The Democratic Party is one of the two main political parties in the United States of America and the biggest opponent of the Republican Party, the second largest political party.
Supporters of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, founded the Democratic Party in 1828, which is considered the oldest political party in the world.
Founded 189 years ago, the Democratic Party has grown over the years and now has more than 80 million members. Andrew Jackson was the first Democratic president to serve Americans, most recently President Barack Obama won the presidency through the Democratic Party.
Currently, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee is the American politician and lawyer Thomas Edward Perez, known as Tom Perez.
The party has its capital in Washington, DC, in the eastern United States and its symbol is represented by the drawing of a donkey.
The Meaning of the Democratic Party Symbol
Andrew Jackson was running for president in 1828 when he was dubbed by his opponents as "Jackass", which translated into Portuguese means "dumb" or "idiot", due to his relentless spirit and stubborn.
He believed that power was in the people and he always spoke his slogan “let the people rule” in speeches. As much as the donkey symbol was a mockery, Andrew used the name and design as a strong tool for his campaign.
In 1870 the cartoonist Thomas Nast projected the image of the donkey in the American magazine Harper's Weekly and it was from then on that people began to share the symbol with each other.
With a support base of over 80 million people, it's safe to say that people don't have a problem with the donkey symbol. Democrats see the animal as strong, dignified and intelligent, and one that reflects party ideologies.
On the other hand, Republicans, whose party symbol is an elephant, abhor the Democrats' symbol.
The Democratic Party logo, the donkey, was popularized by cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 1870s; although widely used, it was never officially adopted by the party.
The characteristics and political structure of the Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is generally associated with more progressive policies. Supports social and economic equality, favoring a greater government intervention in the economy, but opposing government involvement in citizens' private non-economic affairs.
The party defends the civil rights of minorities and supports a safety net for individuals, supporting various social assistance programs such as food stamps.
To fund these programs and other initiatives, Democrats often endorse a progressive tax. In addition, they support programs for environmental protection, gun control, less stringent immigration laws and labor rights.
Democrats generally support a strong federal government, empowered to regulate business and industry in the interest of government-funded social services and benefits for the poor, the unemployed, the elderly and other groups; and the protection of civil rights.
Most Democrats also endorse a strong separation of church and state, and they generally oppose government regulation of citizens' private and non-economic lives.
Regarding foreign policy, Democrats tend to prefer internationalism and multilateralism. That is, the execution of foreign policy through international institutions such as the United Nations.
However, because the party is highly decentralized (as is the Republican Party), it embraces a wide range of views on certain issues.
While most Democrats favor affirmative action and gun control, for example, some moderate and conservative Democrats oppose these policies or just support them. qualified.
The differences between the Democrat and Republican parties
The main difference between the two parties is actually their political orientation. O Democratic Party it is left-wing, liberal and generally associated with progressivity and equality. O Republican party, on the contrary, is right-wing, traditional and associated with equality and economic freedom and with the ideal of “survival of the fittest”.
Given their different origins and opposing political orientations, the two parties are confronted with a series of fundamental questions in social life, such as:
Taxes
Republicans believe that both the rich and the poor should pay the same share of taxes (and possibly receive tax cuts).
Even as big tax cuts lead to a decrease in government revenue, Republicans believe that, after tax cuts, the rich and entrepreneurs would be more likely to invest and create jobs - thus initiating a trickle-down effect that would ultimately benefit the economy and the entire society.
Republicans are also opposed to raising minimum wages, as such an increase could hurt small businesses.
Democrats believe in raising taxes for the upper class and reducing taxes for the classes low and medium, to allow the government to increase spending on social programs for the higher classes. low.
carry of weapons
Republicans oppose gun control laws and believe a citizen should be able to obtain ammunition without registration. Republicans also strongly support the right to self-defense.
Democrats favor an increase in gun control, but recognize that the Second Amendment is an important part of the American tradition and that the right to use firearms should be preserved.
The party also advocates reinstating the assault weapons ban and believes the government should strengthen the background checks system.
Abortion
Republicans, largely influenced by religion and tradition, believe the government should restrict abortion. In fact, Republicans think that the fetus has a fundamental right to live that cannot be taken away.
Democrats believe that a woman should have the right to make her own decisions about her pregnancy and that the government has no right to be involved in any woman's pregnancy.
Instead of eliminating abortion, Democrats want to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies by raising the level of sex education in all schools. Greater awareness would also reduce the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases.
same sex marriage
Republicans do not agree with same-sex marriages and believe that marriage should only be between one man and one woman. The party also believes that gay couples should not be able to adopt children.
Democrats oppose discrimination in same-sex marriage and believe that couples do. homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to adopt a kid.
See also the meaning of Republican party.