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Political parties are how you identify yourself during the democratic process. Because you're participating in shaping the future of the nation, there is much to consider when learning How to Choose a Political Party.
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Why Choose a Party?
- First off, there are a few things you should know about political parties:
- You don't have to join a party at all. There's no law that says you have to be affiliated with a political party in order to vote.
- In some places, registering as an independent allows you to choose the primary you'd like to participate in. That means if you want to vote in the Republican primary or the Democratic primary as an independent, you can. But being an independent doesn't mean you can vote in both primaries; you have to choose one.
- You're not committed to partisan politics when joining a certain party. While you'll only be voting for your party's candidates in the primaries, you can vote for anyone you like, no matter what party he or she belongs to, in the general election.
- So what is the point of affiliating yourself with a political party?
- It will guarantee your ability vote in the primary elections for that party. Primaries are how parties choose their presidential candidate, for example.
- You will surround yourself with like-minded individuals. This community setting can allow great progress to be made when everyone is operating on a similar philosophy.
- You are electing politicians who will legislate and make laws that affect you. So don't forget, you're trying to turn the gears that run the country!
- But before you decide which party you'd like to join (if any), you should establish where you stand on some of the major, polarizing issues. There are many ways to solve any given issue, so you'll want to find a party that stands for the same basic political principles and philosophies that you agree with. After all, as we mentioned before, these are the people who will be making laws that affect your life.
Social and Economic Issues
- The main way political parties' views are categorized have to do with where they stand on social and economic issues. These pertain to the concerns that inevitably arise from living in a free society with a capitalist economy. As you consider each issue, ask yourself what level of involvement, if any at all, you believe the government should play in each situation. Here are some of the major topics that are constantly up for debate:
- Abortion Rights
- Alternative energy
- Business
- Censorship
- Crime/the death penalty
- Drug laws
- The environment/global warming
- Gun laws
- Healthcare
- Immigration
- Inflation
- Same-sex marriage
- Social class issues
- Taxes
- Trade
- Unemployment
- Welfare and Charity
Foreign Policy and Homeland Security
- In addition to social and economic topics, foreign policy has become one of the most heated political debates. After September 11th and the advent of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, dealing with concerns such as war, terrorism, foreign aid, and keeping the country safe have become hot-button issues. Where do you stand? What sort of foreign policy, if any, do you believe the government should adopt?
Take a Test
- If you're still a bit unsure of where you stand in the political spectrum, try taking an online test. These can be an objective way to analyze your political ideology. And don't worry... There's no time limit, and nobody will be grading you when you've finished!
Your Political Party Options
- Now that you have an idea of where you stand on the hard-hitting issues, you should have an easier time deciding which party is right for you. But while most people will tell you that the United States is a two-party system, the reality of the matter is that there is a daunting list of parties that you have the option of joining. Let's take a look at some of the major choices.
Republican vs. Democrat
- The Republican Party and Democratic Party are far and away the most popular in America today. Generally speaking, Democrats are more liberal (also called the "left") and Republicans are more conservative (the "right"), but there are many nuances to each side. Explore their official sites below to find out more.
- Democrats often support a larger government role in providing aid to disadvantaged groups.
- Official Site: Democrats.org
- One of the oldest parties, founded in the 1700s.
- Symbol: Donkey
- Their vision "emphasizes the security of our nation, strong economic growth, affordable health care for all Americans, retirement security, honest government, and civil rights."
- Famous Democrats: Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Al Gore, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Andrew Jackson
- Republicans are considered the more socially conservative party, preferring a smaller government role in both social and economic arenas.
- Official Site: GOP.com
- Also called the "Grand Old Party" or GOP
- Symbol: Elephant
- Their platform states that their vision is "a country united and free, in which all people are guaranteed equal rights and the opportunity to pursue their dreams... defending freedom at home and promoting it abroad."
- Famous Republicans: George W. Bush, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Theodore Roosevelt
Alternative Parties
- If you don't feel as though you belong with either the Republicans or Democrats, there are countless alternative "third parties" to choose from. One argument against them is that many people feel as though they are "throwing their vote away" if they don't vote for one of the big two. However, a few third parties have been gaining more popularity recently, and only time will tell if one will emerge as a major contender.
- Libertarians believe in individual liberty with minimal governmental involvement in everyday life.
- The Constitution Party is based on a strict, Bible-based interpretation of the Constitution.
- Official Site: ConstitutionParty.com
- Their mission statement says they hope to "limit the federal government to its delegated, enumerated, Constitutional functions and to restore American jurisprudence to its original Biblical common-law foundations."
- The Green Party is focused on environmental and social justice issues, and involves the democratic participation of all members.
Other Possibilities
- So you've carefully considered the long list of party options, but you're still stumped. Fear not, there are still more possibilities for you:
- Register as an independent. By doing this, you can avoid any sort of party affiliation. Remember, in some states, independents can even choose which party to participate in the primaries for, although in some places independents cannot vote in primaries at all. Take a look at this site which breaks down your options state-by-state for Republican and Democratic primaries.
- Start your own party. Although it's unlikely that any single party will match your views exactly, you do have the option of starting your own if it's that important to you. The momentous task of legitimizing your party to the masses, however, is more than a bit intimidating!
Make a Choice
- At this point, you have established where you stand on the issues and compared your political ideology to those of the major (and possibly even minor) parties. The only thing left to do is pick the one you feel most comfortable being a part of. Luckily, while it is not a decision to take lightly, you can always change your decision down the road. But for now it's time to register to vote and declare your affiliation.
