a dime’s worth of difference? party governance in america

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?

Party Unity Votes, 1879-2010

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



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



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



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



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



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



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!

B. Social Welfare Spending: Democrats favor -- when threatened

IV. Unanswered Questions – Next lecture and Abramowitz

A. To what extent does ideology predict party positions?

B. To what extent are divisions between party elites mirrored in the general public?

C. How do states’ political cultures and ideologies differ?

a dime’s worth of difference? party governance in america

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