Democrats and Republicans: Policy Differences in the US System

This essay provides a comparative analysis of the policy approaches of the Democratic and Republican parties within the United States political system. It highlights the contrasting ideologies of the two parties, particularly their stances on economic, social, and fiscal issues. The essay examines how these differences manifest in policy decisions, using examples such as the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and trade policies. The Democrats are characterized by their liberal principles, favoring increased public spending and social justice, while the Republicans are presented as adhering to conservative values, emphasizing fiscal austerity and limited government intervention. The paper also touches upon the parties' differing viewpoints on social issues, such as LGBTQ+ rights and tax policies. The essay concludes by summarizing the key differences in policy perspectives between the two major political parties in the United States, offering insights into their respective philosophies and approaches to governance.

Running head: COALITION IN THE US PARTY SYSTEM
Coalition in the US Party System
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1COALITION IN THE US PARTY SYSTEM
This particular essay seeks to provide a difference in the approach taken by the
Democrats and the Republicans while formulating policy decisions.
In the political party system of the United States of America, the two parties are the
Republicans and the Democrats. The former political party tends to have a very conservative
approach in solving the social, political and economic issues through the system of legislations.
Their basic political philosophy emanates from the conception of a laissez faire state. They
believe that the Federal Governments should refrain from interfering in the activities of the
people which they undertake in their daily lives. That is something which is reflected in their
standpoint with regard to introducing the fiscal measures. They are more in favour of austerity
measures and reduction of the level of public expenditure, alongside reducing the taxes
(Grossmann and Hopkins). The Democrats on the other hand are guided by liberal principles
which seek to increase the level of expenditure on public utility services that shall be conducive
to upholding efficiency and social justice, instead of spending on military and warfare. An
example with regard to establishing the difference of the standpoints of the Republicans and the
Democrats can be the passing of the Obamacare and the abolition of it. The Obamacare was
passed during the second term of Democrat, President Obama which sought to make healthcare
and managing of expenses by students more affordable and easier, with the view to reach out to
all sections of the society, especially the economically underprivileged ones. With the coming of
the Republican government under President Donald Trump that was abolished citing the amount
of pressure it was creating for the government to meet the aspirations of the people (Hershey).
With regard to the social issues, and the standpoint of the political parties, the issue of
easening the stance of the respective goverrnments on the sexual minorities can be cited as an
example. In the year 2015, gay marriages were legalized all throughout the United States of

2COALITION IN THE US PARTY SYSTEM
America, after a long standing struggle. President Obama had proclaimed on that occasion that it
was a victory for America with a great deal of euphoria (Westfall et al). However with the
election of President Trump in the year 2017, bad days seemed to have had befallen on the
sexual minorities. The Republican President bound his party ideology of upholding conservative
values sought to pigeon-hole the legislation without actually abolishing it. He had made it legal
to discriminate against the sexual minorities of the country citing the entitlement of the people to
their freedom of religion (Westfall et al).
The Democrat President, Obama had during his reign embarked upon increasing the level
of taxes on individuals belonging to high income background in order to ensure that there is an
equitable distribution of resources in the country (Draper). President Trump, a Republican had
on the other hand departed from President Obama’s standpoint on welfare issues and decided to
reduce the rate of taxes and welfare spending. Obama had also embarked upon a liberal trade
policy whereby he had indulged in trade relations with several countries who could freely trade
with America. On the other hand, President Trump sought to return back to idea of trade-
protectionism to recover America from the recession (Draper).
This goes as far as the difference between the standpoint on policy issues between the
Democrats and the Republicans.

3COALITION IN THE US PARTY SYSTEM
References
Draper, Theodore. American business and public policy: The politics of foreign trade. Routledge,
2017.
Grossmann, Matt, and David A. Hopkins. Asymmetric politics: Ideological Republicans and
group interest Democrats. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Hershey, Marjorie Randon. Party politics in America. Routledge, 2017.
Westfall, Jacob, et al. "Perceiving political polarization in the United States: Party identity
strength and attitude extremity exacerbate the perceived partisan divide." Perspectives on
Psychological Science 10.2 (2015): 145-158.