While party platforms adopted at the conventions every four years are often lengthy, somewhat idealistic
and can be co-opted by special interests, they are the official set of principles that define a political party.
The Washington Post details the conservative shift of GOP Platforms from the 1960s up to 2012.
Not surprisingly, the watershed moment is 1980 when “The Republican Party declares war on
government overregulation.” By 1992, the platform explains that lowering taxes on the rich will lead to
job creation and declaring an opposition to any increase in taxes. Issues such as abortion and other
faith based topics are virtually non-existent before the 1980s. However, the GOP began to identify with
the Bible Belt religious base of voters. In 1980, the platform called for an amendment outlawing
abortion even though the 1976 platform said abortion was a “moral and personal issue” in which
Republicans disagree. In fact, the most dramatic shift might be from 1960, when Republicans went
from supporting unions, immigrants and the positive role of government to the 1964 platform that
bashed Democrats for being federal extremists and spoke repeatedly of faith. By 2012, the
conservative shift was evident in calls to privatize Medicare and Social Security, while it also
promotes radical ideas such as auditing the Federal Reserve and returning to the Gold Standard.
All that said, platforms represent politics and not governing. The 2012 GOP called for an
amendment to balance the budget which would be fiscally impossible considering the
2018 increase in military spending coupled with huge tax cuts.
and can be co-opted by special interests, they are the official set of principles that define a political party.
The Washington Post details the conservative shift of GOP Platforms from the 1960s up to 2012.
Not surprisingly, the watershed moment is 1980 when “The Republican Party declares war on
government overregulation.” By 1992, the platform explains that lowering taxes on the rich will lead to
job creation and declaring an opposition to any increase in taxes. Issues such as abortion and other
faith based topics are virtually non-existent before the 1980s. However, the GOP began to identify with
the Bible Belt religious base of voters. In 1980, the platform called for an amendment outlawing
abortion even though the 1976 platform said abortion was a “moral and personal issue” in which
Republicans disagree. In fact, the most dramatic shift might be from 1960, when Republicans went
from supporting unions, immigrants and the positive role of government to the 1964 platform that
bashed Democrats for being federal extremists and spoke repeatedly of faith. By 2012, the
conservative shift was evident in calls to privatize Medicare and Social Security, while it also
promotes radical ideas such as auditing the Federal Reserve and returning to the Gold Standard.
All that said, platforms represent politics and not governing. The 2012 GOP called for an
amendment to balance the budget which would be fiscally impossible considering the
2018 increase in military spending coupled with huge tax cuts.
- What have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
- What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
- What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Katherine Mohr 3rd Period
ReplyDelete(I’m not sure if the link worked for other people, but it didn’t work for me, so I’m assuming that this is the Washington Post article that was mentioned: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-platform-through-the-years-shows-partys-shift-from-moderate-to-conservative/2012/08/28/09094512-ed70-11e1-b09d-07d971dee30a_story.html?utm_term=.059f280445f3 )
What have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
In 1964, the Republican party called out their opponents, saying “Let the Democratic Party stand accused”, and since then, they have worked to appeal to more conservative groups by shifting further and further to the right. The Tea Party movement pushed the party to increase their emphasis on smaller government and low taxation. As stated in this post, faith based topics were “virtually non-existent” before the 1980s, but citizens of Southern states, especially conservative, religious ones, have caused the GOP to favor more traditional and Protestant beliefs, as is demonstrated through common words like faith” and “heritage” in the 1980 platform. White suburban citizens have led to policies favoring the upper middle and upper classes, like lower taxes and fewer public works and services. Lower income but socially conservative voters have also led to a greater sentiment against immigration and bureaucracy within the Republican party. And overall, by moving towards more conservative policies, the Republican party has really differentiated itself from the Democratic party, enabling it to get more votes against the Democratic party that may have otherwise gone to a third party.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Excluding the 1964 Republican platform, which shifted towards more conservative values in the midst of civil rights activism and the beginnings of Vietnam War protests, the Republican platforms were much more moderate than today’s Republican party, and even sometimes progressive. Socially, the Republican party was much more progressive in the 60s and 70s, calling for a “new mix of private responsibility and public participation in the solution of social problems” in 1968. They called for efforts to minimize water and air pollution in 1968 and acknowledged global warming as late as the H. W. Bush presidency. For workers, the Republican party supported unions, “liberal pay”, more federal spending on manpower training, and higher wages for government employees. Through most of the 1960s and 1970s, they even approved of civil rights activism, called for solutions to minority discrimination, and proposed to double the number of immigrants accepted annually. However, 1964 foreshadowed the shifts that would occur later, as terms like “faith”, “heritage”, and “freedom” became more common, and the party no longer approved of things like the United Nations and civil rights activism. Then, in 1980, the party made huge shifts, transforming into the more conservative Republican party we know today.
Katherine Mohr
ReplyDeleteThe 1980 election was clearly the most important election to demonstrate that their shift was working as Reagan won in a landslide, and their continued wins through 1988 proved the win wasn’t only due to other variables. Though they won again in 2000, 2004, and 2016, all of these races were very close and don’t prove the effectiveness of shifting further right as well.
Clara Kennedy
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
One of the groups to push the GOP to adopt more conservative policies has been the Tea Party. The Tea Party's influence has led to the platform supporting a possible return to the gold standard and lower taxation. Additionally, the inclusion of the Bible Belt coalition into the GOP has pushed their stance on many social issues to be far more conservative to align with more religious viewpoints. Finally, in an attempt to include lower income but conservative voters, the GOP shifted to supporting stricter immigration and smaller government legislation.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The 1980 presidential election was the most important election in proving that the GOP political strategy was effective. Not only did the GOP mobilize a new group of voters, but they drew support from states across the country. Reagan won the presidential election easily and the GOP took control of the senate for the first time since 1955. This demonstrated that the new platform of the GOP was drawing more support nationwide than the prior platform.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms?
Prior GOP platforms have been, on average, far more moderate than the more recent platforms. For example, in 1976, abortion was “undoubtedly a moral and personal issue” and not something on which the party would take a stance. In 1968, the platform included statements explaining that need to fix air and water pollution, as well as expanding social security. Finally, in 1992, the GOP called for “political action committees supported by corporations, unions or trade associations” to be eliminated. Over time, these progressive elements have not only disappeared, but have been replaced by far more conservative beliefs.
Jasmine Ang
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The Tea Party has pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies. Fiscally, the Tea Party calls for review of the Federal Reserve and a possibility of returning to the gold standard. The Tea Party also advocated for lower taxation saying that lower taxes on the rich will benefit the economy by creating jobs. Additionally, the GOP has adopted more conservative views in terms of religion. Before the 1980s, religion did not play as large as a role, but after the 1980s terms such as "faith" and "heritage" appear much more commonly. Lastly, the watershed platform of 1980 argues for less government regulation.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The elections in 1980 proved that the GOP's strategy was working politically because Reagan won the presidential election with significantly more votes than his opponent.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms?
The GOP was not as conservative as the Republican party we know today. In fact, the prior platforms were far more moderate, and even a little liberal. During the 1960s and 1970s, the GOP advocated for an equal rights amendment that aimed to protect women. They also wanted to increase the number of immigrants by two and they also gave firm support to unions. Additionally, the 1968 platform is commonly known as having a democratic agenda- addressing air and water pollution and discrimination among majorities. It also proposed to expand Social Security, a pretty progressive policy. In 1972, the GOP platform doubled government spending on manpower training and increased help to minority three times. A huge shift away from these moderate beliefs occurred in 1980, as the platform replaced its progressive beliefs with more conservative ones. The government today is conservative, rather than moderate/progressive.
Julia Maxwell
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The GOP has been pushed to become more conservative by the Tea Party. The Tea Party wants to look at the federal reserve and return to the gold standard. This group also wants a balanced federal budget and for it to become harder for the government to raise taxes. These groups do not want the taxes to be raised because they believe that the lower taxes on the rich will help to create jobs and benefit the economy. Another reason for the GOP adopting conservative views is because of the Bible Belt voters, who pushed them to side with the religious side of issues and also make the Republican party more motivated by faith.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The 1980 election was important because the GOP realized that they were being backed by people who had a conservative view on things across the country. They not only won the presidential election, but they also won the majority in congress.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms?
The GOP was less conservative and more moderate during the 1960s and 1970s. At this time the Republican Party would emphasize federal funding for public transit, show support for an equal-rights amendment, and advocate for voting rights. The Republican party could be seen supporting the security of unions, wanting to desegregate schools, and give attention to water and air pollution. It was not until the 1980s that the party shifted to the more conservative views and these progressive elements were forgotten.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. The Bible Belt voters have pushed the GOP to take more conservative stances that match their religious beliefs, especially on social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. The Tea Party has also pushed the GOP because they want to return to the commands of the Constitution, for example having the gold standard and lowering taxes.
ReplyDelete2. The election that showed the GOP's strategy was working was Reagan's election in 1980. Reagan won many more electoral votes than his opponent, and Republicans dominated Congress, proving that the GOP's more conservative views were resonating with American citizens.
3. In the 1960s and 70s, the GOP was far more progressive than it is today. For example, in 1968, they supported acts to protect the environment, while in the present they believe that climate change is a hoax! They also supported unions and minority rights more than they do now, even wanting to increase the number of immigrants allowed into the US.
-Regan Fair
DeleteSylvia Berterretche
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
One group that has pushed the GOP to more conservative policies is the Tea Party. The Tea Party is a conservative party that opposes government spending, taxes, and involvement, and believes that government power infringes on Americans’ rights written in the constitution. They also support going back to the gold standard, defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, and require a two-thirds majority of Congress to vote in favor of raising taxes. The Republican party also, in an effort to gain more support, became the dominant party of “white suburbia”, appealing to business-focused and socially conservative voters.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The 1980 election proved to the GOP that its strategies were working because of the successful election of President Ronald Reagan. The policy of increased tax cuts and a critical attitude towards government proved to be successful.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Previous GOP platforms were much more moderate, and even attempted to be progressive, compared to recent platforms. The platforms rarely used the word “conservative”. The 1960s and 70s platforms promoted progressive Republican policies like “liberal pay” and equal rights amendments for women. In 1976 the GOP platform refused to take a stance on abortion stating it “is undoubtedly a moral and personal issue”. Additionally, the words “faith” and “heritage” were hardly ever used by the party. These progressive elements have practically vanished since the 1980s to the present day, and have recently been replaced by much more conservative and faith based ideologies.
Robert Chin
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The Tea Party has been one of the groups that has pushed the GOP to a more conservative side. The Tea Party is very conservative fiscally as seen in their desire to call for an audit of the Federal Reserve and a commission to return to the gold standard. In addition, the Bible Belt influenced the GOP's stance on abortion as the GOP began identifying with the group's religious base of voters.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The most important election that proved to the GOP its strategy was working was the 1980 election. Reagan won the presidency with an overwhelming 489 electoral votes compared to only 49 for Jimmy Carter. In addition, the Republican party would remain in office for the next 12 years with each Republican nominee winning greatly.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
In the past the GOP had many different progressive stances. The 1972 platform believed in doubling the federal spending on manpower training and even tripling the spending to help minorities. The GOP also believed in federal funding for public transportation which they would later reverse their stance on. In addition, in 1960 the GOP greatly supported union shops and other union rights, civil rights protests, and court orders ruling on school desegregation.
William Lee
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The Tea Party has influenced the GOP to adopt more conservative policies. In terms of fiscal issues, the 2012 Republican Party’s platform was impacted by the Tea Party by calling for an evaluation of the Federal Reserve and a study to determine if the country should go back to the gold standard. Additionally, the GOP’s attempt to appeal to the Bible Belt states caused the GOP to adopt conservative policies that aligned with people’s religious beliefs in the South. As a result, the GOP has developed a stance against abortion and same-sex marriage, while supporting prayer in public schools.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The most important election that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically was the 1980 election, in which Reagan won by a landslide. Their platform, which involved lowering taxes and developing a critical attitude towards the government showed the GOP that it could gain the appeal of Americans by presenting conservative policies.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
The past platforms of the GOP definitely had more progressive or moderate elements than today. In 1972, the platform involved doubling government spending on manpower training and tripling the amount spent to aid minorities. Additionally in the GOP platforms of the 60s and 70s, the GOP advocated for an equal-rights amendment for women and D.C. voting rights. Furthermore, the 1960 plank presetned the idea that government workers should earn the same as their private sector counterparts and schools should be desegregated.
Julia Doran
ReplyDelete1. What have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The Tea Party pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies as they support a smaller government and less taxes. The Tea Party also supports a balanced budget. Another group that has influence the GOP to adopt more conservative policies is the bible belt. The Bible Belt brought more conservative ideas with the ties to Evangelical Christianity. This lead the GOP to support ideas like prayer in public schools and arguing against things like same sex marriage.
2. What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The 1980 election was the most important as it proved to the party that becoming more conservative worked for them. It showed how the changed got them more support and that it was what the people wanted. Republicans continued to win elections after this further proving that conservative policy worked for them.
3. What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms?
Prior to the shift to conservative policies beginning in the 1980s the Republican Party was much more moderate to progressive. For example in the 1960 election the Republican party had “progressive Republican policies”.
Nick Nejadnik
ReplyDelete1.) Over the past few decades, the GOP has been pushed more right, mainly by the Tea Party movement and by religious conservatives from the Bible Belt. The Tea Party is essentially a movement within the GOP advocating for more conservative economic values, bordering on libertarianism. Generally speaking, they want less government involvement in the economy such as reduced taxes, reduced government spending, and government-independent healthcare. Ultimately, these are all conservative values which have been adopted by the GOP as a result of this Tea Party movement. Since the Tea Party makes up a rather large portion of the GOP and has a tendency to openly protest, the GOP has gradually given into their ideals. Similarly, Evangelical Church members also make up a significant portion of the GOP. Furthermore, the GOP must appease their demands as well, often involving adopting more socially conservative ideals which line up with those of the church. Specifically, this includes opposition to same-sex marriage, anti-abortion stances, and praying in school.
2.) The clearest example of conservative strategy working for the GOP was in 1980 where Reagan won a landslide victory over Carter by over 400 electoral votes. This election marked the realignment of GOP ideals with more conservative values, which evidently worked quite well. Specifically, Reagan's conservative ideas of increased military spending and laissez-faire economics resonated within the American people who were then upset with bad, Democrat-ran economy. In addition, the GOP even won over Congress that year.
3.) I'd say the most progressive elements of prior GOP platforms were social stances. Generally speaking, the GOP has advocated for fiscally conservative ideals ever since Reagan. Nonetheless, there have been instances of moderate to progressive social stances made by the party. Specifically, in the early days of GOP conservatism in the 60's and 70's, further aid to minorities, environmental protection, and increased attention to public works projects were all part of the platform. Unsurprisingly, today all these stances are shifted further right, continuing the trend of political polarization in the U.S..
Alex Mak
ReplyDelete1. The group that has really pushed the GOP towards more conservative polices is the Tea Party because it advocated for a reduction of the federal budget deficit by cutting government spending lowering taxes for the rich because they believe it will create more jobs which will benefit the others. For instance, they want to return to the gold standard. Additionally, the Bible Belt is another influential group that has advocated for religious conservatism such as outlawing abortion in Row v. Wade and banning same-sex marriage in the Defense of Marriage Act.
2. The election of 1980 was one of the most important elections because Regan introduced trickle-down economics that favored reducing taxes on the wealthy which would in turn benefit the entire society and some have said it had lead to a stronger GDP growth. Republicans got more and more support since then.
3. Some of the most progressive elements are how in 1960s, Republicans pushed for more liberal pay in the workforce and using wage and price controls to help lower inflation. In 1972, they wanted to triple federal spending for minorities and rarely use the word “conservative”.
Madison Kong
ReplyDelete1. The tea party movement pushed the GOP to adopt more conservatively economic policies like lower taxation, the possibility of returning to the gold standard, and the general smaller scope of government. In the 1980s, religious southerners (usually Evangelical Church members) known as the Bible belt coalition pushed the GOP towards the socially conservative and traditional beliefs (related to abortion, gay marriage, etc.). In order to target the large group of white suburban citizens, the GOP has emphasized policies that benefit the middle and upper class and focus less on the policies that might help the lower class like public service. Since the 1980s, the GOP appealed to the economically conservative by opposing government overregulation and increase in taxes.
2. Reagan’s landslide victory in the election of 1980 proved the GOP’s strategy was working. The Republican Party continued to win elections after him, showing how the increasingly conservative stances were appealing to the public in the political landscape.
3. At one point, the Republican Party pushed for federally funded public transit, equal rights amendment to protect women (1960s and 70s), security for unions (1960s), doubling the number of immigrants per year (1960s), court orders for supporting school desegregation (1960), and addressing air/water pollution and discrimination against minorities (1968). It’s clear that the GOP had progressive views in the 1960s/1970s and that they have only become more conservative as they try to appeal to different voting groups.
Nicole Louie
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
One of the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies is the Tea Party, which believes in strict adherence to the US Constitution. Recently, the Tea Party showed an interest in returning to the gold standard, balancing the federal budget, and increasing the burning of coal. Republicans have also obtained more policies to appeal to the white, poor, pro-business conservatives, who could help them win elections. Additionally, faith has become more incorperated in GOP policies because many Republicans are Christian.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The 1964 election clearly demonstrates the GOP’s working strategy when got Barry Goldwater nominated. They wanted to limit the number of immigrants coming into the country while embracing newfound voters who supported religious faith, conformity, and cutbacks for UN support. The 1980’s elections also indicated Republican success when they were able to gain traction for their policies about abortion, similar to the 1992 election to support the rejection of gay marriage and banning unions. The election of Republican President Ronald Reagan proved the GOP strategy was working. In 2012, the Republicans continued to gain support from the Bible Belt after wanting to privatize social security and Medicare, as well as wanting to return to the gold standard.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Before the changes to their party ideologies, Republicans used to hold more progressive views. They advocated for more control of finance like wage and price controls in 1972. Another liberal ideology they promoted was increasing immigration rates and helping minorities, increasing voting rights, and supporting unions. Another was supporting the UN to promote more peace. Over the years, the ideologies of the Republican party switched to more conservative views which are almost the opposite of the policies above.
Tanya Mir
ReplyDelete1. Religious groups and Bible Belt voters have had the largest influence on the Republican party. By appealing to religious voters and taking religious stances on many social issues, the GOP has leaned more conservative and has decided to completely disregard the idea of separation of church and state.
2. The election of 1980 signified major change in the Republican party. Prior to Reagan's election, the GOP was weak and divided, until Reagan mobilized a new group of fiscally-conservative Americans around the country who voted him into presidency and helped Republicans take control of the Senate.
3. Prior to the era of modern Republicans, the Republican party was not against big government and over-regulation. The GOP used to support immigration and unions, but adopted a new message of anti-government regulation in 1960. Additionally, they seemingly adopted their religious agendas around this time and began to take religious and moral sides on many social issues.
Ryan Lowe
ReplyDelete1) The main driving force behind the GOP’s move toward conservative ideals is mainly the Tea party. The Tea party ask the GOP for an audit of the Federal fiscal reserve , alter medicare from entitlement, meaning that anyone will qualify after they meet a certain requirement (normally age), to a system of personal accounts, increasing coal usage, and reducing funding to colleges that provide instate tuition to illegal immigrants. All of these cases are considered a move toward being more conservative
2) One election that demonstrated the success of the GOP was the 1980’s election. The reason that it showed success was because for the first time in 26 years the republicans were able to secure the majority of the senate. In addition Ronald Reagan beat Jimmy Carter in the presidential election in a massive landslide of 489 electoral votes to 49.
3) One of the main progressive things that the GOP focused on was how in the 1960s and 70s they wanted to protect women's rights. They also agreed that the the salaries of the government should be similar to those of private employers.
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
One group that stands out when looking at what group pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies is the Tea Party. The Tea party activists are an organization within the republican party that opposes government spending, taxation, and regulation. They are very conservative. They believe that we should stick to what the Constitution says. Another group that has pushed the GOP more conservative is the Bible Belt. This group is very religious and appeals to religious voters.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The 1980 election was an important election that showed the GOP's strategy was working politically. The republican party won by a lot more for the first time in a long time. Increasingly conservative standpoints we very appealing and got more interest in the conservative party. The big idea of "change" attracted many and got support.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
The GOP previously supported immigration and unions but altered their views as they got more conservative. They used to have very progressive stances such as equal pay and equal right among both genders. Also, the GOP didn't take a strong stance on abortion because they believed it was a personal issue.
-Tovia Sobel
Delete
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The GOP’s shift to the right can be attributed to the increasing influence of various interest groups on the party’s policies. The reason for this is that these groups can make extremely large donations through what are known as superPACs. As a result these groups hold power over the party’s ability to fundraise and thus are able to steer the policies of the Republican party in whichever direction they desire. One of the most notable pluralist groups is the NRA. Clearly, the abrupt shift has led to an increasing amount of attention on the topic of 2nd amendment freedoms. I will avoid getting too far into that topic right now. The starkest changes in the Republican party’s platform over the last 50 years have been in the social and economic sectors. The party went from having no stance on homosexuals to opposing both same-sex marriage and homosexual participation in the military. Most of all, however, has been their shift from being pro-choice to pro-life. Both of these changes can be seen as a product of the increasing influence of religion in the party’s policies. Likely, these changes have come as a result of the influence of wealthy supporters of the Republican party attempting to sway the party’s policies in their favor. Economically, the party has gone from carrying a traditional liberal stance to fervently decrying the overregulation of government: taxes, bureaucracy, tariffs, etc.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
Both Bush’s, Nixon, Reagan, and Trump.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Pro-choice
Neutral on laws regarding homosexuals
Environmentally friendly
Economically liberal
Religiously neutral’
The government must be a progressive employer that provides its employees with liberal pay - salaries comparable to those in the private sector
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The more conservative groups such as the Tea Party activists and more religious groups in general have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies. Especially voters that are referred to as the Bible Belt were identified as part of the GOP. Furthermore, the rich and the upper class have caused the GOP to adopt more conservative policies because they want to attain more economic freedom and they justify this by explaining how they will create/develop more jobs. And these rich people tend to be white, very religious, and ultimately very conservative people.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The most important elections that proved to the GOP that the strategy was working was Trump the 1960 election when they drastically shifted their beliefs, 1980 during the watershed moment, and continued in 1988. The more recent elections have not demonstrated that the strategy was working as well as the races were close; however, with Trump, you could argue that these radical ideas which were much different from Hillary could have shown some success. But then again, the election was mainly anti-Hillary compared to yay Trump.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
The most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms would be seen as something a democratic would want during the present era. However, the Republican party was much more progressive before it shifted during the last 50 years. In fact, the Republican party used to support unions, immigrants, and the positive role of the government. Furthermore, they wanted to reduce air pollution and sustain the environment. This change from a progressive party to a conservative party had to have been due to the fact that it began hurting the rich, white population that had basically started the country.
-Alex Ong
AJ Wright
ReplyDelete1- One of the biggest groups that pushed the GOP to become more conservative, was former southern democrats. After the LBJ finished out his presidency, many southern democrats began to feel disillusioned with the party. They worried that an increase in rights for minority groups and increased opportunities for womens represented a decline in "family values". Many of them found the socially conservative messages of Nixon and Reagan to be much more appealing, so they southerners began to vote with the republican party and haven't stopped since. Another key group that pushed the GOP to be more conservative, are those that oppose abortion, that is to say evangelical christians. The article mentions that republicans were initially split on Roe v Wade, but republicans candidates begin to appeal to pro-life sentiments and brought many religious voters into their base. These people were also conservative and so the republican party responded and adopted a more conservative view.
2- The election of Ronald Reagan and H.W. Bush proved to the republican party that their new stargate of advocating for small government, family values and low taxes was working. Ronald Reagan's election really was a critical election as it redefined the republican party. Since his election the party has gotten more and more conservative, continues to dominate elections in the south and midwest and is currently the strongest political party in the nation (for now).
3- Some of the more progressive elements of the old republican party of the 60's include being pro union, having the government employ a lot of people and accepting more immigrants. The article even mentions that a modern voter would be more likely to believe the old republican platform was democratic. Republicans also didn't use to criticize liberals or even identify themselves as conservatives. But as mentioned earlier the republican voter base has changed and with it their platform.
What have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
ReplyDeleteConservative groups like the Tea Party have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies. They have pushed the GOP towards actions such as smaller scope of government and cutting government spending. Other than the Tea Party, the Bible Belt was another cause of increased conservative policies by the GOP. This would lead to the adoption of beliefs such as the arguing against abortion and same-sex marriage.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The most important election that proved that the GOP's strategy was working politically was the 1980 election. In this election they saw that Reagan won by a large amount. This shows that their strategy of adopting more conservative policies would help them appear more appealing to the public.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
The most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms were their stance on social issues. This would be seen when they included a variety of public works projects and assistance for minorities as part of their platform. They also had advocated for equal-rights for women and other voting rights.
-Matthew Tran
Delete
ReplyDeleteWhat have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
The Tea party has been one of the most influential groups on the GOP, forcing the party to adopt more conservative policies. Another influential group includes southern whites, as the GOP was forced to adopt the southern strategy after the Democrats appealed to minorities and civil rights, losing their southern base. This group turned the GOP towards more conservative social policies that aligned with christian evangelicals in the south.
What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
Probably the most important election that proved the effectiveness of the GOP's strategy was the election of 1980. Ronald Reagan, who championed this new conservative movement won by a landslide, receiving nearly 91% of the electoral college votes.
What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Some of the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms that I noticed was in 1972, the platform supported government regulation on prices and wages in order to curb inflation, and earlier, in 1960, the platform expressed pro union views giving, “firm support” to “the union shop and other forms of union security.”
The GOP needed votes to win elections so they turned to religious groups, mainly in the South. The Bible Belt, mainly groups of Evangelical faith, emphasized pro-religious policies, such as the ban of abortion and no same-sex marriage. Another group that lead to more conservative policies was the Tea Party. The Tea Party promoted more libertarian ideals like returning to the gold standard.
ReplyDelete1980 (Reagan) and 2016 (Trump)
Pro-choice, environmentally friendly (Bush's efforts to find solutions to prevent warming), economically liberal, pro-union, pro-immigration (majority recognized the need to have immigrants come to work here)
ReplyDelete1. What have been the groups that have pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies?
One major group that has pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies is the Tea Party. Furthermore, southern whites also influenced the GOP to adopt more conservative policies. This is because as Democrats started to focus more on the minorities, this left the southern whites as a target group for the GOP. This ultimately pushed the GOP to adopt more conservative policies as their social policies started to align with christian evangelicals in the south.
2. What were the most important elections that proved to the GOP its strategy was working politically?
The most important elections that proved to the GOP that its strategy is working would be the elections of Reagan(1980) and Trump(2016).
3. What are the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms (see article)?
Some of the most progressive elements of previous GOP platforms would be their stances on social issues. Prior to becoming more conservative, the GOP helped the minorities through many public works/projects, and encouraged equality for women.
-Joey Zhang
DeleteJoshua Ishimoto
ReplyDelete1. The special interest groups, like with any other party, pushed the GOP to shift towards the right in the 1960s to today. Specifically, pro-life groups, born-again Christian groups, and private enterprise have pushed the GOP towards wanting general deregulation of the economy and enforcement of what they deem societal morals(ex. no same sex marriage). These groups are often representative of particular regions that once where either Democratic strongholds or liberal Republican states. After the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the south transitioned to being a solidly Republican region. The push-back against the Democratic policies in the 1970s led to the Sun Belt being available for Republicans and even today the effects of deindustrialization are making the Rust Belt more red.
2.The presidential elections of 1980, 1984, 1988, and the 1994 midterm elections all demonstrated the effectiveness of the GOP's policy platform. After the election of Ronald Reagan to the presidency in 1980, it was evident that their political plan at aiming to get the South, Bible belt, and Sun Belt would enable a win in the electoral college quite easily. However, it remains debatable that with the changing demographics making the US a minority majority nation that this plan would retain its potency.
3.
The most progressive elements of 1960 platform of the GOP were support for unions, economic regulation of the economy such as Nixon's price controls, and the socially progressive issue of addressing poverty and racial discrimination. These have come to be abandoned by the GOP in modern times in order to shift toward a more economically libertarian, socially traditional position.Today, particular emphasis is placed on faith and family values in order to cement those in the Bible Belt and South as part of their voting electorate.
Justin Huwe
ReplyDelete1. In recent years, tea party activists have been a key group pushing the Republican party in an ever more conservative direction. Specifically, Republicans have begun calling for economically conservative actions and policies such as an audit of the Federal Reserve and an investigation into returning to the gold standard. Additionally, there have been calls for amendments to balance the federal budget and require a much larger (2/3rds) majority in Congress to raise taxes. Also, the Bible Belt has had great influence in the Republican party, as the party has tried to appeal to this group of voters by not supporting abortion and gay marriage, and promoting praying in public schools. Issues of faith and religion are becoming a lot more prevalent now.
2. The most important election for the GOP was in 1980 because the party introduced a more conservative platform built on tax cuts and combating government "overregulation." Reagan's victory and the continuing success of other Republican candidates after him proved that the improved platform was appealing to the public.
3. Over the years, the GOP platform has transformed from a relatively moderate one to a deeply conservative one. Interestingly, the GOP supported a wide variety of fairly liberal policies during the 60's & 70's such as doubling the amount of immigrants allowed to enter the country per year, supporting public transit, standing strongly for school desegregation and civil rights protester rights, and resolving water and air pollution issues, etc. Many of these fairly liberal policies would change quickly as the Republican party began to adopt a much more conservative platform.