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Liberal, Conservative, Republican, and Democratic - these are the names of national political parties in Canada and the United States.

Remember that a political party

• is a group of citizens who have similar ideas and who agree on major issues
• constructs policies to respond to the issues
• has representatives who seek election in the government and who strive to have their policies implemented

What are the differences among political parties? In Canada, we have many political parties because Canadians hold many various points of view and perspectives.

Remember that each political party has a philosophy that is reflected in its platform. A party's platform states its principles and its position on various major issues. A party's platform will change as issues evolve and as new issues arise.

Political parties vary in their belief of how much government control is desirable.

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Read the statements of the individuals below.

The four political parties have differing economic platforms.

• In general, the Democratic and Liberal parties believe in change. These parties support more government involvement in the economy.
  
  
• In general, the Republican and Conservative parties believe in tradition. Both of these parties support maintaining a low level of government involvement in the economy.