The key difference between Republican and Democrat is that a Republican is someone who favors or supports the principles of the republic while a Democrat is someone who believes in the principles of democracy or the power of the majority.
Democrat also believes in equality. Hence, there is a marked difference between a Republican and a Democrat. First let us define the terms. Through this article let us examine the differences between a republican and a democrat in their ideas and opinions.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Who is a Republican
3. Who is a Democrat
4. Side by Side Comparison – Republican vs Democrat in Tabular Form
5. Summary
Who is a Republican?
A Republican is someone who favors or supports the principles of the republic. A Republican is conservative in his ideas. A Republican does not accept the concept of a larger federal government. The Republican believes more in economic equity than any other factor.
A Republican firmly believes that all solutions to problems lay with the people themselves rather than with the government. According to Republican, the government is not supposed to interfere much with the affairs of people, but should do well to improve the property rights of the people rather than the welfare rights.
Figure 01: The Great Republican Reform Party
A Republican does not support government-sponsored programs. In fact, a Republican wants lesser government involvement and supports the idea that decisions be made at the state level primarily by the involvement of people. Also, a Republican firmly believes that the military budget should be considerably increased. Finally, a Republican is pro-life in approach hence he supports social policies at the state level.
Who is a Democrat?
A Democrat is someone who believes in the principles of a republic, thus, in the power of the majority. Unlike a Republican, who is conservative in his ideas, a Democrat is liberal in his ideas. A Democrat accepts the concept of a larger federal government People of all classes should be benefited by the various schemes of the government according to a Democrat. They should not be concerned more about individual interests. This means that a Democrat looks upon all classes of people as equal.
In short it can be said that a Republican believes that the people are adept at looking after themselves. A Democrat on the contrary firmly believes that the federal government alone is capable of bringing about equality.
Figure 02: Andrew Jackson, the First Democratic President of the United States
Furthermore, a Democrat supports government-sponsored programs. A Democrat is pro-choice in approach, As a result, a Democrat supports social policies at federal government level It is interesting to note that unlike the Republicans, Democrats support the view that the military budget should be decreased. These are the main differences between a Republican and a Democrat. Now let us summarize the difference as follows.
What is the Difference Between Republican and Democrat?
Republican vs Democrat |
|
| A Republican is someone who favors or supports the principles of the republic. | A Democrat is someone who favors the principles of the democracy, thus believes in the power of the majority. |
| Ideas | |
| A Republican has conservative ideas. | A Democrat has liberal ideas. |
| Equity | |
| A Republican believes in economic equity. | A Democrat believes in class equity. |
| Bias | |
| A Republican believes the solution lies with people – less interference in people’s affairs. | A Democrat believes the government will solve people’s problem. |
| Support | |
| A Republican supports social policies at state level – involving people | A Democrat supports social policies at the federal level. |
| Rights | |
| A Republican Improve property rights of people. | A Democrat improve welfare rights of people – more government sponsored programs. |
| Approach | |
| A Republican has a pro-life approach. | A Democrat has a pro-choice approach. |
Summary – Republican vs Democrat
Republic and Democracy are two major concepts in world politics. Both these concepts share vast differences. The difference between Republican and Democrat is that Republican is someone who favors or supports the principles of the republic while a Democrat is someone who believes in the principles of democracy or the power of the majority. Hence, the difference between these two parties lie in their principles.
Image Courtesy:
1. “1856-Republican-party-Fremont-isms-caricature” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “43rd Legislative District Democratic Caucus 1” by Cumulus Clouds – Own work. (GFDL) via Commons Wikimedia
