Political Views
Politics the term used to describe the way that groups of people come to decisions about the actions they will undertake collaboratively. Politics is derived from the Greek word politika. The Greek is taken from the name of a book of theory by Aristotle of the same name. It is used to mean “affairs of state.” Politics involves the attempts of different sides in a debate to convince other people to share the same political view, despite starting with different political views. Proponents of similar political view often organize themselves into political parties. While the United States has only two dominant parties, the Republican party and the Democratic party, other countries may consist of many political parties. In countries containing a greater number of political parties, there is greater homogenization of political views within the party, and a corresponding diffusion of parties espousing different political views.
There are two major conflicts between political theories. The first is the conflict between the left and the right. The left is generally considered to have a political view more progressive and seeking to eradicate social inequalities, while the right’s political view is generally conservative and sees social inequalities and an intrinsic part of human existence. The other differences in political views takes place between libertarians and authoritarians. A libertarian political view values a strong individual and a weak state. Authoritarian political views support a weak individual and an empowered state. Libertarian political views s support as great a reduction in the size, scope and authority of the government as feasible, while an authoritarian political view supports a further consolidation of governmental control. There are various degrees of left, right, libertarian, and authoritarian political views.
Current Republican political views are generally considered to be libertarian and conservative. Democratic political views are generally liberal and authoritative in regards to the role of government, but take a political view in regard to personal liberty with is more libertarian. It is rare to encounter a Republican espousing authoritarian political views on any issue not related to law enforcement. The libertarian trend in Republican politics was advocated by Ronald Reagan, whose presidency has set off a conservative Republican revolution lasting more than thirty years. Republican politics as expressed in the Republican presidential platforms in recent years have been supportive of a free market in the economy, although the recent political view of both parties is leaning towards tighter regulation. Republican political views have been slow to accept the idea of global warming, support overturning abortion, are in favor of increased gun ownership, and critical of affirmative action. Meanwhile Democratic political views are typically the opposite. There is greater variety of political view within the Democratic party, as required by the fact that there are more registered Democrats. Despite broadening political views within the Republican party, the Republicans more generally share a unified political view from with in the party, with few elected Republicans breaking party ranks. Tea party political views have begun to sap some of the Republican unity.