What the Rise of the Republicans as America’s First Ideological Party Means for the Democrats

Abstract

Gilman argues that the Republicans have transformed themselves into the first ideologically-defined American political party to achieve success, while the Democrats remain an old-fashioned non-ideological party serving group interests. These partisan differences are manifest in approaches to governing: Democrats prefer to bargain and compromise, while Republicans assume that a majority entitles them to full control over policy outcomes. To challenge the Republicans successfully, Democrats must abandon the old-style of governing as policy tacticians and adopt an ideological approach to governing in the classic European sense.

Recommended Citation

Gilman, Nils (2004) "What the Rise of the Republicans as America’s First Ideological Party Means for the Democrats," The Forum: Vol. 2 : Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.2202/1540-8884.1025
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol2/iss1/art2