As of the fourth Republican Debate, 15 candidates are left competing for the GOP’s presidential
nomination.
Although the candidates have expressed widely differing views, at the heart of party politics
is holding the same values and beliefs.
So what exactly do Republicans believe?
To start, the Republican Party calls itself “the party of opportunity,” referring
to the idea that in The U.S. there we should be free in our pursuit is should be equal
opportunity to all.
Though to achieve this end, they believe there should be limited government interference
in daily life as it leads to a better functioning state.
This means fewer business regulations and smaller bureaucracies in public institutions.
The figurehead of the modern conservative movement, Ronald Reagan, explained it best:
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and
I’m here to help.”
When it comes to the economy, Republicans tend to believe in the power of the free market
to generate wealth.
This is an idea espoused by Reagan’s supply-side economics, colloquially known as “trickle-down”
theory.
In this system, it’s believed that low taxes for the rich will prompt them to invest in
businesses, thus creating more jobs, causing the wealth to trickle down to the poor.
This theory was most recently seen in the George W. Bush era tax cuts for those making
more than $200,000 dollars a year.
Today, this is accepted doctrine in the Republican Party.
The most recent party platform, ratified in 2012, espouses the belief that “any American
who works hard, dreams big and follows the rules can achieve anything he or she wants.”
As a result, Republicans don’t believe in many social services, like welfare, or a single-payer
healthcare system.
Aside from Medicare and Medicaid, Republicans prefer to stick to private insurers.
Repealing Obamacare is a crucial part of their platform.
Republicans also tend to hold conservative views on social issues.
Despite gay marriage bans being ruled unconstitutional in 2015, candidates like Ben Carson and Mike
Huckabee have expressed their opposition to the idea.
The 2012 platform opposes a “redefinition” of marriage, and maintains an anti-abortion
stance.
Republicans are also known for supporting the military.
Ever since Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, the GOP has advocated for American exceptionalism
and intervention around the world.
Republicans believe this is possible only through a strong military.
Today, the platform advocates “peace through strength”, promoting American ideals of
freedom and democracy while maintaining a formidable army.
But today the Republican Party has seen internal instability.
Within Congress, far right members have forced the unseating of the Speaker of the House,
and prevented party unity, despite a Congressional majority.
This split has threatened to divide the Republican Party.
Clearly, there are many types of Republicans: from free-market conservatives to the religious
right, the diversity of views within the party is astounding.
That being said, Republicans do all seem to agree on two things: lower taxes and smaller
government.
Now you know what Republicans believe.
What about their more liberal counterparts, the Democrats?
Find out in our video.
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