Write an essay explaining your view of a party's position on an issue. Introduction Political parties have long been a part of American politics. Formed and supported by people who share opinions on a wide variety of issues, parties help elect leaders at the local, state, and national levels. One way to learn if a party's views appeal to you is by studying the platform statement of the party's position on issues it considers important. In this activity, you will analyze the platforms of the two major parties in the United States, the Democrats and the Republicans.
Procedure Go to the Web sites for the Democratic and Republican parties.
Browse each site to learn the issues that concern each party. Take notes as you go. Find a current or recent party platform for each party. Create a chart to compare the positions of each party on five issues. Include education, defense spending, welfare reform, and foreign policy in your chart.