1. Lesson 38: Do USA parties defy political logic?
Aim: To begin to assess whether Democrats and Republicans are ideologically distinct

2. Democrat or Republican?
More needs to be spent on social welfare programmes
We agree with rights for gays & lesbians
Gun control should be introduced
Prayer should take place in public (state) schools
More should be spent on defence
Taxes should be cut
We have a ‘get tough’ attitude to criminals & crime
Women should have a right to abortion
We agree with the death penalty

3. IDEOLOGY A collectively held set of ideas and beliefs
CONSERVATIVE - A view that seeks to defend the political, economic and social status quo and therefore tends to oppose changes in the institutions and structures of society.
LIBERAL - A view that seeks to change the political, economic and social status quo in favour of the well being, rights and liberties of the individual, and especially those who are generally disadvantaged by society

4. Defying or Conforming to
political logic?
Democrat and Republican Party Platforms / Laptops / ICT/ A3 table
Determine the position each of the main parties take on Law and Order, Healthcare, Taxes, Foreign policy and Economy – complete table fully

5. Party Issues: Divisions between the Democrats and Republicans
Policy Issue
Democrats
Republicans
Law and order/ Gun control
Healthcare
Economy and Taxes
Foreign Policy/ National Security
Civil Rights / Immigration

6. Homework 1- Judgement
Explain the issues that have created the deepest divisions between the two major parties since 2008.
Identify(ao1) 4 policy issues that played/continue to play a significant role in polarisation of the two parties.
Determine through use of relevant/current specific examples(ao2) the extent of division made between Democrats and Republicans for each policy issue
Consider consolidation of a range of examples in specific policy issues to justify ranking of issues
Link back(ao2) continuously to the question focus after each example – ‘deepest divisions’ / ‘distinct differences’
Concluding sentence to present greatest policy issue

7. Assess the accuracy of this statement
Homework 2- Judgement
US parties defy political logic. With few differences between them, each party is a vast coalition of policies with little, if any, distinct ideologies.
Assess the accuracy of this statement
Balanced response - 4 policy areas and specific examples(ao2) to justify each view
Refer to L34 – history of parties to further consolidate/challenge examples identified
Link back(ao2) continuously to the question focus after each example – how accurate? Do they defy political logic? Do they have distinct policies?
Concluding sentence to argue YOUR overall view