Today's Economic Issues: Democrats and Republicans

by Nancy S. Lind, Erik T. Rankin, Gardenia Harris, Joseph R. Blaney (Foreword by)

Overview

What are the real differences between the Democrats and the Republicans on major economic issues that influence the character and vitality of the American economy? This volume answers this question in a thorough, nonpartisan, and evenhanded fashion.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties proclaim that they have the best interests of the nation and its people at heart. Both are also adamant that they have the best proposals and positions on economic policies, including taxation, spending priorities, wages, business regulation, and other influences on economic growth and household finances. This volume carefully examines the two parties' respective policies, providing a detailed yet readable and understandable look at how the parties agree, disagree, and find compromise on the broad range of problems and issues facing American society in the 21st century.

Each entry includes an infographic that offers bulleted "at-a-glance" summaries of the two parties' positions on each issue today, an "Issue Overview" providing basic definitions and background for understanding the debate on each issue, and a main entry that explains prevailing party sentiments, the diversity of opinion within each party, and the shifts in party position on that issue over time. Selected entries also feature informative sidebars that supply additional content, such as primary documents that showcase the viewpoints of key political figures and institutions or biographical profiles of individuals who have helped shape their party's policies on the issue in question.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440839368
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/15/2016
Series:	Across the Aisle
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Nancy S. Lind, PhD, is professor of political science at Illinois State University.

Erik T. Rankin, MPS, is assistant to the Department Chair of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.

Gardenia Harris, PhD, is associate professor in the School of Social Work at Illinois State University.

Table of Contents

Foreword Joseph R. Blaney vii

Introduction xiii

Bankruptcy 1

Corporate Taxation 11

Corruption 20

Debt Ceiling 23

Defense Spending 36

Deficits and Balanced Budgets 45

Earmarks 53

Energy Policy 61

Estate Tax 71

Financial Industry Regulation 81

Flat Tax 90

Food Stamps/SNAP 99

Free Trade 107

Green Energy Subsidies 115

Health Care 124

Immigration 135

Income Inequality 145

Income Tax 153

Inflation 162

Job Creation Programs 169

Medicaid/Medicare 179

Minimum Wage 189

No-Bid Contracts 198

Pensions 207

Progressivity of Taxation 215

Road Infrastructure Investment 225

Scientific and Medical Research 235

Small Business 246

Social Security 254

Stimulus Spending 265

Student Loans and Debt 275

TANF-Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 284

Tax Code Reform 296

Tax Cuts 304

Tax Shelters 313

Unemployment 323

Unions 333

Wail Street Bailout 341

Glossary 351

Bibliography 363

Index 369

About the Contributors 385

Editorial Reviews

When the new Congress and a new president take up their responsibilities, they as well as everyday citizens can turban to these to understand where the interparty fault lines lie on issues such as defense spending, free trade, income inequality, student loans and debt, tax-code reform, and others awaiting thoughtful resolution.” —Booklist

“Summing Up: Recommended. High school, community college, and undergraduate students; general readers.” —Choice

“The volume is accessible, and readers will be able to quickly navigate to their area of interest, while the nonpartisan essays provide a fair and complete assessment of each issue discussed. VERDICT Highly recommended as a reference for high school government courses.” —School Library Jourbanal, Starred Review

From the Publisher

★ 03/01/2017
Gr 9 Up—The second installment in a series that aims to help readers get a better sense of the political parties, this title focuses on economic issues. In a democracy, each party advocates for what it believes is best for the country and the people. However, the parties differ on the priorities and methods. The text broadly defines economic issues to include the traditional (taxes, social security) as well as areas that impact the economy but are not typically regarded as "economic" per se (such as research and green initiatives). Thirty-eight essays explore how Democrats and Republicans view the various economic topics. Each introduces the subject in a couple of paragraphs under "At a Glance," followed by a bulleted list of where most Democrats and Republicans stand. The more in-depth "Overview" frames the issue within the current context and provides some relevant historical background. The book considers the stances of contemporary Democrats and Republicans, differences between the two, and fault lines within both parties. The volume is accessible, and readers will be able to quickly navigate to their area of interest, while the nonpartisan essays provide a fair and complete assessment of each issue discussed. VERDICT Highly recommended as a reference for high school government courses.—Muhammed Hassanali, Shaker Heights, OH

School Library Journal