History (in a nutshell)
The Democratic-Republican Party split in 1828 when the party was negotiating a successor to President James Monroe. The faction that supported many of the old Jeffersonian principles, led by Andrew Jackson and Marin Van Buren, became the modern Democratic Party. At that time, these Democrats had a negative view of a central government and believed it to be the enemy of individual liberty. They wanted to end federal support of banks and corporations and opposed government programs such a public education system.
In 1860, the Democrats split over slavery. As the Civil War broke out, Northern Democrats were divided into War Democrats and Peace Democrats. Most War Democrats rallied behind Republican President Abraham Lincoln. (The Confederate States of America deliberately avoided organized political parties.)
The Great Depression of 1929 set the stage for a more liberal government. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal federal government programs regulated business (especially finance and banking) and promoted labor unions as well as increased federal spending to aid the unemployed, distressed farmers and to launch large-scale public works projects. It marked the start of the "American welfare state" (which was in complete opposition to what the Democratic Party represented in 1828).
Until the 1980's, the Democratic Party was a coalition of two parties divided by the Mason-Dixon line: the liberal Democrats in the North and culturally conservative voters in the South, who though benefitting from the New Deal public works projects, opposed increasing civil rights initiatives advocated by the Northeastern liberals.
The Democratic Party, as it recognized today, developed when Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 were enacted. The core bases of the Democratic and Republican parties have shifted.
Southern states have become more reliably Republican.
Northeastern states have become more reliably Democratic.
The labor union element has become less of an influence after the 1970s (although working class has remained an important component of Democratic base).
Women, people living in urban areas, younger Americans and graduates as well as sexual, religious and racial minorities have tended to support the Democratic party.
Platform
Historically, the Democratic party has represented farmers, laborers, religious and ethnic minorities. It has opposed unregulated business and finance. The party has favored progressive income taxes. Environmentalism has been a major component of the Democratic party campaigns since the 1970's.
The 21st Century Democratic party, today, is predominantly a coalition of centrists, liberals and progressives, with significant overlap between the three groups. Into the 1980's, the party had a conservative element, mostly from the South and border regions but their numbers declined sharply as the Republican party built up its Southern base.
The following are the political positions, to varying degrees, held by Democratic party candidates:
Economic Issues
Expand Social Security and safety net programs (such as universal health care and subsidized housing). Support the goal of universal health care through a public health option or expanding Medicare/Medicaid.
Support a progressive tax system where taxes are cut for the working and middle classes as well as small businesses; and capital gains tax and dividend tax rates are increased. Change tax rules to stop encouraging moving jobs overseas.
Increase federal and state minimum wages. Mandate equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.
Modernize and expand access to public education and provide universal pre-school education.
Increase investments in infrastructure development as well as scientific and technological research.
Expand the use of renewable energy and diminish the use of fossil fuels.
Uphold labor protections and the right to unionize.
Reform the student loan system and allow for refinancing student loans. Make college more affordable.
Social Issues
Decriminalize or legalize marijuana.
Implement campaign finance reform and electoral reform.
Uphold voting rights and easy access to voting.
Support same-sex marriage and ban conversion therapy.
Allow legal access to abortions and women's reproductive health care.
Reform the immigration system and allow for a pathway to citizenship.
Support gun background checks and stricter gun control regulations.
Improve privacy laws and curtail government surveillance.
Oppose torture.
Recognize and defend Internet freedom worldwide. Uphold network neutrality.
Sources: Wikipedia, democrats.org
