Political Parties

A group that has a special interest

The Framers wanted to avoid factions from forming

Why are factions bad?

Why might they be good?

Factions

Political Spectrum

Left Right

More Liberal Believe individual

freedoms Civil Rights

protection Reform or progress Leans more toward

Democrat

More conservative Wants things to

stay the same or go by tradition

Limit change Leans more toward

Republican

Political Party Symbols

RepublicansDemocrats

How did they get them?Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.

Politcal Party Colors

Republican-RED Democrat-BLUE

Where are most red

states located?

Where are most

blue states

located?

Social Issues

RepublicansDemocrats

No gun control No abortion Prayer in public

schools No same sex

marriage Death penalty Religious

Gun Control Abortion Rights No prayer in

public schools Legalize same

sex marriage No death

penalty Separation

church and state

Economic Issues

RepublicansDemocrats

Spend money on defense & military

Build more weapons for defense

Less regulation on business

Less environmental laws

Spend less to help poor

Spend less money on defense and military

Spend less money on weapons

Regulate business to protect worker and consumer

More environmental protection

Programs to help poor

Political Control

Democrats Republicans

Larger federal government

Taxes used to help poor

Society should be as equal as possible

Smaller federal government

Stronger state government

Rule in the hands of the people

Less government control

Believe property rights Poor should help

themselves Traditional family More Religious