United States Political Parties
A clear, up-to-date guide to the major political parties in the United States. Compare the Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Greens: their ideologies, policies, and where they stand.
The United States has a two-party system in which the Democratic Party and the Republican Party dominate national politics. Third parties such as the Libertarians and the Greens contest elections and shape debate but rarely win federal office, in part because the electoral system tends to favour two large parties.
This guide sets out where each major party stands: its history, its core ideology, and its positions on the economy, social questions, and foreign policy. Use it to understand the American political landscape, then take the test to see where your own views fall.
Democratic Party
Centre-left · Founded 1828
The older of the two major American parties and the traditional home of the centre-left, favouring an active federal government, a broad social safety net, and expanded civil rights.
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Republican Party
Centre-right to right-wing · Founded 1854
One of the two major American parties, known as the GOP, standing on the centre-right and reshaped since 2016 by the populist and nationalist movement around Donald Trump.
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Libertarian Party
Libertarian · Founded 1971
The largest of the American third parties, arguing for maximum individual liberty, a sharply limited government, free markets, and non-intervention abroad.
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Green Party
Left-wing · Founded 2001
A left-wing party built around environmentalism and social justice, organised on principles of grassroots democracy and independence from corporate money.
Read full profile →Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion United States political test to see how your views compare with these parties.
Take the United States Test