How to Compare Democrats to Republicans
There are hundreds of historical political parties, but the Republican and Democratic parties have dominated American politics for well over a century. Understanding their fundamental differences is one of the keys to participating in informed citizenship.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Focus your comparisons. Comparing Democrats to Republicans can be an overwhelming task, considering the number of candidates, incumbents, issues and organizations affiliated with each party. Internet search engines alone will provide you with millions of hits on both parties. Narrow your evaluation to the people and issues that matter the most to you.
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2
Read the platforms of the two parties, which are designed to inform you about the basic principles upon which the parties focus their political efforts. The Republican and Democratic platforms can be accessed at their national party websites (see Resources below). Most party members will not agree completely with all platform tenets, but their political beliefs will normally coincide with the overall values represented in the platform. Compare and contrast your personal beliefs with the platforms to get an overall feel for how closely you align with each party.
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3
Look up the voting history of specific candidates and incumbents to evaluate their records. There are numerous websites that show voting records based on specific issues (i.e. fiscal, national defense and environment) and the overall political spectrum (liberal to conservative). Two comprehensive websites are Vote Smart and OnTheIssues.org (see Resources below).
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Research which organizations and prominent individuals have donated large sums to Democratic and Republican candidates and parties. Organizations and donors contribute money to those they believe will best represent their voting interests, so comparing the Republican and Democrat donor lists can inform you about favored party causes. Visit OpenSecrets.org for a comprehensive review of donors by industry and political action committee, along with a list of the top all-time donors (see Resources below).
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Remember that there is no such thing as a cookie-cutter Democrat or Republican. Some Democrats are socially conservative, and some Republicans are socially liberal. Ultimately, it is up to you to compare and evaluate candidates on their individual attributes and stances.
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Tips & Warnings
Check out the platforms of other parties to see how they compare to the Democrats and Republicans. You may discover that you are truly a Libertarian or a Green supporter at heart.
