CLEP US History II

Answer: E - The modern-day Democratic Party is most closely associated with liberalism, a political philosophy that champions the protection of one’s civil liberties and expanded government oversight and programs. The Democrats have been associated with the liberal school of political thought since the 1930s, beginning with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s socially progressive New Deal agenda. They generally advocate social change and promote the interests of “minority groups,” like women, non-white racial groups, and the LGBT community. Liberals favor extensive federal oversight of business and banking, favor low taxes for low-income citizens and high taxes for wealthy citizens, and they also champion federal social programs to improve aspects of the citizenry’s quality of life. They are steadfastly opposed to a religious influence in legislation, because they view such activity to be an infringement on the First Amendment rights of the people and the doctrine of Separation of Church and State. It is not uncommon for American adherents of progressivism and egalitarianism to align with liberals.