Republican Vs. Democrat

Introduction

The Republican Party was created in 1854 in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act that would have allowed the expansion of slavery into Kansas. As well as opposing the expansion of slavery, the group also emphasized higher education, banking, railroads, industry and cities, and promised free homesteads to farmers.(wikipedia.org) Republicans are generally seen as the conservative party. Conservatives are strong defenders of liberty. They value small government, fiscal restraint, and individual rights & responsibilities. Conservatives tend to emphasize traditional views of social units such as the family or church, and often use history as a means to justify their beliefs. A conservative political philosophy is based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change. ( merriam-webster.com) Conservatives seem to favor a Pyramid approach to politics, allowing the government to decide what is best for the greater good. As seen with Madison's Federalist #10, conservatives believe in a strong controlling government. According to conservatives, a Republican government can be relied upon to make decisions that will benefit the greater good of the country.

Historically, conservative thought supported the idea of individuals being economically responsible for their own actions and decisions, and sought to preserve property rights rather than redistribute wealth or reduce inequality. As evident in Sumner's Rich are Good Natured piece, conservative thinkers feel that hard work is justly rewarded. Today's Republicans offer a more practical approach to politics, while still staying true to their conservative values. According to GOP.com, Republicans have always been the Party of fresh ideas and new thinking. They encourage debate on the major issues of our day, and consistently act in accord with the greatest values of our country - freedom and opportunity for all. Their plans focus on ensuring that America remains safe, terrorists are defeated, and democracy flourishes in the world … on expanding opportunities for ownership and investment … on making tax relief permanent and ensuring greater energy independence … on increasing the affordability and accessibility of health care … on promoting works of compassion and strengthening our greatest values … on preparing students for success in life by bringing the benefits of education reform to high schools … and on helping workers adjust to a changing economy by offering flexible training options that meet their individual needs.

Main body

The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in continuous operation in the United States and it is one of the oldest parties in the world. The Democratic Party traces it's origins to the Democratic-Republican Party, founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other influential opponents of the federalists in 1972. Democrats are generally seen as the more liberal of the two dominant political parties. Liberal thought usually considers individual liberty and equality to be the most important political goals, emphasizing individual rights and equality of opportunity. Liberalism encompasses a fish bowl style political model, promoting a non- hierarchical government. In William Jennings Bryan's cross of gold speech he talks about treating the man who ...