Difference between revisions of "Democratic Party"
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| − | The Democratic Party, also occasionally called the "Democrat Party" by George W. Bush[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061030-4.html] and some other conservatives, is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]]. It is generally seen as being on the political left of center, while the rival [[Republican Party]] is positioned to the right of center. It is largely comprised of splinter group coalitions who push each others agendas through [[identity politics]]. | + | The Democratic Party, also occasionally and incorrectly called the "Democrat Party" by George W. Bush[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061030-4.html] and some other conservatives, is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]]. It is generally seen as being on the political left of center, while the rival [[Republican Party]] is positioned to the right of center. It is largely comprised of splinter group coalitions who push each others agendas through [[identity politics]]. |
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Revision as of 15:04, March 23, 2007
The Democratic Party, also occasionally and incorrectly called the "Democrat Party" by George W. Bush[1] and some other conservatives, is one of the two major political parties in the United States of America. It is generally seen as being on the political left of center, while the rival Republican Party is positioned to the right of center. It is largely comprised of splinter group coalitions who push each others agendas through identity politics.
History
The Democratic Party was founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson as a congressional caucus to fight for the Bill of Rights and to oppose the elitist Federalist Party. Ironically in view of the party's image as the "party of the common man", Jefferson was a member of the landed gentry and a slave owner.
In 1798 , the party was officially named the "Democratic-Republican Party", and in 1800 Jefferson was elected as the first Democrat President of the United States. Jefferson served two terms as president with distinction, and was succeeded by another Democrat, James Madison, in 1808 . Madison strengthened America's armed forces and helped to reaffirm American independence by defeating the United Kingdom in the War of 1812. James Monroe, another Democratic-Republican, was elected president in 1816 and led the nation through a time commonly known as "The Era of Good Feeling". In this period, the party dominated American politics with little opposition.
Franklin Roosevelt, president during the Great Depression and Second World War, was a Democrat, as was his successor, Harry Truman.
Policies and criticism
It should be noted that the views of individual Democrats sometimes diverge from the party's official stance as expressed in its national platform. Naturally, the same is true of individual Republicans.
Economic policy
In the field of economic policy, Democrats favor high taxes, higher government spending and a relatively high minimum wage. While they defend these policies as compassionate and socially responsible, people in favor of liberal economics reply that they depress economic growth and stifle enterprise and job creation.
The Democratic Party has historically had ties to organized labor. The National Education Association,[1] the largest union of public school teachers, is a backbone of the party, supplying the largest number of delegates to its national conventions.[Citation Needed]
Foreign and military policy
According to its platform, the Democratic Party has the objective of strengthening America. Democratic national leadership has been accused of being ambivalent about terrorism[2] and insufficiently patriotic.[3]
Environment vs Labor
Two other important coalition groups also find themselves in direct conflict with each other within the Democratic party coalition--Environmentalists and Labour Unions. While environmentalists support efforts like clean air and alternative fuels, for example, this places them directly at odds with the workers of American automoblie manufactures whose jobs and livelihood is threatened by increasing regulations and high costs that lead to cutbacks and layoffs.
Other Policies
Democrats frequently support a woman's right to choose, gun control, homosexual marriage and the seperation of church and state. The Democratic party also supports the environment which, some claim, leads to a loss of jobs and an overall decline in the economy.
Religion
One of the curious coalitions within the Democratic party is the strange alliance between devout African-American Christian believers and avowed atheists who both claim the mantle of "liberal". One reason could be that both of these groups hold a firm belief in the separation of church and state, and therefore keep their personal and religious beliefs to themselves.
Evangelical Christians tend to be associated with the Republican Party. However, both historically and at the present day, Catholic voters have had a tendency to identify with the Democratic Party, and a number of Democrat office-holders, such as Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, are Catholics. On the other hand, several general ideals of the Democratic Party's platform - most notably, the party's overall support for the legality of abortion - are contrary to the position of the Catholic Church.
References