The Democratic and the Republican parties are the two major political parties in the U.S. The two parties have dominated the political landscape in the U.S. for centuries. The Democratic party was formed in 1828 making it one the oldest political parties in the world. On the other hand, the Republican party was formed in 1854 and is still the main opposition to the Democratic party. The two parties have similar views on some issues but also have very diverse views on issues such as policy outcomes, voters, and election outcomes. Nevertheless, both the Democratic and Republican Parties play a significant role in the country’s political landscape and their influence will always be meaningful and exceptional.
One of the primary areas of difference between contemporary Democrats and Republicans is on the subject of immigration. A significant number of people have immigrated to the US and have been in an issue that has attracted different opinions from both Democrats and Republicans. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs states that Republicans have a 78% chance to view immigration as a potential risk while Democrats have a 19% chance (3). The research further states that Republicans have a high chance of considering and adopting strict immigration policies like arrests and deportations, unlike the Democrats. Therefore, immigration plays a big role in the difference between Republicans and Democrats.
In addition, gun control is another subject that creates a difference between contemporary Democrats and Republicans. Luca and colleagues assert that in States led by Republican legislatures, if there is a mass shooting, there is an increase in laws that loosen gun restrictions however, in States with Democrat legislators, there is no significant effect of mass shootings in laws relating to gun control (1). The information further illustrates how the Democrats and Republicans have different views on the issue of gun control.
Furthermore, the difference between Democrats and Republicans is shown in their views on the subject of trade. Friedrichs and Gordon assert that both the Republicans and Democrats are divided on the subject of free and fair trade (1). Also, Democrats believe the economy should work for everybody while Republicans are of the view that when markets are free individual prosperity is what will lead to the success of the economy. Such views are important since they will influence the politics of the country.
Moreover, the subject of the death penalty also demonstrates the difference between contemporary Democrats and Republicans. The death penalty is mostly done through lethal injection as it is the most widely used method of execution. Niven and colleagues believe that Republicans view the death penalty as racially fair and justified while Democrats have a contrary view that there is racial disparity in the death penalty proceedings (6). Hence the subject of the death penalty will always attract different opinions from both parties and will always be a subject of discussion among both parties.
Another topic that brings out the difference between Republicans and Democrats is on the subject of abortion. Women can be involved in policymaking such as Republican women standing against antiabortion policies in state legislatures (Reingold et al. 6). Since Democrats believe that a woman has the right to choose whether to have or not to have an abortion Republicans are of the contrary view. The subject of abortion clearly shows the different views between the two parties and has become a significant issue among both partisans.
In addition, another primary area of difference between contemporary Democrats and Republicans is on LGBT issues. Bishin and colleagues assert that Democrats have been supportive of these issues related to LGBT while the Republicans have been opposing it (8). Since this topic elicits various topics of discussion, it is something that the two parties will find it difficult to agree on making it one of the issues that brings out major differences between the two parties. LGBT issues have also brought out discussions on same-sex marriages which have also been discussed in the Supreme Court and a ruling has already been made.
Nevertheless, both the Democratic and Republican parties share some similarities. One of the similarities is that both members of each party have more respect for the ordinary people of the opposing party than they have for the politicians (Kingzette 4). Thus, it can be concluded that members of each party respect each other views and opinions which is an important aspect in any democracy. Another similarity is on the commitment to the rule of law which ultimately leads to peace and political stability. Additionally, both parties have endorsed an economic model that is market-driven driven in-order for entrepreneurs to have more freedom. Also, both the Republicans and Democrats have supported military interventions abroad to attain peace and stability in countries with civil wars.
The division between the Democrats and the Republicans can have various consequences for voters and election outcomes. One of the consequences is that it can either increase or reduce voter turnout since voters are mainly influenced to vote by the political candidate with the best agenda. Another issue is on the election outcomes whereby political candidates may need to change some of the beliefs associated with their political party to be on good terms with the voters. All these changes will lead to a change in policy outcomes which will then lead to a change in the political landscape.
In summary, both the Republican and Democrat parties have major differences that shape their political views. The major distinction is shown in contemporary issues such as immigration, gun control, trade, the death penalty, abortion, and issues related to LGBT. Similarly, both parties also share some similarities such as on the rule of law and also their commitment to democracy. Hence the influence of both the similarities and differences of the two parties will always be significant as it shapes the country’s political landscape and their influence will always be meaningful and exceptional.
Works Cited
Craig Kafura, Bettina Hammer. “Republicans and Democrats in Different Worlds on Immigration.” Chicago Council on Global Affairs, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 8 Oct. 2019, globalaffairs.org/research/public-opinion-survey/republicans-and-democrats-different-worlds-immigration. https://globalaffairs.org/research/public-opinion-survey/republicans-and-democrats-different-worlds-immigration
Luca, Michael, Deepak Malhotra, and Christopher Poliquin. “The impact of mass shootings on gun policy.” Journal of Public Economics 181 (2020): 104083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2019.104083
Friedrichs, Gordon M. “Polarized we trade? Intraparty polarization and US trade policy.” International Politics 59.5 (2022): 956-980. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41311-021-00344-x
Niven, David, and Ellen A. Donnelly. “Who challenges disparities in capital punishment?: An analysis of state legislative floor debates on death penalty reform.” Journal of ethnicity in criminal justice 18.2 (2020): 95-122. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15377938.2019.1710316
Reingold, Beth, et al. “Anti-abortion policymaking and women’s representation.” Political Research Quarterly 74.2 (2021): 403-420. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1065912920903381
Bishin, Benjamin G., Justin Freebourn, and Paul Teten. “The power of equality? Polarization and collective misrepresentation on gay rights in Congress, 1989–2019.” Political Research Quarterly 74.4 (2021): 1009-1023. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1065912920953498
Kingzette, Jon. “Who do you loathe? Feelings toward politicians vs. ordinary people in the opposing party.” Journal of Experimental Political Science 8.1 (2021): 75-84. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-experimental-political-science/article/who-do-you-loathe-feelings-toward-politicians-vs-ordinary-people-in-the-opposing-party/4A19D69433C8FED1AE3EBA15633C9649
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