Whats's the difference between democrats and republicans? And the difference between the right and the left?
830718
Democrats believe in taxation and wealth redistribution. They believe the Government is the solution to every problem.\n\nRepublicans believe that business helps spread wealth. They believe the individual is the solution to the problems they face.\n\nThe difference between left and right........... just shows how well the dumbing down of America has worked!
320976
Here's a wikipedia article that can explain it better than I ever could. In summary, as far as I know, left is more liberal, right is more conservative.
865922
Independent.  I don't want to be categorized as either, yet I tend to lean towards democrat because their interests lie in the every day, little guy problems, whereas the republicans are all about big business and whoever has the most money wins.\n\nI am probably more socialist than anything else.
846983
The basic difference is that Republicans follow a conservative philosophy and Democrats follow a liberal philosophy. \n\nA liberal would say that a proper role for government is to regulate and oversee the economy. Liberals say it's proper for government to ensure that companies do the right thing (such as pay minimum wages), and to ensure that people act responsibly in their finances (such as requiring contributions to retirement savings).\n\nA conservative would say that a proper role for government is to regulate and oversee morality. Conservatives say it's proper for government to ensure that people are punished for immoral acts (such as taking drugs), and that people act appropriately in their marriages (such as banning homosexual marriage).\n\nA libertarian would say that neither of those is a proper role for government. Libertarians say that the only proper role is to maintain an army for defense against invasion, to maintain a court system for ensuring justice, and other constitutionally defined roles. \n\nA populist would say that both economic and moral intervention are proper roles for government. \n\nSome people classify libertarians as conservatives and some classify populists as liberals. Those definitions fall apart when libertarians talk about moral issues like abortion (pro-choice) or drugs (pro-legalization). \n\nRalph Nader and Pat Buchanan both consider themselves "populists," but the press usually classifies Nader as liberal and Buchanan as conservative. Yet they agree entirely on their most important issue, opposing free trade and globalization. \n\nThe problem with a one-dimensional definition like liberal and conservative is that it doesn't define well political reality. The two-dimensional definition is better.
949227
In the political spectrum, there is little difference between the two parties. It's more hype to keep the respective bases in line, as you state.
485280
Republicans: to conserve national traditions, limit government interference, promote big business, and support democracy causes.\n\nDemocrats: to reshape government, to acquire more government control, limit big businesses, and focus on domestic issues.
184438
Democrats believe that  we need big government to solve problems. Republicans believe people can solve problems if government will leave them alone and stop taxing them so much. Dem's are likely to believe unions are a good thing, Republicans are likely to believe that small businessmen are the backbone of our nation. Dem's want someone to take care of them. Rep want the chance to do for themselves. I hope this answer will help you to see the difference.
922471
If you are in the States, I believe you mean the Democrats.  Liberal is a political standpoint, like conservative.  Republican & Democrat are actually political parties.
941887
Republicans believe that everyone has an equal chance to succeed, so they are against Affirmative Action and the like, because, unlike Democrats, they feel that minorities have every chance to do well.  Republicans believe in Equality.  Republicans believe in lower taxes and free trade\n\nDemocrats are more socialist.  They believe in the distribution of wealth.  They believe in the expansion of a welfare state.  They oppose a strong military and national defense.  They are for raising taxes and more government programs
234151
In the US, there are only two main factions.  They are the Democrats and the Republicans.  The Democrats are more for the working folks and younger people.  The Republicans are more for the older and richer people.\n\nSpecial interest groups are very influential in American politics, they invest millions of dollars into the campaign of many politicians from the lowest level to the highest.  Their influence is to try to pass legislation that will benefit their industry.
78395
A conservative usually tries to keep the system the same. A liberal tries to change things. Generally Republicans tend to be conservative and Democrats tend to be liberal.
149779
The Republicans, the Democrats and what's the third one????
966531
oh wow!  There are 2 major parties in the United States. Democrats and Republicans. Some democrats, well usually most, no offence, can be liberals. Sometimes, they are liberals. Republicans are representated by an elephant. Go to the national republican or national democrat websites to learn about their history and facts. It is pretty interesting.
824480
This is actually close to the description I use to illustrate the basic difference between Republicans and Democrats:\n\nDemocrats will help feed the people fish.\nRepublicans will teach people to fish.\n\nThis philosophy is kind of a touchstone on how to think about the parties. Democrats are all about the individual, providing for one person at a time, reading to them. Republicans want to help the larger class of people, thus will provide teaching to help the people make their own way.
753493
republicans crossed the line a long time ago.  They are so far over the line that they can't see it behind them with a telescope.\n\n\nthe difference between republican and Democratic dirty tricks is that when Democrats do it, it is one or two misguided individuals.  republicans do it on directives from the party.
214486
Veeery generaly speaking, the Left (liberal) and Right (conservative) of politics came out of the French Revolution.\n\nAt that time, the Left was more concerned with laws that protect people's rights, and the conservatives are more concerned with laws that protect property.  \n\nFrom this, the traditional Liberal and Conservatives have arisen.  No one politican or person exemplifies what the TRUE definition of the words are, but issue by issue, the sides of politics have been created by these factions.\n\nIf you ask me, the terms liberal and conservative are meaningless, because they can't capture the entire persons views, and a person who describes themselves as a dem, repub, liberal or conservative is doing an injustice to the political process.\n\nAll politicians agree that its not about sides, its about issues.  Not about teams, its about debate and progress.
867818
The Republicans are more intelligent and make better arguments.\n\nThe Democrats are pedantic crybabies who just call names.