A Dime’s Worth of Difference? Party Governance in America.
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Transcript of A Dime’s Worth of Difference? Party Governance in America.
I. The questions of party governance
• Do parties behave differently once in government?
• In a two-party system, are the two parties really all that different?
• Since American parties are weak, do their members even follow party lines?
II. Do parties matter? The Party-Policy Connection in Congress
• Roll-call votes = Behavioral measure of ideology (actions instead of words)• Limited to 109th/110th Congresses (2005-
2006 and 2007-2008)• Controversial issues only (split is between
40-60 and 60-40)• High party unity on these votes (party line)
A. Foreign Policy: Republicans hard-line, skeptical of international cooperation
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Iraq War / Surge / No Deadline For Against
Increase BMD Funding For Against
Fund Cuba Democ Programs For Against
New Nukes For Against
UN Reform For Against
Limit AIDS $ For Against
Border Fence For Against
CAFTA-DR For Against
Min. Rest Periods for Troops Against For
Allow Contraceptives in Population Control Aid
Against For
Increase Ag. Trade With Cuba Against For
ICC Against For
B. Economic Policy: Republicans pro-business, anti-tax, anti-union
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Repeal Estate Tax For Against
Restrict Indiv. Bankruptcy For Against
Tort Reform For Against
AMT Relief (Unfunded) For Against
AMT Relief (Offset with Tax on Offshore Incomes)
Against For
Overturn Ledbetter Against For
Increase Min. Wage Against For
Penalize Gas Price-Gouging Against For
Tax Energy Companies Against For
Increase Mineral Royalties Against For
Standards for Home Loans Against For
Recog. Union Check-Cards Against For
C. Incompatible Values: Republicans against Gay Rights, Abortion, Drugs, Multiculturalism
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Stem-Cell Research Against For
Ban Discrim. Against Gays Against For
Expand Hate Crimes Law Against For
Allow Abortion: Military Hosp. Against For
Bar Planned P-hood Funds For Against
Limit Abortion: Minors For Against
Allow Relig. Hiring by Faith-Based Head Start Providers
For Against
No Health Care Funds for Unmarried Couples
For Against
Ban Needle Exchange in DC For Against
Allow English-Only Workplac For Against
Require English on Financial Aid Applications
For Against
D. Social Welfare: Republicans willing to limit or privatize
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Prohibit SSA-Mexico Coop For Against
Social Security Private Accts For Against
Curb Medicare, Medicaid, Student Loans
For Against
Restrict state oversight of HMOs
For Against
Cut HIV/AIDS Grants For Against
Require Medicare to Negot. Drug Prices
Against For
Expand S-CHIP Against For
E. Environment: Republicans less willing to trade growth/profits for protection
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Drill ANWR / Coasts For Against
Limit Greenhouse Gases Against For
Limit Endangered Spec. Act For Against
Regulate Workplace Exposure to Artificial Butter
Against For
Increase Fuel Efficiency Standards
Against For
F. Civil Liberties Issues: Party split over which liberties are sacrosanct
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Prohibit DC Gun Law Enforcement
For Against
Immunize Gun Manufacturers
For Against
Ban Flag Burning For Against
PATRIOT Act For Against
REAL ID Act For Against
Ban Felons From Rebuilt Katrina Housing
For Against
Immunize Telecoms For Against
Prove Residency for Sect. 8 For Against
Limit Eminent Domain For Against
F. Civil Liberties Issues: Party split over which liberties are sacrosanct
Issue Republican Representatives
Democratic Representatives
Limit Domestic Surveillance Against For
Tape Detainee Interrogations Against For
Give DC Voting Rep. Against For
Don’t Enforce Law vs. Med. Marijuana
Against For
Ban Torture Against For
G. Summary: General differences between parties in Congress
In Congress…• Republicans favor trade (except Cuba) and military
expansion, oppose international courts and environmental treaties
• Republicans oppose abortion, gay rights, government social welfare programs, services to nonresidents, services to non-English speaking
• Republicans favor business and higher-income workers over lower-income workers or environmental protection, and oppose taxes and unions
• Republicans seek to expand gun rights and property rights but not speech rights or 4th Amendment rights
• Democrats are opposite on each of these dimensions
H. Caveat: Party Unity Varies By Representative (Weak Party Discipline)
• Example: Republican Senators from Maine…
• Surprise: Despite reputation for unity, Republican scores were lower than Democrat scores in 2010!
III. Parties at the State LevelA. Traditional finding: State party control has
little effect on state policy1. Possible explanation: State parties adapt to voters
in the state and move to the center once elected.
a. Result: Policy tends to follow ideology of state voters rather than which party controls government
b. Examples: Pro-life Democrats in PA, pro-choice Republicans in NY
2. Possible exception: Highly competitive states (single-party states give ruling party no incentive to implement policy)
Findings
• State ideology determines state party positions
• Republicans in liberal states more liberal than Democrats in conservative states!