Govt 2306 Responsible Political Parties In A Democracy

Govt 2306 responsible Political Partiesideally In A Democracy Candida

GOVT 2306 Responsible Political Parties Ideally, in a democracy, candidates should say what they will do if elected, and once elected, they should carry out those promises. However, too often, this is not the case. The responsible party model argues that parties should meet certain objectives: 1) Parties should offer clear and distinct choices to the voters. 2) Voters should use these choices as cues to their own preferences on a candidate. 3) Once elected, parties should carry out their campaign promises. 4) Parties should take responsibility for the performance of their policies while in government. Using the table below as your guide, discuss the differences between the two parties on the five issues provided. In addition, in one or two paragraphs discuss whether the American political parties follow the responsible party model given the criteria listed above. Please cite all outside sources!

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The concept of responsible political parties in a democracy emphasizes transparency, accountability, and fidelity to campaign promises. In the United States, the Democratic and Republican parties offer starkly contrasting policy positions on critical social and economic issues, exemplifying their ideological differences. This divergence challenges the principles of the responsible party model, especially regarding fulfilling campaign commitments and providing voters with clear choices.

On the issue of abortion, Democrats strongly support Roe v. Wade (1973) and uphold a woman's right to choose, emphasizing reproductive rights and personal autonomy. In contrast, Republicans advocate for the sanctity of life, believing unborn children have an individual right to life, and generally oppose abortion, emphasizing the protection of potential life from conception. These stark positions create a clear and distinct choice for voters, aligning with the first criterion of the responsible party model.

With regard to defense, Democrats support reductions in federal defense spending, warning that significant cuts could jeopardize national security. Conversely, Republicans emphasize the importance of maintaining a strong military and reject large cuts, asserting that defense is fundamental to national security. While both parties articulate positions on defense, their differences reflect competing priorities: fiscal restraint versus military strength. These differences offer voters clear choices, fulfilling the first criterion.

On Medicare, Democrats oppose privatization and vouchers, favoring the existing government-led system, while proposing a premium-support model that offers some consumer choice. Republicans support this premium-support approach, advocating for more market-based reforms believed to improve efficiency and sustainability. Here, the differences provide voters with distinct policy visions, helping them make informed choices that align with their preferences.

The issue of public employee unions presents another ideological divide. Democrats oppose attacks on collective bargaining rights, emphasizing protections for workers, while Republicans support reforms and efforts aimed at curbing union influences in efforts to limit government expenditures. These contrasting positions again offer voters a clear choice regarding labor rights and government regulation.

Finally, on same-sex marriage, Democrats support marriage equality and equal treatment under law for same-sex couples, advocating for the elimination of discriminatory laws. On the other hand, Republicans support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, reflecting traditional values. These opposing positions clearly differentiate the parties on this social issue, providing voters with a distinct choice.

Assessing whether American political parties fully adhere to the responsible party model reveals mixed results. While they generally offer clear ideological distinctions and present alternative policy options, the extent to which they follow through on campaign promises varies. Partisan polarization often leads to rhetoric that does not always translate into policy implementation. For example, despite campaign promises to reform healthcare or reduce defense spending, political gridlock and competing interests sometimes impede tangible action (Kernell & Jacobson, 2015). Moreover, the influence of special interests and lobbying can distort party priorities, reducing accountability (Schlozman et al., 2012). Therefore, while American political parties exhibit some qualities of the responsible party model—namely offering clear choices—they fall short in consistently fulfilling their promises and ensuring accountability, which is essential for true responsible governance.

References

• Kernell, S., & Jacobson, G. C. (2015). The Logic of American Politics. CQ Press.
• Schlozman, K. L., Verba, S., & Brady, H. E. (2012). The Unheavenly Chorus: Unequal Political Voice and the Broken Promise of American Democracy. Princeton University Press.
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• Smith, J., & Patterson, T. (2020). Political Parties and Democratic Governance. Oxford University Press.