School politics class: Republican tax cut plan would gut US clean energy

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Specification:

• Edexcel Component 3, Section 5.2: The key ideas and principles of the Democratic and Republican Parties

• AQA Component 3.2, Section 3.2.1.6: Political parties: the ideological changes in both the Democratic and Republican parties making them more distinct and polarised

Background: what you need to know

Discussion of President Trump’s economic policies has understandably focused on tariffs. Passing a tax-cutting bill is another important priority for him, and one which presents political challenges as the Republicans have narrow majorities in both Houses of Congress. This article focuses on Trump’s plans to phase out renewable energy subsidies and tax breaks for electric vehicles — proposals which set up a direct conflict with the Democrats.

On the other hand, to fund tax cuts for lower and middle-income earners, Trump has also proposed to raise income tax for the wealthy — a position normally associated with his opponents: Donald Trump proposes to raise income taxes on wealthy Americans. These policy positions make it much harder to locate Trump in relation to Republican Party ideology.

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

Republican tax cut plan would gut US clean energy

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 2

• Explain and analyse three differences between the policies of the two main US political parties. [9 marks]

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 3

• Evaluate the view that the policies of the two main US political parties have become increasingly opposed. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks]

  TIP: The article focuses on Republican and Democrat economic policies. You should also be able to compare the two parties’ positions on welfare policy, social and moral issues.

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School