CHAPTER TWELVE
Political Parties

Exercises

Comparing the two major parties

1. Go to the Republican Party's web site.
2. Click on "Issues" in the top left-hand corner.
3. Read about the GOP's stances on the issues listed.
4. Then, go to the Democratic Party's web site.
5. Click on "Agenda" at the top, middle of the page.
6. Read about the Democratic Party's positions on the issues listed.
7. Answer the following questions:
   • How do the parties' positions on issues differ? What do these differences indicate about how the parties view the role of government?
   • Were there any issues on which the parties agreed? If so, why do you think the parties agreed with each other?
     

Learning about minor parties

1. Go to a web site of a minor party listed in the Explore section.
2. Answer the following questions:
   • What positions does the party take on issues such as taxes, abortion, gay marriage, and the environment?
   • What issues seem most important to the party?
   • Why does this party believe it is needed? What do they see wrong with the Democratic and Republican Parties?
     

Where does the money come from?

1. Go to the Center for Responsive Politics' party fundraising web site.
2. Under "Top Industries" on the left-hand side of the page, click on the Democratic link. What groups gave primarily to Democrats? Why do you think this was the case?
   
3. Go back and do the same thing for Republicans. What groups gave primarily to Republicans? Why do you think this was the case?
   
4. Were there any industries that gave heavily to both parties? If so, why might this be the case?