With the democratic convention this week and the republican oneapproaching, University of Memphis students have an opportunity tobetter understand the basic differences between the two politicalparties.
"Generally, the group that votes the least in America is 18- to25-year-olds," said David Madlock, U of M political scienceinstructor. "One reason for this is that people running for officedo not give young voters a reason to vote."
Although opinions on the reasons for low voter turnout amongcollege-age Americans vary, it could be because this group isuninformed.
Republicans are sometimes referred to as conservatives, whiledemocrats are sometimes called liberals. The views of the twoparties vary on many topics such as domestic policy, taxes, foreignpolicy and marriage.
"Domestic policy includes abortion, and democrats are(generally) pro-choice. And although it is not unanimous, mostrepublicans are anti-abortion," said Bill Marty, professor ofpolitical science. "Abortion is a fundamental issue and a drivingforce on both sides."
On the economy, democrats are reluctant to tax cuts, whilerepublicans believe lower taxes will make the economy boom, saidMarty.
And while democrats believe in government intervention andregulated business, modern-day republicans want less government andunregulated business.
"Republicans believe in expansion of the economy to get morepeople involved in the American dream. But, democrats believebusiness must be regulated to take care of workers, not justprofits," said Madlock.
As for war and military action, the two parties have differentviews on why to go to war, but both parties still generally see waras a necessary evil, those interviewed said.
"Democrats are reluctant to act on war without UN or NATOapproval, and republicans will seek UN and NATO approval, but willgo without it," said Marty. "Democrats will say republicans weremisguided in going to war because the cause was never fullyexplained."
A topic that has been in the press over the past months is thedefinition of and laws defining marriage.
With more conservative views, republicans are generallyunenthusiastic about homosexual marriage, but democrats see thetopic as a civil rights issue and are more willing to accept it onthe whole, said Marty.
Some students are aware of the differences between the partiesbut still say most college students do not vote.
"I think republicans have more morals and values, and democratsare more concerned with social issues," said JoAnn Jones, educationgraduate student. "I do not think college students vote, but theyshould."
This election year, some U of M students will vote for the firsttime, and some say it will be a hard decision.
"It is really tough for first-time voters because everyone seemsto say the same thing," said Madlock.
First-time voters can contact their local county electioncommission to find out where to register to vote.
