Originally published on the CGS blog on September 5, 2012.
Now that both the Democrats and the Republicans have released their official party platforms for 2012, they can be compared side-by-side. We’ve done all of the legwork for you and have summarized their main stances on a number of issues. Hyperlinks are included and they will take you to the pertinent section of that party’s platform if you want to read the actual text.
Update September 6: Changes made on the floor of the Democratic Convention have resulted in the platform stating that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that the status of Jerusalem as an Israeli holding is a condition for any peace talks.
Issue |
Democratic |
Republican |
|
Energy |
Use all energy sources, utilize alternative fuel and clean energy |
“all of the above” approach to energy, let the free market dictate direction |
|
Environment |
Protect natural resources, realizes threat of global warming to environment and national security |
Environment is cleaner today than it has been in the past, should consider making federal lands public to spur jobs, no serious mention of climate change |
|
National Security |
Move away from Cold War structures, be more capable of addressing nonconventional threats |
Strong military is the pathway to peace, prosperity, and freedom. Cuts in defense are dangerous. |
|
Nuclear Issues |
Maintain deterrent capacity as long as nukes are around, ultimate goal is to get rid of them altogether |
Reduce nukes, do not abandon missile defense systems around the world |
|
Iran |
All options are on the table, prefer diplomacy |
Obama isn’t doing enough on the issue, support call from Senate for free and fair elections |
|
North Korea |
Continue pressure |
Obama isn’t doing enough |
|
Russia |
Emphasis on working together, be candid when we disagree |
Friends with the people, oppose government that is repressive |
|
Middle East |
2 state solution to Arab-Israeli issue (no peace without security), Jerusalem stays in Israel, work with the Gulf Cooperation Council to check Iran |
2 state solution with Jerusalem in Israel, Arab Spring ok as long as it is democratic |
|
The United Nations |
Centerpiece of international order, restore US leadership through cooperation and disagreeing when we must |
No subjection of US laws to international law, avoid foreign entanglements, call for UN transparency and reform |
|
Global Development |
Food, Education, Water, medicine are prerequisites to good governance, support PEPFAR |
Support PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) |
|
Shifting International Status Quo |
US won’t impose any form of government on states undergoing political upheaval, support greater liberty in states undergoing turmoil and political shift |
Advance rights of peoples everywhere |
|
Women’s Rights |
Urge ratification of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
Supports the Mexico City Policy (prohibits federal money from going to non-government organizations that support or provide abortions) |
|
International Cooperation |
Most threatening issues cannot be solved by one nation alone, broad and concerted international cooperation is required |
Avoid foreign entanglement, no subversion of US law to foreign law, no engagements that have unforeseen consequences, actively opposes many initiatives and treaties, including:
Republicans also oppose the International Criminal Court in order to protect members of the Armed Forces acting in our national defense as well as to prevent ideological prosecutions from overseas |
