political parties

Question 1

What is ideology in US parties?

Answer 1

• Beliefs/values guiding a party’s policies.

Question 2

What is factionalism?

Answer 2

• Internal divisions within a party, often ideological or regional.

Question 3

What is an example of factionalism

Answer 3

• Within the Republican Party
• MAGA and Establishment Republicans
• e.g. 2020 election, some establishment Republicans
  rejected Trump’s claims of election fraud, while MAGA Republicans promoted them

Question 4

Examples of Democratic factions

Answer 4

• Progressives: Support bold reforms like Medicare for All
• Moderates: Prefer gradual, pragmatic reforms

Question 5

Examples of Republican factions

Answer 5

• MAGA: populist nationalism.
• Establishment: traditional conservatism.

Question 6

What is party decline?

Answer 6

• US parties are weaker due to:
• candidate-led campaigns (e.g. Trump)
• weakened control via primaries
• direct communication through social media.

Question 7

What is party renewal?

Answer 7

• Parties still strong:
• party-line votes (e.g. Obamacare)
• fundraising control
• consistent ideology
• increased turnout (e.g. 67.7% in 2020).

Question 8

How are US parties organised?

Answer 8

• Decentralised
• national/state split.
• No formal leader (e.g. Biden doesn’t run the Democrats).

Question 9

What are the core values of Democrats?

Answer 9

• Social welfare (Obamacare)
• gun regulation
• climate action (Paris Agreement)
• civil rights

Question 10

What are the core values of Republicans?

Answer 10

• Small gov (low tax, deregulation)
• pro-gun
• anti-abortion
• traditional values
• sceptical of climate action (e.g. left Paris Accord).

Question 11

What are key Democratic traditions?

Answer 11

• Liberal on welfare (e.g. ACA)
• loose constitutional interpretation
• northern/urban/secular base.

Question 12

What are key Republican traditions?

Answer 12

• Conservative on welfare (e.g. repeal ACA)
• strict constitutionalism (e.g. pro-gun)
• southern/rural/religious base.

Question 13

How have the parties changed in 50 years?

Answer 13

• Geography: Reps = South, Dems = North.
• Ideology: Dems more progressive, Reps more conservative.
• Polarisation: few moderates.

Question 14

What shows two-party dominance?

Answer 14

• Every president since 1850s = Dem or Rep.
• 98%+ of Congress seats.
• debates require 15% polls

Question 15

Why do third parties struggle?

Answer 15

• FPTP favours the two largest parties
• Third-party candidates must poll 15% nationally to join presidential debates
• Wasted votes as voters fear ‘spoiling the election’

Question 16

what is an example of a significant third parties?

Answer 16

• Ross Perot (1992)
• reform
• won 19% and may have split GOP vote.

Question 17

How do third parties matter?

Answer 17

• Third parties raise issues that big parties may use e.g. green new deal
• third parties can split the vote e.g. Ralph Nader (Green Party) in 2000
• give alternatives to disillusioned voters

Question 18

How are parties united?

Answer 18

• 90%+ party-line voting
• shared pressure group funding (e.g. NRA)
• common values (e.g. abortion/guns).

Question 19

How are parties divided?

Answer 19

• No whips like UK
• primaries = personal platforms
• personality clashes (e.g. Trump vs GOP elite).

Question 20

Causes of factionalism?

Answer 20

• Ideology (e.g. moderates vs progressives)
• geography (e.g. immigration in South)
• personalities (e.g. Trump loyalty).

Question 21

How powerful is the president over their party?

Answer 21

• Has influence (e.g. Trump defined GOP) and controls funding
• but is limited by constitutional separation and possible rebellion (e.g. 10 Reps impeaching Trump).