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Republican Party:

The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), is one of the two major political parties in the United States. They're traditionally more conservative. Their symbol is the elephant, and their color is red. When voting for a republican, they'll have a (R) next to their name. 

Traditionally, Republicans support:

  • Laissez-faire capitalism is an economic system characterized by minimal government involvement. 

  • Lower taxes.

  • Conservative social policies are usually more traditional. 

  • Supports the state having more power than the national government.

  • Strong military and immigration policies. 

  • Strong U.S. border control is part of the immigration policies.

  • Individual economic freedom without government involvement. 

  • Religion being used in government and being taught and practiced in schools.

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Republicans oppose:

  • Gun-control legislation

  • More government-funded social programs can include schools, libraries, etc.

Disclaimer: NOT ALL REPUBLICANS BELIEVE IN OR SUPPORT ALL OF THESE. THIS IS GENERAL INFORMATION OF WHAT THEY TEND TO SUPPORT

Political Parties Infoguide:

Democrat Party:

The Democratic Party is one of the two major parties in the United States, characterized by a donkey and the color blue. The party is also highly decentralized, meaning that many of the representatives live all around the country. When voting a democrat, they'll have a (D) next to their name. 

Traditionally, Democrats support:

  • Strong federal government over a strong state or local government.

  • Having powers to regulate business and industry in the public interest.

  • Financing social services and benefits for the poor, unemployed, and aged.

  • Protecting the rights of citizens and social freedom/equality.

  • Internationalism and multilateralism, which involve collaboration with other countries.

  • Affirmative action, which eliminates any laws that discriminate against people, to bring equality to the system.

  • Liberal views, which are more modern political views and actions.

  • Supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Gun control legislation.

  • Higher tax rates that support the public services they want to provide.

  • Allowing more immigrants to live in the U.S.


 

The Democrats oppose:

  • Organized church vs state prayer at public schools.

  • Extreme control of U.S. borders and immigration policies.

  • The upper class paying lower taxes than the lower and middle classes.

Disclaimer: NOT ALL DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IN OR SUPPORT ALL OF THESE. THIS IS GENERAL INFORMATION OF WHAT THEY TEND TO SUPPORT

Third Parties:

Third parties support a more specific government issue. Not many third party representatives are in office. The representatives who run for office normally take away votes for people running for the Democrats and Republicans. For example, the Green Party, whose values represent environmental values, take away votes from Democratic candidates because they both tend to have liberal views.

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The main third parties in the U.S.:

  • The Green Party, which supports the environment

  • The Liberation Party, which advocates for minimal government intervention, individual liberty, and free-market capitalism

  • The Constitution Party, which advocates for a strict interpretation of the Constitution and emphasizes religious and conservative values

  • The Forward Party, which focuses on moving beyond conservative or more traditional values

 


Further reading on Third Parties:

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/political-science/third-party-politics

 

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-political-participation/us-gov-third-party-politics/a/lesson-summary-third-party-politics 

 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/politics-july-dec04-third_parties?scrlybrkr=0df23831&extn=true

 

https://2021-2025.state.gov/briefings-foreign-press-centers/elections-2024/third-parties-in-elections/

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