Government and Politics of the USA

Government and politics of the USA

4.3 Participation and democracy in US politics Political parties in the US. Aspect: The US political spectrum. Democrats and Republicans: their differing ideologies, values and policies. Reasons for two-party dominance.

Key aims, themes and concepts • To illustrate the nature of the US political system • To critically explore the differing ideologies, values and policies of the Democrats and Republicans • To identify the reasons behind the dominance of two political parties in the US political system; • To illustrate the flexibility of the two-party system with relevant up-to-date examples

Assessment objectives covered AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories and issues – through an identification of the key terms related to the political spectrum and the US two party system AO2 Interpret and apply political information to identify and explain relevant similarities, differences, and connections – through an examination of the central reasons for the existence of the two party system AO3 Analyse and evaluate the areas of government and politics studied to construct arguments, make substantiated judgements and draw conclusions – through the critical analysis which is undertaken through the examining of the central reasons for the two party system; with learners and teacher constructing their own examples of policy differences.

Introduction Start the session by determining with the learners, which are the two main political parties in the USA – Republicans and Democrats. Then get them to provide the identifying symbols (donkey, elephant, red, blue etc.), and note the ideologies of these parties, with Democrats more to the left (but not Socialist) and Republicans to the right. The teacher can also get them to identify key past and current political figures and also key policies within these parties.

Activity:

The teacher or the learners can cover the introduction either in general discussion or by developing a quiz in order to stimulate answers. The learners can now be introduced to the concept of the political spectrum.

Activity:

The teacher can show the YouTube video indicated and get the learners to note down the origins and attributes of the political spectrum. Learners can also be asked to find policy examples noted in the video, in practice. The teacher should note that the political spectrum in the USA has previously been more fluid and less ideological, with some Democrats following Republican policies and voting with them almost as often as their own party and vice versa. Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQ5fGECmsA

Main lesson With the learners you can identify the fact that the USA is a large and complex country with much diversity.

Activity:

Seek to highlight some of this diversity by getting learners to plot three or four differences they can find with an example each? These may include: social, economic, linguistic, racial, regional, religious, cultural etc. Indicate that each of these factors will also determine the specific policies which the parties will shape to their own ideological background. In the next element you will need to develop, with examples, the central reasons behind the USA having developed a two party system. The teacher and learner can add to these and there are suggested activities noted after some of the pointers. Each will need to be developed more. Thus the central points of why the US have developed a two-party system, you may wish to include, are:

• Historic- US politics borrowed heavily from the ideas of the UK’s political system, which has been a two party system for much of its history.

• The primary/caucus system of elections – For the US presidential elections those most active in politics can seek to challenge and inform the candidates of their opinion, the candidates will need to reflect this if they are to stay in tune with their ‘core party’ support.

• The electoral system – the first past the post electoral system is designed to reward the largest parties electorally. With the Presidential system there also can only be one winner which concentrates support into a two horse race (nominee v nominee or incumbent v challenger).

• ‘Big tent’ or catch all parties – Both Democrats and Republicans will accommodate a wide political spectrum of support from left to right. This means that supporters/voters political preferences can be easily accommodated within them with there being no need to go to or form other political parties.

• An automatic duopoly – on many issues in the US politics there is a left versus right, ‘for or against’ standpoint. The political parties adopt a specific position in respect of these political arguments and voters follow this.

• Pressure groups act as third parties – the US political system encourages people who are focused on a single issue or cause to establish a pressure group, rather than a political party.

• Clear ideological splits – the positioning of Democrats and Republicans over key voting issues such as health care and abortion has been become more black and white. This enables voters to make clearer party choices based on party policies which match their own more uniform ideological position.

Activity:

The teacher can seek to get the learners to bring in examples here where there is a clear divide between the parties, such as Obama Care, gun control etc.

Activity:

The teacher could also bring an example of a case study here for learners to discuss the reason why political activists may have formed this pressure group rather than a political party.

Activity:

The teacher may wish to explore the 2016 Republican primaries and the reason why individual candidates dropped out by failing to engage with party supporters.

Key terms introduced or developed in this session Democrats and Republicans, political spectrum, ideology, ‘duopoly’, ‘two-party system’, ‘big tent parties’, ‘partisan alignment’, ‘third parties’.

Conclusions

Activity:

The teacher should reflect on recent developments in the two-party system and examine the flexibility in both Republican and Democrat parties surviving dramatic political challenges. For example, in the 2016 Presidential elections many Republicans activists were alienated by the Trump presidential nomination and at the same time Democratic activists who supported Bernie Sanders felt alienated by the selection of Hilary Clinton.

Activity:

Using these examples the teacher and learners can explore how the respective parties managed to avoid splintering and how those alienated dealt with the Presidential political campaign. Teachers and students should look for evidence for increasing or decreasing ideological difference – such as Bernie Sanders move to make the Democrats more Socialist and an ideological cohesive alternative to the Republicans. At the same time Trump has been moving the Republican’s further to the right and those centrists from each party have become reduced in numbers.

Extension work:

Far from being a two-party system in the USA in a number of areas a one party system has in effect developed. In some of US states it is not uncommon for there to be no effective opposition and on occasions no opposition at all. Party dominance is therefore apparent in a number of the US States, with many not just having one party with a majority but a ‘veto proof majority’ also called a ‘super majority’.

Activity:

Examine the reasons behind this ‘one party dominance’ such as– historic, electoral, cultural, electoral – FPTP electoral system, gerrymandering of electoral boundaries, campaign finance etc.

Activity:

In addition explore the impact of one-party states systems on the democratic process, as both a positive (strong government, firm policy agenda etc.) to negative (alienates minorities, encourages corruption/pork barrel politics). You may wish to develop this activity into a debate between those who support and those who are against one party dominance.