When did the parties switch platforms?

[Mr. Smith]

The one constant is that Republicans have always had more support from small business owners, from family farmers tired of competing with slave labor in 1856 straight through to 2016.  Big business has been somewhere between uniformly Republican (1856-76, 1920-1992) to tilting Republican overall with some sectors voting heavily Democratic (1880-1916, 1996ish-present).

I have a hard time believing any sector of Big Business voted for Bryan or Wilson

But no problems with Cleveland, Parker, or Tilden.

[Mr. Smith]

You guys are missing the point. The parties didn't change, the ideologies did.


Liberalism became less concerned about liberty and more about economic equality. Conservatism reacted to this in 1890's and 1900's and became more concerned about expansion of gov't in response. The same evolution occurred in Britain.

This...actually makes sense in a way I don't think most contemporary media or people really articulate.