Democratic & Republican Policies
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 16.5.2
Democratic and Republican Policies
The Democrats and Republicans have very different positions on policies.
Democrats and social issues
- Democrats are progressive on social issues.
- Democrats often support gay rights and same-sex marriage, a woman's right to abortion and pro-environment policies.
Democrats and government intervention
- Democrats believe in more government intervention in the economy than Republicans, including higher taxes.
- Democrats believe that the government should provide social welfare including free healthcare and education.
- 'Obamacare', President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, was supported by most Democrats but opposed by Republicans.
Republicans and social issues
- Republicans generally have a conservative approach to social issues, including being opposed to a woman's right to abortion, supporting restrictions on abortion, opposing some gun control measures, and supporting the death penalty.
- Republicans in Congress voted against more gun control background checks in 2013.
- However, Republican views on same-sex marriage have become more divided since it was legalised nationwide in 2015.
Republicans and government intervention
- Republicans believe that there should be limited government intervention in the economy, including lower taxes.
- Republicans prefer personal responsibility over social welfare.
Test yourself on Democratic & Republican Policies
Which is NOT true of the Democrats' policies?