Democratic and Republican Parties are the dominant political outfits in American politics hence they tend to mount immense influence in the formulation and implementation of policies (Goodrich 223 ). This essay paper explores specific aspects of political parties and American politics.
Consequences of one Party Dominating
Republican Party has remained dominant in the state legislatures, nearly in all Southern States for more than two decades. As a consequence, the dominance of one party in the state politics has had far-reaching implications in the running of Texas. For instance, it leads to new political realignment and change of ideologies (McKee 236). The legislatures and senators tend to dance to the tune of the party that is perceived to be stronger and most popular. Secondly, it has led to an increased focus on business organizations and other prominent individuals with vested interests in state politics. Such organizations and people tend to fund political class in their campaigns. In this case, the state government may fail to serve the interests of the popular electorates as required by the American constitution. Additionally, the leading party may use to their strength of tyranny of numbers to derail formulation and implementation of various policies sponsored by the opponent political outfit. For instance, the Republican state legislators tend to suppress the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the Congress (McKee 332).
Political issues and events that allowed the national Democratic Party to take power at the federal level
Some of the political issues that enabled Democrats to assume control in collaboration with Texas Democrats included the problems of slavery and the Confederacy. Democrats took power when President James Buchanan was elected following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination (Silbey 398). During campaigns, the presidential contender, Buchanan held that slavery was an issue to be decided by the states and not the federal government hence attracting Texas Democrat votes. Also, Abraham Lincoln had opposed confederacy making slave states to lean towards Democrats (Silbey 405). Even though divided, Texas Democrats formed unease alliance with Democratic Party to take over power. Texas Democrats viewed Buchanan as the president who would end slavery.
Shift to Republican Party dominance in Texas
The popularity of the Republican Party in Texas, especially among the white conservatives started in the mid-1900s. Eisenhower wielded power in the American society and supported the popularizing of Republican Party in the state. Additionally, Political realignment also significantly contributed to the paradigm shift of Texas becoming a Republican state (Buenger 24). For example, the election of John Tower and George H.W. Bush in 1961 and 1966 respectively had significant impacts as far as political party dominance in state politics is concerned (McKee 337). Tower was a Democrat who defected to Republican Party with the aim of popularizing its ideologies. Thus, the new political realignment and the presence of prominent figures in Texas politics are primarily responsible for the current dominance of the Republican Party in Texas. Moreover, formulation and implementation of the Civil Right Act (1964) had a significant impact on the change of political party dominance, especially in Texas. Most of the southern white voters identified with the Republican Party (Buenger 25). Similar trends have been occurring over the years.
The ideologies of the Texas parties today
Even though Texas is today dominated by the Republican Party, the Democratic Party still poses excellent opposition. Republican Party holds such ideologies as equality for all, political and economic rights while the Democrats believe in economic liberalism.
Works Cited
Buenger, L Walter. "Making Sense of Texas and Its History." Southwestern Historical Quarterly 121.1 (2017): 1-26.
Goodrich, Claire. Texas Politics in State and Nation. New York: Online Published, 2015. Print.
McKee, C Seth. Republican ascendancy in southern US House elections. New York: Routledge, 2018. Print.
Silbey, Joel. A Companion to the Antebellum Presidents 1837–1861. Wiley, 2014.
