Dems

Dems is an informal shorthand for the Democratic Party in the United States. It is one of the two major political parties in the country, along with the Republican Party. As a broad political movement, it encompasses a range of positions from liberal to moderate, but it generally supports expanded social programs, civil rights, environmental protection, labor rights, and access to education and healthcare.

Historically, the Democratic Party traces to the early 19th century, evolving from the Democratic-Republican Party led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Under Andrew Jackson, the modern party began to coalesce. In the 1930s, the New Deal coalition brought together urban workers, ethnic minorities, and progressives, shaping policy for decades. Civil rights movements and political realignments in the 1960s shifted some constituencies toward the party and altered its internal balance. Since the late 20th century, it has included both progressive and centrist wings.

Platform and policy areas vary over time and by administration, but the party commonly emphasizes civil rights and voting rights, expanding access to healthcare, supporting public education, environmental protection and climate action, expanding social safety nets, labor rights, and immigration reform. The party typically favors diplomacy, multilateralism, and greater federal government action in economic and social policy.

Organization and symbols: Nationally, the Democratic Party is organized through the Democratic National Committee and operates through state and local parties. The donkey is the party’s traditional symbol, and blue is its common color on U.S. political maps and in media. The term Dems is commonly used to refer to Democrats; Republicans are commonly known as the GOP.

Electoral process: Candidates are selected through primary elections and caucuses to compete for the party’s nomination in national elections, with national conventions choosing the party’s presidential nominee. The party also engages in policy advocacy and campaigns across state and local levels.