1. Political Parties

2. Democrat vs. Republican
Political Symbolism
Democrat vs. Republican
Donkey
The Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a jackass (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters.
Elephant
In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, there was a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.”

3. Andrew Jackson used a donkey to symbolize his working class roots and ever since the Democrats have been known as the part of the donkey.

4. Democrat vs. Republican
What does it
mean to be a
Democrat?
What does it
mean to be a
Republican?

5. Republicans came to be associated with elephants due to the political cartoons of Thomas Nast in 1874.

6. Democrats Today
Today the Democrats are commonly perceived as the party of big government, civil rights, women’s rights, environmentalism, the poor and pacifism (slow to go to war).

7. Republicans Today!
The Republican party today tends to support public policies that limit the size of government and cut taxes. Typically, they also support the War on Terror, are generally opposed to the legalization of abortion (pro-life) and vote against programs to increase the size of the welfare state.

8. Democrat vs. Republican
Large Government
Higher Taxes
Individual Rights
Gay Rights
Gun Control
Environmental Issues
Pro-Choice
Small Government
Lower Taxes
National Security
Family Values
Favor 2nd Amendment
Free Market Capitalism
Pro-Life

9. The Economy and Taxes Democrats Republicans
Are generally in favor of large government and a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a larger share than the poor
Tend to be against international free trade agreements because they claim that such trade agreements hurt American workers and in particular unions
Tend to believe in a balanced budget and are willing to raise taxes if needed
Tend to make laws to protect American businesses from international competition
Republicans
Are generally in favor of a smaller government—less regulation
Generally for free market agreements with other countries, like NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement.
Vehemently against raising taxes even if it means a budget deficit
Tend to believe in global trade and don’t tend to protect US businesses from international competition

10. National Defense and Security
Democrats
Tend to cut the military budget
Generally want to avoid American military intervention unless supported by the United Nations
Tend to believe in diplomacy and are slow to go to war
Republicans
Believe in a strong military and are willing to pay for it with government money
Believe in confronting American enemies with or without UN support
Believe in using military intervention when American interests or security is threatened more quickly than Democrats

11. Entitlements- Welfare, Medicaid, Social Security, Health Care
Democrats
Generally think that the government should provide a broad safety net (health care, education, welfare, food stamps) for the poor and others.
They generally think these policies help the common good and are compassionate
Republicans
Generally think the government should limit or reduce the safety net for the poor.
They believe that private businesses and non-profit charities can provide the same services

12. Environmental Protection
Republicans
Favor fewer restrictions on businesses in the hopes that wealthier companies will be able to be more environmental
Many do not believe global warming is a real threat
Democrats
Favor stricter regulations on businesses to protect the environment
Believe global warming is a real threat

13. Energy Policy Democrats
Focus on researching alternative energy sources for the future
Republicans
Focus on securing existing energy sources for the present and future

14. Immigration Democrats Favor looser immigration laws
Some favor “Amnesty” for illegals already in the country
Republicans
Favor stricter immigration laws
Some favor punishment or deportation for illegals already in the country

15. Education
Democrats
Oppose using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)
Republicans
Favor using tax money for school choice (vouchers and charters)

16. school voucher
noun
plural noun: school vouchers
a government-funded voucher redeemable for tuition fees at a school other than the public school that a student could attend free.

17. Liberal vs. Conservative
What does it
mean to be
liberal?
“Moderate”
What does it
mean to be
moderate?
“Conservative”
What does it
mean to be
conservative?

18. Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King
What is a Liberal?
Liberals believe that the government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens.
They usually call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system.
They reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are, often called the status quo.
Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King

19. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) is generally seen as a moderate.
What is a Moderate?
Moderates may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives.
They are seen as tolerant of other people’s views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own.
They advocate a “go-slow” or “wait-and-see” approach to social or political change.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) is generally seen as a moderate.

20. What is a Conservative?
People who hold conservative ideals favor keeping things the way they are or maintaining the status quo if it is what they desire.
Conservatives are usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way.
They feel that the less government there is, the better.
They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least.”
Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) is widely regarded as the father of the modern conservative movement

22. The Political Spectrum

25. Where do they stand on today’s issues??
Left
Center
Right
Where do they stand on today’s issues??
Democrats
Republicans
Moderate/
Centrist
Liberal
Conservative
Green
Libertarian