Democratic and Republican Parties When

Democratic and Republican Parties

When examining the general positions of the Democratic and Republican parties, it appears that they obviously both use policy document wording to appeal to the general public and their sense of values. The Democratic party for example furthers its endorsement of gay rights and a woman's right to abortion under the umbrella of civil rights. The Republican party uses the same concept of rights to focus its attention on the right of states to refuse recognition for gay unions, and the right to life of an unborn child. The two parties therefore view similar issues from opposite angles.

In terms of platform issues, there is a significant difference between the 2000 platforms of both parties, and their platforms for 2004. In 2000, for example, the Republican party was very much focused on wealth creation and maintenance. The concept of the American dream is furthermore used to explicate the education policy, aiming to improve public education and further the future wealth of young Americans.

The Republican 2004 platform is very focused on the "war on terrorism." This issue takes about half the space of the 92-page document. Other issues such as education (still aimed at inclusiveness for all Americans, seem to take a less significant position.

In the same way, the Democratic party's 2000 platform is related to improving life for all Americans. The education policy seems very similar to that of the Republicans - to improve education and thus the future for young Americans. In its 2004 platform document, the Democratic party fiercely criticizes the Republican war effort and the strain that this has placed upon civil rights, emphasizing the Democratic aim to create and maintain equal rights for all.