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While there are distinct differences between Democrats and Republicans, that wasnt always the case.<\/p>\n
By examining American political history, one can see that the two parties even had opposite beliefs from those they have today.<\/p>\n
Since its common for political parties to cannibalize themselves or change over time, its important to understand political history to determine the differences between Democrats and Republicans.<\/p>\n
Here are the major differences between the Democratic and Republican political parties.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The path the Democratic and Republican parties took to reach their modern platforms is different for each one.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Party, at least in name, is older than the Republican Party.<\/p>\n
It can trace its origins to the Anti-Federalist movement early in American history.<\/p>\n
The Anti-Federalist Party included members like:<\/p>\n
The Anti-Federalist Party was formed in protest against the Federalist Party.<\/p>\n
The Federalist Party included members like:<\/p>\n
The Federalists believed in a strong central government to oversee local governmental bodies.<\/p>\n
They believed that it was the central governments job to improve the lives of its citizens and to create and enforce laws to do so.<\/p>\n
The Anti-Federalists believed in strong local governments.<\/p>\n
They believed that the central government should have little say in the matters of the states.<\/p>\n
Instead, each state should determine laws and regulations according to its own needs and the needs of its people.<\/p>\n
One might even say that the Anti-Federalists were a precursor to modern-day libertarians.<\/p>\n
The Anti-Federalists took on the name of the Democratic-Republican party.<\/p>\n
This party would continue in existence for some time although it would ultimately shorten its name to Democrats.<\/p>\n
The Republican Party was formed in 1854 by individuals who had an interest in ending slavery.<\/p>\n
This version of the Republican Party had one of its most famous members, Abraham Lincoln, become president.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Republican Party changed following the election in 1912.<\/p>\n
In fact, both parties changed.<\/p>\n
In 1912, three presidential candidates were running for office.<\/p>\n
Woodrow Wilson was running on the Democratic ticket.<\/p>\n
Theodore Roosevelt was running on his own ticket called the Bull Moose Party.<\/p>\n
Finally, former President Taft was running for election once more on the Republican ticket.<\/p>\n
The Bull Moose Party was an offshoot of the Republican Party.<\/p>\n
It was more liberal and supported certain regulations like conservation and higher regulations on big businesses.<\/p>\n
This was separate from the Republican Party which, instead, wanted to end monopolies but still supported less regulation in the market.<\/p>\n
The Democrats at this time were also starting to lean more liberal in their political ideas.<\/p>\n
They supported regulation of the market, albeit not quite as radically as the Bull Moose Party.<\/p>\n
The result was the victory of the Democrats and the elevation of Woodrow Wilson to the presidency.<\/p>\n
Because Theodore Roosevelt, who had been a Republican, split the party, however, two different ideologies formed.<\/p>\n
Those who had supported the Bull Moose Party considered themselves progressives.<\/p>\n
As a result, they ended up joining the Democratic Party following their loss and threw their support behind more left-leaning policies.<\/p>\n
This, in turn, transformed the party into the platform which supports its modern-day beliefs.<\/p>\n
The Republican Party, on the other hand, grew more conservative and turned its focus to business interests and economic freedom.<\/p>\n
Due to the split in 1912 which fractured the Republican Party, one might even say that the two parties switched their ideologies.<\/p>\n
Both were mostly centrist in terms of their ideologies, but the split caused the Democrats to become more left-leaning and the Republicans to become more right-leaning.<\/p>\n
Those divisions would only deepen over time.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
One of the major differences between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party is each partys approach to the role in government that it has.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Party, which now harkens more of a Federalist viewpoint, believes in a strong federal government.<\/p>\n
Because it covers a large range of people with different backgrounds, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations, they believe its the federal governments job to ensure everyone receives fair treatment.<\/p>\n
Local governments are too small or too skewed a certain way to ensure that fair treatment.<\/p>\n
Thus, its the federal governments job to ensure and enforce fair treatment for everyone.<\/p>\n
Democrats also prefer a larger federal body.<\/p>\n
The more representation the federal government has, the more accurately it can represent the needs of everyone.<\/p>\n
Republicans believe in something different.<\/p>\n
Their thoughts are more similar to those of the Anti-Federalists.<\/p>\n
They believe that the federal government shouldnt be as strong as it is.<\/p>\n
In fact, they prefer to have fewer numbers in the government.<\/p>\n
Instead, they believe that the bulk of power should come from local government offices and the states.<\/p>\n
Each state should be able to pass and enforce laws according to its own needs and representations.<\/p>\n
Its because of this belief in the role of the government that you see a lot of opposition on certain issues.<\/p>\n
It all has to do with the governments role in the day-to-day lives of the American people.<\/p>\n
Democrats and Republicans are different because Democrats believe in a large and powerful federal government whereas Republicans believe in a small and weak federal government with strong state governments instead.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A hot-button issue that both parties have differences on is the military.<\/p>\n
Republicans tend to favor a strong military.<\/p>\n
Because of that, theyre among those who support military funding increases.<\/p>\n
Theyre also more willing to go to war, especially in countries in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Some of this may have to do with their supporters being mostly business owners.<\/p>\n
Since Republicans like to consider themselves the party of business, they recognize the profit in war.<\/p>\n
Any time the country goes to war, it puts people to work.<\/p>\n
Guns and ammunition need to be manufactured and shipped.<\/p>\n
Food rations need to be grown, harvested, and processed.<\/p>\n
Clothes and uniforms and body armor also need to be produced.<\/p>\n
Then theres the military, itself.<\/p>\n
People without a job, without direction in life, or those who are looking to improve themselves, protect their country, or receive free secondary education can find employment in the military.<\/p>\n
Some may even find a lasting career.<\/p>\n
Because war is profitable for America, many Republicans support it.<\/p>\n
Democrats, on the other hand, are less likely to support war and thus dont support the military as much.<\/p>\n
They prefer a smaller military force and thus tend to promote cutting the military budget.<\/p>\n
They believe in using that budget for bettering domestic society.<\/p>\n
Democrats are less likely to go to war with Middle Eastern countries.<\/p>\n
They instead prefer to use diplomacy, trade embargoes, and other tactics to prove points or to weaken an enemy.<\/p>\n
Thats because Democrats tend to see themselves as the party for the people.<\/p>\n
They look at war as a moral problem rather than something from which to profit.<\/p>\n
The loss of life isnt worth the money that the country can make off of it.<\/p>\n
Democrats and Republicans are different because of their stance on the military.<\/p>\n
Republicans prefer a strong military and more funding for it whereas Democrats prefer a smaller military and less funding for it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Perhaps one of the biggest issues that sees a distinct difference between Democrats and Republicans is their stance on gun control laws.<\/p>\n
Republicans tend to support individual freedoms.<\/p>\n
That means they believe that citizens can make their own decisions about guns.<\/p>\n
In particular, theyre strong supporters of the Second Amendment which covers the right to bear arms.<\/p>\n
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Democrat Vs. Republican (8 Differences Explained)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" While there are distinct differences between Democrats and Republicans, that wasnt always the case. Continue reading