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WiNKThe Fundamental Differences Between the Two Parties Posted 10/02/2020 03:09PM Every American knows what the first Tuesday of November is, it's a day that divides America but a day that unites us as well. The reason I say that Election Day brings us as Americans together is that it's a day that according to voter turnout 60% of the U.S population votes for the President of the United States. Voting is what fundamentally defines you as a U.S citizen; without citizens having a right to vote, for one, it would give us a lot less say of what happens with the decisions made about/for our country, which, in fact, would most likely be leading to a dictatorship which would eventually strip the powers given to us at birth. Although, on the flip side Election Day divides us as well due to our political beliefs. "In 1776, Alexander Hamilton and rivals Thomas Jefferson and James Madison had founded two political parties" the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party. The "Democratic-Republican party" would soon split into two parties and become known as the Republicans and the Democrats party. Now the Federalist party is currently a minority party due to the party keeping its strongholds in New England even though it was the first official political party to ever be made, it still doesn't come near the number of people in each Democratic and Republican parties. The Republican party stands for the "Grand Ole Party." The term originated in 1875 in the Congressional Record, referring to the party associated with the successful military defense of the Union as "this gallant old party." Most Republicans would also be branded with or associated with "the right" or "conservative" groups. According to google dictionary the official definition of a conservative is "holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically concerning politics or religion." Conservatives tend to reject behavior that does not conform to some social norm. Even though the party opposed the expansion of slavery and led the fight to disassemble the confederate states of America from 1861 to 1865 (According to Wikipedia American Civil War), the positions and beliefs Republicans have had are now evolving over the years. The Republican party is the least diverse when it comes to race, as it is 89% Caucasian American and 11% miscellaneous (https://news.gallup.com/poll/160373/democrats-racially-diverse-republicans-mostly-white.aspx). In conclusion, the Grand Ole Party is anxious as well as disturbed by changing social norms within their society and would like to either maintain or retreat to how things were in the past. Some presidents' slogans even portray the message of conservatism, for example, Donald Trump "Make America Great Again", Mitt Romney "Believe in America", George H.W Bush "A Proud Tradition." The Republican party's chief rival is well known as the Democratic party, which originated as early as 1828. The Democratic party mainly emphasizes egalitarianism, social equality, protecting the environment, and strengthening the social safety net through liberalism. They support voting rights and minority rights, including LGBT rights, multiculturalism, and religious secularism. People within the Democratic party are mainly known as Liberals; the google dictionary definition of a liberal is "a person who is open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values." This definition would infer that if a person is uncomfortable about current social norms within a society they would feel more inclined to make a change. But, not all Democrats are "liberals," as the party has five factions which are the Conservative wing, Moderate wing, Libertarian wing, Liberal wing, and the progressive wing. The Democratic party has the most racial diversity out of the two, coming in at 60% of the members of the party being Caucasian American, 20% black, 13% Hispanic, and five percent miscellaneous, according to (https://news.gallup.com/poll/160373/democrats-racially-diverse-republicans-mostly-white.aspx) Currently, our society is witnessing liberals demanding change all over the United States using the label BLM (Black Lives Matter). This isn't the first time society has demanded change. "Back on August 28th, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr., marched on Washington to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. At the march, Martin Luther King Jr., standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in which he called for an end to racism."(https://www.naacp.org/marchonwashington/) Even though he was neither Democrat nor Republican, it may be safe to say MLK has been deemed a Liberal. One of Barack Obama's famous quotes was "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." This quote was to illustrate to the people that if we want to change it is our responsibility now to take initiative. In conclusion, the Democratic party is all about making changes and modifications in our civilization for the betterment of not just themselves but for others around them as well.
What were the main differences between the Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans?Federalists believed that manufacturing, commerce, and foreign trade should form the basis of the American economy, while Democratic-Republicans believed the United States' economy would thrive under an agrarian, farming-based society.
What were the main differences between Hamilton and Jefferson?Alexander Hamilton became a leading voice of the Federalists who believed that the federal government needed to be strong. On the other side, Thomas Jefferson, a Republican, argued that too much power in the hands of the federal government would lead to tyranny.
What were the differences between the Federalists and DemocraticThe Federalists wanted a strong central government. The Democratic-Republicans wanted strong state governments.
What are two political differences between Hamilton and Jefferson?Hamilton's great aim was more efficient organization, whereas Jefferson once said "I am not a friend to a very energetic government." Hamilton feared anarchy and thought in terms of order; Jefferson feared tyranny and thought in terms of freedom. The United States needed both influences.
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