The Republican Party has been one of the two main political parties in the United States
since 1854.
What makes someone a Republican?
What principles do they uphold?
Republicans have traditionally believed that personal responsibility and individual achievement
are the keys to prosperity.
One of the prevailing mantras of the party is “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps”.
This phrase suggests that each individual is responsible for his or her own success
in life.
As a result of this philosophy, most Republicans are not supporters of the idea of the “welfare
state”.
Most Republicans would agree that a government-provided safety net should exist for those who are
unemployed or disabled.
However, they believe that such programs should be limited and that out-of-work individuals
should be encouraged to find employment.
The Republican philosophy also believes that the private sector can better provide for
those less fortunate (through donations and charity) than the government can.
In economic matters, Republicans believe in the free market.
This means that they feel that the prices of goods and services should be controlled
by the natural forces of “supply and demand” and be as free from government manipulation
as possible.
This economic approach has been referred to as “laissez-faire”, a French term which
means “let go” or “let it be”.
The party also promotes free trade with foreign nations.
This means they feel that the government should not restrict imports from, or exports to,
other countries.
Virtually everyone acknowledges that taxes are necessary for the proper functioning of
the nation.
However, Republicans believe that taxes should be lowered as much as possible, allowing families
to keep more of their income.
Modern Republicans also believe in what is known as supply-side economics.
This theory suggests that lowering taxes for those who own businesses, and create jobs,
will improve the overall economy.
Republicans have traditionally been opposed to raising the minimum wage.
Their belief is that businesses, unable to pay the higher wage, would be forced to lay
off employees, thus hurting the workers who need the money the most.
They feel that employers should be allowed to decide for themselves the value of an employee’s
labor.
Republicans have largely been in favor of curtailing illegal immigration.
They feel that one of the most important duties of a nation is to protect its own borders.
They acknowledge that immigration has always played a strong role in the development of
the nation, but believe that immigrants should enter the country in a legal and limited manner.
A strong military has traditionally been part of the Republican philosophy.
During periods when Republicans have been in control of the White House, and Congress,
the military has grown in both size and technological capability.
This stems from a belief that if the nation’s military is strong, other countries will be
less likely to endanger American citizens.
In Constitutional matters, Republicans are thought to be strict-constructionists.
This means that they believe the Constitution should be interpreted as close to the original
founders’ intent as possible.
For example, Republicans have always been strong supporters of the Second Amendment,
which guarantees the “right to bear arms”.
Gun ownership rights have long been a staple of Republican ideology.
They oppose most measures related to gun control and any law limiting the rights of gun owners.
Republicans are believers in the concept of federalism.
Federalism is the practice of dividing governmental powers at the national, state, and local levels.
Republicans feel that the nation should have stronger state governments and a less intrusive
national government.
For example, Republicans feel that issues such as education should remain a state function.
Many Republicans oppose the existence of the United States Department of Education.
They believe this is an intrusion on the states’ authority to govern their own children’s
education.
Although it was a Republican president, Richard Nixon, who founded the Environmental Protection
Agency, most Republicans oppose excessive government regulations related to the environment.
They feel that such regulations are an unnecessary burden on businesses.
Instead, they feel that allowing companies to build and create new technologies would
ultimately produce better methods of managing pollution and other environmental challenges.
This is not every belief promoted by the Republican Party as there are too many issues to be mentioned
in one lesson.
It should also be remembered that not every Republican shares each of these beliefs (nor
does it mean that Democrats oppose them).
It is difficult to categorize an entire group of people in broad terms.
There are a wide variety of Republicans and Democrats who each have their own opinions
on many of these topics.