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From my experience (some of which is comprised by reading these forums over the years), there are three main visible political groups in the U.S., not the two (Republicans and Democrats) as often thought. I define "political group" as a group of individuals that 1) share common political views in many (though not all) areas and 2) tend to identify, at least loosely, with others sharing the same views. They are:
1. Liberals, or "Democrats": This group came into its present form in the midst 1960's and 1970's counterculture.
Socially, an archetypal liberal supports the right of women to choose; supports same-sex marriage; lukewarmly supports legalization of certain narcotics, or at least less harsh penalties for their use and sale.
Culturally, they tend to be multiculturalists and oppose the strict anti-illegal immigration laws recently passed.
Fiscally, they stand behind higher taxes for the more privileged groups in society. They see increasing revenue as more of a priority than decreasing spending in balancing the budget. They are the most ardent supporters of universal health care and other "safety net" programs. They believe the government has a large role to play in ending poverty, and is perhaps the most efficient means of doing so.
On the defense front, they tended to oppose coalition intervention in Iraq, and are generally not in favor of increasing defense spending or embarking on grand projects to bolster security.
The party of the Liberals is the Democrat Party; media channels often associated with them are the New York Times, the former "Air America", certain PBS and NPR programs; politicians that personify the Liberals are Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy.
2. Conservatives, or "Republicans": This group came into its present form in the 1980's with the integration of the "Moral Majority" and like groups. In the past three years, the Tea Party movement has emerged in reaction to centrist Republicans, often known as "RINOs" (Republicans in Name Only). They claim to defend authentic conservatism, and perhaps best embody the essential viewpoints of this group.
The archetypal Conservative strongly defends the right of the unborn to live (and the corollary laws restricting women from aborting), is anti-same-sex marriage (which they call "supporting the traditional family"), and is opposed to laws decriminalizing the use of substances. The group's social viewpoints are rooted in a conservative Christian worldview.
Culturally, they strongly tend to support harsh penalties for illegal immigration and English-only schemes.
Fiscally, they are generally opposed to new taxes and often support cutting existing ones. They are far more likely to see decreasing spending as more of a priority than increasing revenue in balancing the budget. They oppose and use every opportunity to malign universal health care, as they do other programs which they consider socialist. They are probably the group most likely to believe in and support the unique American economic structure. That said, they prefer charitable giving over government entitlements, and probably give more of their income to charities and religious organizations (many of which serve charitable ends) than the other two groups.
On the defense front, they tended to strongly support coalition intervention in Iraq. They are the most likely to support American military involvement overseas.
The party of the Conservatives is the Republican Party; media channels often associated with them are the Fox News Channel, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and other radio talk show hosts; politicians that personify the conservatives, especially in their present form are Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin.
3. Independents: Although "independents" hold by definition "independent" views, many Independents hold the same set of views and comprise a political group, rendering the common phrasing of them in the media an oxymoron. This group has grown tremendously over the past decade. Many are ex-Republicans disenchanted by their former party's conservative Christian slant on social issues.
Socially, an archetypal Independent staunchly supports the right of women to choose, but not taxpayer funding of abortion; supports same-sex marriage (or does not think the government should at all be involved in marriage); and strongly supports legalization of certain narcotics, as well as of prostitution. Their social views are rooted in the "harm principle": if it doesn't hurt other people, or other people consent to be "hurt", then the government should not have any involvement in it.
Culturally, there is no strong group consensus, but many support defending our borders as a matter of national security.
Fiscally, they are generally opposed to new taxes and often support cutting existing ones. They are far more likely to see decreasing spending as more of a priority than increasing revenue in balancing the budget. They tend to support a flat tax. They are strongly opposed to universal health care and other programs that reek of an entitlement or re-distribution of wealth, which they are ardently opposed to. "I got mine, now you get yours" (or "I'm going to get mine") is a common attitude among Independents.
On the defense front, they tended to oppose coalition intervention in Iraq. They are the most likely to oppose American military or humanitarian involvement overseas.
The Independents have no party; although there is a Libertarian Party, they are not synonymous with traditional libertarianism, which is rooted in a deeper and more all-encompassing philosophy. Independents, on the other hand, tend to be pragmatic. Likewise, no politician or celebrity I know of is strongly associated with the Independents, nor have any channels of media associated themselves with this group, perhaps because of its novelty and the fact that it is a reaction to the two dominant political parties.
Seems fair enough, as a generalization. Is this a homework assignment? Seems written in that format.
I'm not sure if I like the strong categorization where you equate liberals with democrats, and conservatives with Republicans, as all four are somewhat independent things, though there is no doubt a strong correlation the way you stated it.... the categorization was too strong, as stated.
A minor phrasing adjustment would clear that up. (e.g. write something like "Liberals, who are often members of the Democratic Party," as opposed to saying, "Liberals, or Democrats...." as if to imply a perfect correlation in the latter phrasing. Then same rephrasing with conservatives).
I approached your comments with a certain degree of skepticism but found that your three broad groups were pretty accurate. I was especially surprised to find that your third group, "the independents" summed up my own political views pretty closely. The exception is over universal health care which I consider to be as much of a fiscal issue as it is a social one anyway.
Most people that are "independent" lean one way or the other. I think the last poll I saw showed that 9 out of 10 independents voted for the same party over and over again.
So if you have voted Democrat for President, you're likely to continue that trend. Same with Republican.
No. You are way off, not even on the map of reality. Actually a bit sad.
The three groups are industrialists (military/industrial complex), bankers, oilmen.
(Study the history of the Bush family, for example, they have feet in all three interlocking rings.)
The rest is puppet theater.
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