I then wanted to look into why we had political parties to start with. I found a history of political parties on the Library of Congress’s website.
In Definitions blog post, I define the 2 “major” parties, Democrat and Republican, with the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The following were not in the dictionary. I defined them through their websites (noted after each). These are the ones I am aware of. If you know of any others please share. :)
The Reform Party started in early 1990’s defines themselves as -
“For over twenty years the Reform Party of the United States has been fighting for honest leadership and real solutions. As the leading moderate, centrist and populist political party, it represents the sixty percent of moderate voters ignored by the Democratic and Republican incumbents. Without backing from any special interest funds, or donations with strings attached, the all volunteer Reform Party is here to fight for you.
The Reform Party stands for ethics reform that create a transparent government beholden to the American People. It fights for the American economy and middle class by supporting common sense economic policies that bring jobs back to the United States, and rebuilds American’s manufacturing sector.
The Reform Party is the alternative to political gridlock in Washington. The party seeks to build a political infrastructure that can match the Democrats and Republicans in votes, donations and offices held without succumbing to the special interests and self serving behavior that has corrupted America’s government.”
https://reformparty.org/about-reform-party/
The Libertarian Party started in 1971 defines themselves as -
“The Libertarian Party (LP) is your representative in American politics. It is the only political organization which respects you as a unique and responsible individual.
Our slogan is that we are “The Party of Principle”, because we stand firmly on our principles.
Libertarians strongly oppose any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions. Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.”
https://www.lp.org/about/
The Socialist Party of America was started in 1901. I was not able to find a website for them by typing that name into the Google search bar. The following is from the Socialst Party USA’s website.
“THE SOCIALIST PARTY strives to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control -- a classless, feminist, socialist society free of racism, sexism, homophobia or transphobia, in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community.
Socialism is not mere government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools. The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth.
Under both capitalist and authoritarian statist systems, people have little control over fundamental areas of their lives. The capitalist system forces workers to sell their abilities and skills to the few who own the workplaces, profit from these workers' labor, and use the government to maintain their privileged position, while further impelling the drain of society’s productive wealth and goods into military purposes, the despoliation of the environment and natural resources, and perpetual war in which workers are compelled to fight other workers. Under authoritarian statist regimes, decisions are made by ruling party officials, the bureaucracy and the military. The inevitable product of each system is a highly stratified society with
gross inequality of resources, privileges, and substantive participation in political life.
People across the world need to cast off the systems which oppress them, and build a new world fit for all humanity. Democratic revolutions are needed to dissolve the power now exercised by the few who control great wealth and the government. By revolution we mean a radical and fundamental change in the structure and quality of economic, political, and personal relations. The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working "on behalf of" the people. The working class is in a key and central position to fight back against the ruling capitalist class and its power. The working class is the major force worldwide that can lead the way to a socialist future – to a real radical democracy from below”
https://www.socialistpartyusa.net/principles-points-of-agreement
There was a website for the Democratic Socialists of America. https://www.dsausa.org/
The Natural Law Party started in 1992 defined themselves as -
“The Natural Law Party is the fastest growing new political party in America. In the 2000 election, our Natural Law-Independent coalition candidates received over 1.4 million nationwide, with many candidates winning 10%–20% of the vote and several winning 20%–30%—the highest average percentages for Natural Law candidates in any election so far. In addition, millions of citizens signed petitions to put the Natural Law Party on the ballot in their states, demonstrating the extensive grassroots support for the Party’s proven solutions to the nation’s problems.”
https://www.natural-law.org/introduction/index.html
The Constitution Party started 1992. They had websites for different states. The following definition is from their National Platform PDF (linked) as was adopted 2012.
“We declare the platform of the Constitution Party predicted on the principles of: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights, according to the original intent of the Founding Fathers. These founding documents are the foundation of our Liberty and the Supreme Law of the Land.
The sole purpose of the government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is to secure our unalienable rights given us by our Creator. When Government grows beyond this scope, it is usurpation and liberty is compromised.
We believe the major issues we face today are best solved by a renewed allegiance to the original intent of these founding documents.”
https://www.constitutionparty.com/assets/National-Platform-Full-Version.pdf
The Green Party started in 2001 defines themselves as -
“Welcome to the Green Party of the United States (GPUS), an independent political party that is connected to American social movements, and is part of a global Green movement that shares key values, including our Four Pillars: Peace and Non-Violence, Ecological Wisdom, Grassroots Democracy, and Social Justice, and our Ten Key Values.” The 10 key values are grassroots democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, non-violence, decentralization, community-based economics, feminism and gender equity, respect for diversity, personal and global responsibility, future focus and sustainability.”
https://www.gp.org/about
The Tea Party started in 2009 define themselves as-
“The Tea Party are those who possess a strong belief in the Judeo-Christian values embedded in our great founding documents. We believe the responsibility of our beloved nation is etched upon the hearts of true Patriots from every race, religion, national origin, and walk of life sharing a common belief in the values which made and keep our beloved nation great. This belief led to the creation of the modern-day Tea Party.
Our millions of members consist of Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents who identify with the premises set forth by the U.S. Constitution and we are striking a chord and ringing true with the American Spirit.
We stand by the Constitution as inherently conservative.
We serve as a beacon to the masses who have lost their way, a light illuminating the path to the original intentions of our Founding Fathers.
We must have a choir of voices declaring America must stand on the values which made us great, only then will the politically blind see and deaf hear!
By joining the Tea Party, you are taking a stand for our nation. You will be upholding the grand principles set forth in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.”
https://www.teaparty.org/about-us/
The Republican Party was started in 1854. According to Wikipedia they “underwent a social ideological shift” in 1912. I defined this term in the Definitions post. Here is their website. https://www.gop.com/
The Democratic Party was started in 1828. I defined this term in the Definitions blog post. Here is their website. https://democrats.org/
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