Question#1
The two major political parties in America-democrats and republicans- have ideological difference that this paper will talk about. Democrats are for a thought that the governments should not only keep the borders at bay but also advance subjective security. This is seen in the current enacted state laws, that convictions translates into laws increasing healthcare access, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage. Republicans are against the move, and aggressively oppose the employ of governments (Kenneth Dautrich D. A., 2009). They stick to their guns that they should not be forced to watch over their neighboring states. 13 states have turned down the national governments’ offer of increasing the health care coverage by paying 100% of the costs to the residents. Interestingly enough, 12 of these states are republicans’ ‘strongholds’.
On factors that affect liberty and security, Gun control is a challenge acknowledged by both the Democrats and the Republicans. The republicans argue that owning unlimited number of guns without governments’ control helps in promoting liberty allowing the gun owner to play self defense when in danger. Democrats, on the other hand would have it otherwise (Kenneth Dautrich D. A., 2009). They believe that widespread of owning guns would lead to violence: hence undermining liberty and security if government’s regulation is not given a chance.
The two parties believe that liberty is the ability of being influential in the political resolutions that affect Americans’ future and lives. Fortunately for this paper, their thought of liberty differs immensely. To the republicans it is the liberty that allows for money to dominate: allowing persons to use unlimited amount of money in their campaigns and lobby congressmen. To democrats it’s the other way round (Thomas R. Dye, 2010).
Question#2
This paper answers the question: Analyze key reasons why third parties have never been successful at the presidential level.
Libertarian party as opposed to Green Party has the highest number of members as the third party. The elections are won in small races but not in the national level. The best the third parties can do is making political remark on the federal level with a hope for change locally- at the state level. Their nature of party platform is an easy way to distinguish them: the basis for their existence has a common ground to all its members (locals) - not the country (Kenneth Dautrich D. A., 2009). For instance, The Green party centers on the need for the government to increase control of the environment while the Prohibition Party has for over hundred years pushed the agenda of criminalization of illicit substances such as alcohol.
The third party candidates are often elected in the local level. Regional politics-city and county- is the most suitable arena for these candidates. At this local level a contender candidate can be comprehensive enough to talk about his intentions over issues that locally affect them as opposed to millions of people in the country (Schubert, 2006).
Conclusively, winning the national elections for the third-party candidate is a nightmare due to their low numbers in terms of voter base. It is allowed though that the third parties can vie for any position they desire-even the presidency (Kenneth Dautrich D. A., 2010). Electing a third party contestant allows locals to give their grievances regarding their disappointment in the platforms of either of the candidates that is elected. In big numbers, these votes can change the stand of the two major parties by considering the third parties agendas.
Question#3
The campaign processes helps in selling policies of either democrats or republicans. Creating of awareness that the two parties exist and a voter has to draw his/ her own lines carefully to make a choice that suit him/her.
The campaigning process has also led to the contributions of money that has help to sustain their various parties. In 2001 candidates who were to vie for the senator seats had raised over $225million. The House of Representatives raised $400million at the same time. Reports have it that by mid-summer 2002 the chambers of congress had raised $630 million (Kenneth Dautrich D. A., 2010). All this money not only helps in the campaigns but also helps in the party’s sustainability.
However, the contributions are usually regulated for the competition to be to fair. There are bodies to see into it that contribution are regulated this just to make sure that no of the parties get an advantage over the other due to monetary value. Modern campaign finance regulation in America started with the enacting of the 1972 Federal Election Act. It regulated the use of handsome amount of money in the elections (Thomas R. Dye, 2010).
The campaign process also gives the parties a chance to evaluate and assess themselves through polling. Politicians, news outlets, campaign contributors and the parties all depend on opinion poll to guide them through their contests (Kenneth Dautrich D. A., 2010). Polls are often given more attention and have become part and parcel of modern politics. This tends to show the party which regions it is stronger and which one it need to pull up its socks. Like in the case of Obama and McCain the polls showed the latter to be stronger in Hawaii.
Reference
Kenneth Dautrich, D. A. (2009). American Government, Texas Edition. New York: Cengage Learning.
Kenneth Dautrich, D. A. (2010). American Government: Historical. Popular and Global Perspectives: Historical, Popular, and Global Perspectives. New York: Cengage Learning.
Schubert, L. (2006). The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics. New York: Cengage Learning.
Thomas R. Dye, L. S. (2010). The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics. New York: Cengage Learning.
