US Parties

Question 1

Democrat ideology - economic

Answer 1

Big government:

1) extensive federal role in regulation and management of the economy
2) progressive taxation (ended Bush’s joint income tax cuts), equal pay and raising standards through minimum wage (Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 2009)
3) federal supervision of education and health (Affordable Health Care Act 2010, Race to the Top education programme)

Question 2

Democrat ideology - social

Answer 2

Socially liberal:

1) Supports gay rights (repealed don’t ask don’t tell)
2) Supports abortion (reversal of Mexico City policy 2009), gun control;
3) opposes prayer in public schools,
4) opposes death penalty,
5) pro-feminism,
6) Hate crimes prevention act 2009

Question 3

Democrat ideology - foreign policy

Answer 3

1) Dovish, less assertive use of US force
2) Prefers diplomatic solutions (Obama: commitment to Iran talks without pre-conditions 2009, withdrawal of troops from Iraq, leading from behind in Libya, diplomacy instead of Red Line in Syria, “reset relations” with Russia

Question 4

Sum up Democrats

Answer 4

Liberal:

1) Seeks to change political, economic and social status quo
2) Promotes rights and liberties especially for the disadvantaged

Question 5

Republican ideology - economic

Answer 5

Limited government:

1) Tax cuts (Trump wants to cut corporation tax to 20%)
2) Increased defence spending
3) Decreased federal intervention
4) State control
5) Pro-free trade
6) Deregulation

Question 6

Republican ideology - social

Answer 6

Socially conservative:

1) Anti-abortion (trump executive order banning government endorsement of abortion)
2) anti-gun control
3) anti-gay rights (same sex marriage is an assault on society),
4) belief in hard stance on crime – against amnesty to illegal immigrants

Question 7

Republican ideology - foreign policy

Answer 7

Assertive/hawkish:

1) Iraq war
2) Trumps attempt to move troops back into Afghanistan
3) pro-globalisation/protectionism and interventionist