5.2 Key ideas and principles of Republicans and Democrats

Question 1

Social and moral issues that they have clashed over (2)

Answer 1

-Civil Rights Movement, esp after Civil Rights Act (1964)
-Abortion
-lgbt rights

Question 2

Democrats on economic policy

Answer 2

greater government intervention and expenditure to provide welfare services and regulation

Question 3

Republicans on economic policy

Answer 3

More restricted view on government policy.
Emphasis personal responsibility and personal freedom from government control

Question 4

Democrats on social welfare (2)

Answer 4

-argue that the economic system provides a structure that does not promote the interests of everyone
- so the government has a responsibility to intervene to provide a better life for everyone

Question 5

Republicans on social welfare (2)

Answer 5

-emphasising personal responsibility and criticising the government’s role as an
infringement on individual freedom
- have accepted the need for some welfare provision but want it restricted

Question 6

How are parties weak in the USA (2)

Answer 6

-They lack strong leadership
-Tend to have great diversity of views and policy

Question 7

What are factions

Answer 7

Subgroups and ideological wings of a certain party

Question 8

What are the factions of the Democrat Party (3)

Answer 8

-Moderates
-Liberals
-Conservatives

Question 9

What are Moderate democrats

Answer 9

Identify with centrism and compromise, esp in areas of the economy and welfare.

Question 10

What are Liberal democrats

Answer 10

Represent more radical, left-wing elements of the party
-More determined in using the federal government to achieve social justice

Question 11

What are Conservative democrats

Answer 11

‘Blue Dogs’ are conservative on moral issues, such as religion and guns, whilst disagreeing with Rep. views on trade and tax

Question 12

What are the Republican factions

Answer 12

-Social conservatives
-Fiscal conservatives
-Moderate conservatives

Question 13

What are social conservatives

Answer 13

-Favour traditional views on social and moral issues
-Generally anti-abortion and anti-immigration
-Emphasise law and order

Question 14

What are fiscal conservatives (3)

Answer 14

-Favour limited government intervention in the economy (laissez-faire)
-Argue for low tax and freedom trade
-Seen in the Freedom caucus of the party

Question 15

What are moderate republicans

Answer 15

-Are fiscally conservative but are more liberal members of the party
-Also known as RINOs