Politics in the United

States

Philosophical & Political Dimensions of the Republican and Democratic Parties

A PowerPoint Presentation and Lecture by:

Russell A. Castro © 2004Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, Louisiana 70402

“Politics”

• The societal forum for the legitimate acquisition and exercise of administrative power. .

•The processes by which “legal” and economic power are acquired and realized through action.

Max Weber: Legitimating Authority

• Traditional authority

• Charismatic authority

• Rational-Legal authority:

Leaders’ entitlements to power and control are based on procedures (such as voting) wherein which the public “selects” between candidates and/or policy alternatives offered them by the “political parties.”

Political PartiesWHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY DO? HOW DO THEY FUNCTION?

Logistical Apparatus to Engage in US Politics

• Formulating & Disseminating party “platform.”

• Selecting and Promoting Candidates.

• Acquiring member donations to fund campaign and other party-related activities.

• Obtaining Corporate Contributions...

...the primary source of party funds for BOTH parties.

What about “third” parties?•A number of, so called, “third parties” exist in the US, among them “the Green Party” and “The Libertarian Party.”•Since these parties cannot aspire to attain sufficient support to elect their candidates, they serve...

...Two Primary Functions

1) “Informer” - Exert pressure on mainstream parties to recognize certain issues; and...

2) “Spoiler” - Divert critical votes away from certain

candidates in certain political contests.

Conservative = “Traditional”

fashioned after the past….

Liberal = “Progressive”

fashioned towards the future….

Conservative

1. Tending to favor the preservation of the existing order and to regard proposals for

change with distrust.

2. Traditional in manner or style.

3. Moderate, prudent, cautious.American Heritage College Dictionary © 1976, pp. 284

Liberal1. Having, expressing or following social or

political views or policies that favor non-revolutionary progress and reform.

2. Having, expressing or following views or policies that favor the freedom of individuals to act or express themselves in a manner of

their own choosing.

American Heritage College Dictionary © 1976, pp. 753

The “Conservative” Party:Republicans

The “Liberal” Party:Democrats

The old liberal and conservative labels are less useful in

understanding politics today.

Both parties have appropriated liberal and conservative positions

as convenient to effectively manageme of public opinion….

For instance,

Republicans often highlight their “compassion” for the disadvantaged population, a “liberal” trait;

Conversely, Democrats frequently endorse “tough love” conservative stances on social issues to insure continuing voter support.

Robert Merton:Economic & Social Dimensions

of Political Belief & Action

• Conservative on Social Issues and on Economic Issues.

• Conservative on Social Issues but NOT on Economic Issues.

• Liberal on Social Issues and on Economic Issues.

• Liberal on Social Issues but NOT on Economic Issues.

What about the “main” two political parties, the Democratic

and Republican parties?

What makes them different from one another?

Though not widely realized, Democrats and Republicans are in one way more similar to one another than different:

Both are mechanisms through which ultimate power is acquired, legitimated, and exercised by a tiny and powerful few, those in control of most key

economic resources.

Nevertheless, as voters...

...it is important to recognize fundamental differences between the parties in order to best inform our decision-making when participating in politics as voters.

“Traditional” political parties in the US hold a very different philosophies on how our country should be “governed.”

Party Philosophies

Republican: leaders are granted authority to make decisions for their constituents, but are ethically responsible to answer to their own best judgement, even when in opposition to the will of the “popular” voting constituency.

Democratic: leaders are granted their authority from voters through the vote, and are responsible to attend to their constituency’s needs and wishes as closely as possible, once elected.

“CONSERVATIVE” “LIBERAL”

PROGRESSIVE

Tolerant of nonconformity Self-critical (toward improvement)

Ecumenical

Justice: rehabilitation & mercy

Primarily cooperative

Optimistic

Pro-change

New Testament compassion

TRADITIONALIST

Intolerant of nonconformitySelf-righteous

Exclusivist

Justice: eye for an eye

Primarily competitive

PessimisticAnti-change

Old Testament intolerance

“CONSERVATIVE” “LIBERAL” PROGRESSIVE

Flexible

Variable (diverse)

Zen

Passive

Re-active

Culturally relative

Issues:

negotiated-mixed outcomes

New Testament compassion

TRADITIONALIST

Regimented

Uniform

Doctrinaire

Aggressive

Pro-active

Ethnocentric

Issues:

zero sum

Old Testament intolerance