: give them free healthcare with compulsory medical insurance, increased budget spending, and the introduction of taxes on excess profits.
The social base of this party is the poorest segments of the population, as well as people living on welfare (well-fare). Another important difference is the attitude towards the death penalty. Republicans consider its preservation necessary, while Democrats are in favor of a moratorium on its use. The symbol of the Democrats is a blue donkey, the symbol of the Republicans is a red elephant.

So, the difference between Democrats and Republicans is as follows:

Ideology. Democrats are on the left (social liberalism), Republicans are on the center and right.
Electoral base. The middle class and the wealthiest citizens predominantly vote for the Republicans, while the poorest segments of the population, African Americans, and housewives vote for the Democrats.
Political Views. Republicans advocate strengthening the economy, ending Obama's health care reform, and aggressive policies, while Democrats advocate further increasing the tax burden and increasing the budget deficit.
Emblem and informal name. The unofficial symbol of the Republicans is the elephant, the color is red, and the Democrats have a donkey and the color blue.