Political Party Stances on Policies
The political landscape in the United States is shaped by two dominant forces — the Democratic and Republican parties, each holding distinct ideological frameworks and policy preferences. These differing beliefs, often categorized along the lines of liberal (left) and conservative (right), guide each party’s positions on critical national issues. From economic strategies and education reform to healthcare access and immigration policy, the platforms of both parties influence legislation and shape public discourse.
What Do Democrats and Republicans Stand For?
The Democratic Party, associated with left-leaning and progressive views, tends to show the following traits:
- They support policies like socialized healthcare, environmental regulation, expanded civil rights, and government-funded education.
- Its platform emphasizes government involvement as a tool for equity and social welfare.
- Popular Democratic issues include climate change mitigation, gun control, income inequality reform, and the protection of minority rights.
In contrast, the Republican Party, identified with conservative or right-leaning values, tends to show the following traits:
- They generally advocates for limited government, free-market economics, lower taxes, and strong national defense.
- Republican Party views often prioritize personal responsibility, states’ rights, and traditional family values.
- Common Republican issues include tax cuts, deregulation, gun rights, border security, and opposition to abortion and government overreach.
This page outlines more than 90 major political policies and where each party typically stands on them. Scroll below to view a detailed breakdown of Democratic and Republican stances on today's most critical policy issues.
Political Party Policy Stances (by Category)
Support 
Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against Government spending on healthcare is a pertinent issue in American politics, and both political parties have…
Against Support Military spending is a higher budgetary priority for Republicans than for Democrats. The 2024 Republican Party…
Support Against The world nowadays is full of media biases, whether in news or rhetoric, and it…
Support Against Scientific research government spending refers to how much money the United States government should allocate…
Support Against Social security is a social policy in the United States that provides monthly payments to retirees,…
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Against Support Bias in the media profoundly influences how the public understands major political events, shaping both immediate…
Support Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Mandatory minimum sentences, laws that require fixed prison terms for specific crimes (often drug-related), have…
Support Support Support for the legalization of medical marijuana policies has become increasingly popular among both Democrats and…
Support Against Support for the legalization of medical marijuana policies has become increasingly popular among both Democrats and…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe—in both news coverage and political rhetoric—stem from the fundamental…
Support Against Trump’s impeachments have been one of the most polarizing and partisan issues in contemporary politics. Media…
Against Support The opinions surrounding various topics have undergone drastic changes since their implementation, largely due to…
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Against Support Bias in the media strongly influences how the public perceives political and economic systems, shaping attitudes…
Against Against Eminent domain refers to the power held by the government to take private property and…
Against Support A flat tax rate refers to a tax policy that includes a single tax rate…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against Income inequality laws are any passed pieces of legislation that allow for a more equal…
Support Support Infrastructure investment is a fiscal policy measure taken by the government to build or improve…
Support Support International free trade has long divided American politics, with lawmakers’ views shifting over time in…
Support Against Labor Unions are simply an organized association of workers formed to protect and further their…
Support Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against Much of what we interpret as media biases, whether in political news or rhetoric, is…
Against Support Social security privatization is the notion of moving Social Security from the public sector to…
Support Against The Democratic platform expresses support for systems of socialized healthcare such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable…
Support Against In contemporary politics, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and highly partisan, one of which…
Against Support The U.S.-China trade relationship has long been one of the most important and contentious aspects…
Support Against Despite all of the greatly polarizing and dividing topics seen in contemporary politics, some are…
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Against Support Becoming educated about media leanings helps readers account for biased news reporting and policy discussions to…
Support Against Bias in the media strongly influences how the public interprets major education reforms, and few issues…
Support Against Free college education is a policy where college education is free and funded by the…
Support Support School vouchers are certificates of government funding provided to parents for the option of sending…
Support Against Student debt cancellation has been a highly debated topic among political candidates and has only become…
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Support Support Because media bias in politics is inevitable, responsible citizens must develop media literacy to recognize prejudices…
Against Support The Electoral College is the primary method through which the United States elects the president.…
Against Support Voting is a main way that people in a democracy can exercise their freedoms and…
Support Support Voting is a main way that people in a democracy can exercise their freedoms and…
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Support Against Bias in the media influences how the public perceives events, people, and political issues—and environmental policy…
Against Support Bias in the media strongly influences how the public interprets energy debates—especially when livelihoods, electricity…
Support Against In recent years, environmental regulation has become a central issue in United States politics as…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against Whether due to media bias or biased news, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and defining…
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Against Support The European Economic Community (EEC), established in 1957 by France, West Germany, Belgium, Italy, and…
Support Support Bias in journalism complicates efforts to put together firm political beliefs and follow real-world events. Various…
Support Against European Union policy refers to the United States’ support of the European institution. The European Union comprises…
Support Against International involvement refers to the United States’ proactive participation in foreign affairs. Presidents are primarily…
Support Against International involvement refers to the United States’ proactive participation in foreign affairs. Presidents are primarily…
Support Support U.S. sanctions on Iran block government assets, limit trade, prohibit foreign assistance, and prevent arms…
Against Against Since the terrorist attack on the United States by an Islamic extremist group in 2001,…
Against Against To simply explain isolationism, it is a government policy or doctrine that involves taking no…
Against Support The sovereignty of the Jewish nation-state refers to the recognition of Israel as a sovereign…
Against Support Nationalism, made distinct from patriotism by its propensity to advance one nation to the detriment…
Support Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Support Sanctions are political or economic restrictions enacted by one organization or country against another. Beginning…
Support Against Whether due to media bias or biased news, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and defining…
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Support Against Government dependency refers to the state of a household being dependent on government welfare benefits.…
Support Against Government intervention refers to government interference in the private sector and lives via regulation. In…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against In contemporary politics, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and highly partisan, one of which…
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Against Support Bias in the media strongly influences how the public interprets major political and social issues. In…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Gun violence in America is a contentious issue grounded in the constitutional framework surrounding the…
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Support Against Many of the media biases we observe—in both news coverage and political rhetoric—stem from the…
Support Against The political bias found in media sources is rooted in the fundamental beliefs held by the…
Support Against The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an unprecedented fiscal response from the U.S. government, aiming to mitigate…
Support Against The Covid-19 Pandemic has been a point of contention with respect to the government’s handling…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Against Embryonic stem-cell research refers to research that attempts to find therapies using donated embryos. Embryonic…
Support Against Support for Planned Parenthood, an organization centered on providing reproductive care including contraception and abortion…
Against Support Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Support Shelter-in-place mandates refer to government orders for citizens to remain in their homes during the 2020…
Support Against Whether due to media bias or biased news, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and defining…
Support Against Whether due to media bias or biased news, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and defining…
Support Against In contemporary politics, many topics are becoming increasingly polarizing and highly partisan, one of which…
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Support Against Democrats tend to regard refugee migration more positively than Republicans. The Republican Party platform assumes the position…
Support Support When responsible readers want to stay up-to-date, they inevitably encounter and are compelled to scrutinize…
Support Against Biased sources make the news landscape confusing and demanding of a great deal of energy and…
Against Support Bias coming from policy stances held by news sources colors information. The best news sources reduce…
Against Support Because unbiased media is scarce at best, those who seek to stay informed need a solid…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Against Support Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been the center of many contemporary and contentious political debates…
Support Against Sanctuary cities are cities in the United States that provide safe harbor to undocumented immigrants…
Against Support New travel bans from the Trump Administration restricting entry into the U.S. have become a…
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Against Support Several topics in contemporary politics have become increasingly partisan-based, and, while there can be unbiased…
Against Support Several topics in contemporary politics have become increasingly partisan-based, and, while there can be unbiased…
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Support Against Media literacy is indispensable in navigating political topics and forming informed opinions while mitigating bias…
Support Against Bias in the news increases the complexity of understanding the actions of and responses to political…
Support Support Bias in the media influences perceptions of events, people, and political issues. Researching political parties and…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe, whether in news coverage or political rhetoric, stem from…
Support Support The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) refers to a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution.…
Support Against Over the past several decades, LGBTQ policy issues have emerged as a defining issue in American…
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe—in both news coverage and political rhetoric—stem from the fundamental…
Against Support Religious freedom refers to an individual’s ability to practice or not practice any form of…
Support Against Separation of church and state in the United States refers to a policy that prevents…
Support Against Slavery, or the ownership of a human being as property, was commonplace around the world…
Support Against Although many issues are just now becoming divisive and polarizing in contemporary politics, some have…
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Political Party Policy Stances (Alphabetical)
Support Against Many of the media biases we observe—in both news coverage and political rhetoric—stem from the…
Support Against Media literacy is indispensable in navigating political topics and forming informed opinions while mitigating bias…
Support Against The political bias found in media sources is rooted in the fundamental beliefs held by the…
Support Against Bias in the news increases the complexity of understanding the actions of and responses to political…
Support Against Democrats tend to regard refugee migration more positively than Republicans. The Republican Party platform assumes the position…
Support Support When responsible readers want to stay up-to-date, they inevitably encounter and are compelled to scrutinize…
Understanding Policy, Strengthening Perspective
As the issues dividing Democrats and Republicans continue to evolve, so too does the need for clear, unbiased access to political information. On this page, we tried to provide a tool that is more than just a comparison of left vs right policies. It will help you navigate the real differences in how each party proposes to lead the country, based on values, ideology, and competing visions for the future.
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