The Democratic Party was founded in 1792, whose philosophy dates back to Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. The party makes up for one of the two major parties in the U.S and the oldest party in America and the world. Despite the success in advocating for economic interests and social justice, the Democratic Party was not always as progressive. Indeed, the Southern Democrats supported slavery, while Northern Democrats were in favor of free will through a referendum. The rift that followed saw Abraham Lincoln rise to victory in the presidential election (Smith, 2020). However, during the 1865-1877 reconstruction era, when there were efforts to reintegrate freed slaves into the United States, the Democrats stood in support of voting rights for African Americans.
The party cemented its dominance politically through policies in the presidency of Roosevelt in 1932 when socialism ideology was popular. According to Harrison, and Boyd (2018), the civil rights era that followed, marked the beginning of liberal ideology, which was essential in influencing the signing of the voting rights act of 1965 through Lyndon B. Johnson (Miller & Schofield, 2008). However, the party did not have a successful presidential run for years 1968-1988 until bill Clinton won the elections in 1992. From Bush presidency until 2009, the party put back to back victories through president Obama as the first black president until 2016. They managed to secure legislation on banking, health, and significant economic stimulus.
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The Democratic Party relies on a diverse ideology which seeks to ensure policy progress of various groups and issues, including environment protection, abortion, racial equality, and gender identity, such as LGBTQ rights. In its modernity, the party advocates for regulation of the market, gun control, which majorly protects and benefits the poor through federally financed social services. I believe the party provides an equal opportunity for a diverse America to thrive. The Democratic Party allows for expansionary economic policies while still aiming for tax reduction and job creation (Jørnskov & Potrafke, 2013). Since it advocates for a progressive tax system, it considers the less fortunate economic situation by ensuring that a person contributes to the Gross domestic product in line with their earnings. Through social services, persons earning minimum wage are encouraged to live the American dream with the government's support. At the same time, it ensures that the issue of discrimination that has been prevalent in U.S. politics and social engagement is minimized.
The party resonates with my idea of the American dream, whereas Americans can thrive financially, socially, and environmentally without discriminating against others based on color, gender, or nationality. It is a dream that not only focuses on individual financial prosperity and functioning families but one which we accept and share opportunities with those who do not look like us or identify with our intended gender. The dream does not lose sight of issues that impact generations to come, such as climate change that continues to impact livelihoods. Concerning foreign policy, being part of international institutions is vital in promoting world cohesiveness and still benefit from economic influence that is instrumental in growing the wealth of Americans. Indeed, in a country that struggles with racial disparities, the civil rights of minority groups are of value to peace and prosperity. Duarte et al. (2015) assert that we must acknowledge that political diversity is the element that solves social problems of inequality, power, and stereotyping. Although gun control is a controversial issue for both major parties, we must aspire to get to a place where our loved ones' safety is ensured even as we protect the right to own guns while still minimize mass incarceration.
References
Harrison, K., & Boyd, T. (2018). Liberalism. In Understanding political ideas and movements . Manchester University Press.
Miller, G., & Schofield, N. (2008). The transformation of the republican and democratic party coalitions in the US. Perspectives on Politics , 433-450.
Bjørnskov, C., & Potrafke, N. (2013). The size and scope of government in the US states: does party ideology matter? International Tax and Public Finance , 20 (4), 687-714.
Duarte, J. L., Crawford, J. T., Stern, C., Haidt, J., Jussim, L., & Tetlock, P. E. (2015). Political diversity will improve social psychological science 1. Behavioral and Brain Sciences , 38 .
Smith, R. C. (2020). Democracy, Race, and the Socialist Project in the United States. National Review of Black Politics , 1 (1), 34-48.
