WHAT DO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BELIEVE?
Messaging from the political parties can be confusing. Of course everyone wants “freedom” and “justice.” But what do they mean when they use those vague terms? Here’s a quick summary of where Democrats and Republicans generally stand on some of the most important issues of 2024.
As you read each issue on this list, think about which party belief you agree with more.
ISSUES
CLIMATE CHANGE -
Democrats Believe - Climate change is a big problem and we need stricter environmental laws
Republicans Believe - Climate change may not be real. Even if it is, we shouldn’t have to make changes to address it.
Alternative energy
Democrats Believe - America should replace oil and coal with renewable energy sources like solar and wind
Republicans Believe - America should produce more oil and coal rather than invest in alternative energy sources
Racial justice
Democrats Believe - We need to do more to ensure racial equity, because white people benefit from advantages that people of color do not
Republicans Believe - Historical obstacles faced by people of color have been overcome and do not exist today
LGBTQIA+ rights
Democrats Believe - The rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals should be protected by law, including the right to marry
Republicans Believe - LGBTQIA+ rights do not need to be protected. Some Republicans want to eliminate current legal protections
Health care
Democrats Believe - Health care is a human right. Government should take action to ensure everyone has access.
Republicans Believe - Health care should be handled by businesses. Government should not be involved.
Student debt
Democrats Believe - Student debt is too much of a burden and should be reduced through loan forgiveness and reducing the cost of higher education
Republicans Believe - Student debt is a personal responsibility that should be handled by individual borrowers and businesses
Abortion rights
Democrats Believe - Pregnant people should have access to safe and legal abortion and contraception
Republicans Believe - Abortion should not be widely available. Some want to restrict access to contraception.
Immigration rights
Democrats Believe - Immigrants contribute positively to America and their rights should be protected
Republicans Believe - Immigration laws should be more restrictive
Minimum wage
Democrats Believe - Minimum wage in the US should be raised to at least $15 per hour
Republicans Believe - Businesses should be allowed to pay their workers whatever they want
Role of government
Democrats Believe - Government should ensure everyone's basic needs are met
Republicans Believe - It is not the government's job to make sure basic needs are met
Taxes on business
Democrats Believe - Taxes on large businesses and corporations should be raised
Republicans Believe - Taxes on businesses should be reduced
Gun violence
Democrats Believe - Stricter gun laws will make us safer
Republicans Believe - More guns will make us safer
Voting rights
Democrats Believe - Voting is a fundamental right for every American and should not be restricted in any way
Republicans Believe - It’s okay to put up barriers to voting in order to make sure people who shouldn’t vote don’t
Think about the issues that are important to you. Which party do you agree with more on those issues?
These are general guidelines to the two main political parties in the US. Not every member of each political party agrees on every issue. Within each party there are groups of people who lean more to the right (conservative) and some groups who lean more to the left (progressive).
If you want to dig deeper to learn more about differences between the two parties, read Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology from the Pew Research Center, which was a source for much of the information above. You can even take their quiz to find out where you fit, based on your personal beliefs.