Abbreviation ASP Political position Center | Chairman Matthew Bartko Colors Maroon | |
 | ||
Founded 2011; 6 years ago (2011) Ideology Christian democracy
Communitarianism
Social conservatism
Economic distributism
Political Catholicism | ||
The American Solidarity Party (ASP) is a Christian democratic political party in the United States. Its English-language motto is "Common Good, Common Ground, Common Sense."
Contents
- Early history
- 2016 presidential election
- Ideology and influences
- Composition
- Names and symbols
- References
The political position of the American Solidarity Party is socially conservative and economically distributist. Therefore, the ASP holds to socially conservative views such as adhering to a pro-life position with regard to abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia, as well as opposition to same-sex marriage and opposition to pornography. With regard to economics, labor issues and foreign policy, the American Solidarity Party sees the "moderate welfare state as the public expression of every citizen’s responsibility for his poor brother or sister." As such, the American Solidarity Party notably opposes conscription, and favors "equal access to the polls, the courts, housing, education, and credit". In addition, it supports "amnesty and a path to citizenship" for immigrants currently residing in the United States and "oppose[s] the militarization and fortification of our national borders". With regard to healthcare, the ASP advocates the creation of a decentralized ‘single-payer’ system. It supports the dignity of work, as well as stewardship for creation, advocating for "generous funding for research in safe and renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind-power."
Early history
The ASP was founded by David Frost in 2011 as the "Christian Democratic Party USA". In 2012, the CDPUSA endorsed the independent candidacy of Joe Schriner for President.
The name of the party was changed after the 2012 election to “the American Solidarity Party”, and a national committee was created for the purpose of drafting a platform and developing the party’s online presence. Kirk Morrison chaired the committee until late 2015. Stephen Beall, who drafted the original platform, became chair in 2016 and organized the party’s first online convention in July. He was succeeded by Matthew Bartko, who has presided over the creation of numerous state and local chapters.
2016 presidential election
During the 2016 presidential election season, the American Solidarity Party held an online convention on July 9, 2016, which nominated Amir Azarvan of Georgia for president and Mike Maturen of Michigan for vice-president. However, Azarvan subsequently withdrew, and in response the ticket was revised, with Maturen running for president and Juan Muñoz of Texas running for vice-president.
For the 2016 election, the American Solidarity Party was listed on the ballot in Colorado. It was a certified write-in option in Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
Ideology and influences
The American Solidarity Party is regarded as a minor third party in the United States.
The American Solidarity Party has been characterized as conservative on social issues while supporting some government intervention in economic matters. Its aim is to "seek to promote the common good and the material and spiritual welfare of all people, thereby raising consciousness of the Christian worldview." The ASP's 2016 presidential nominee, Mike Maturen, has characterized the party as "centrist", as has The Irish Times.
The American Solidarity Party adheres to the ideology of Christian democracy, which is historically influenced by Catholic Social Teaching and Neo-Calvinist theology. As such, the ASP looks to the Christian Democratic movements in Europe and the Americas, and to American religious populists such as Martin Luther King. As the name indicates, the American Solidarity Party draws its inspiration from Solidarity (Polish Trade Union), founded by Lech Wałęsa in 1980. In addition, the ASP shares the socially conservative positions of the Netherlands' Anti-Revolutionary Party, founded by Dutch prime minister and Calvinist theologian Abraham Kuyper in 1879.
The core principle of the American Solidarity Party is the Consistent Life Ethic, understood as “respect for life and the dignity of all persons on all issues.” Like other social conservatives, the ASP opposes abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research, but it differs from many of them by rejecting capital punishment and holding to Just War principles in foreign policy. It regards economic justice as an essential aspect of respect for human life.
The American Solidarity Party also calls for fair labor practices and the strengthening of labor organizations, a wider distribution of wealth and productive property, the provision of decent health care to all members of society, responsible stewardship of the environment, and policies that strengthen the family and civil society.
David McPherson of First Things says that the American Solidarity Party "affirm[s] ... the full spectrum of Catholic social teaching (namely, the teachings regarding the sanctity of human life, the common good, subsidiarity, religious freedom, solidarity, etc.)", contrasting the ASP to the Republican and Democratic parties, each of which recognize only some of these items. Its strongest support is said to be in California and Texas.
Composition
American Solidarity Party received its first surge in membership during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. The party's current base consists of younger (20s–30s) Christian voters (primarily Roman Catholic, but also Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox). It has members in 45 states, with its strongest support in California and Texas.
Names and symbols
The party was founded in 2011 as the Christian Democratic Party USA. Shortly after the 2012 election, the CDP USA renamed itself the American Solidarity Party.
The ASP mascot is the pelican, a traditional Christian symbol of charity. The party’s color is maroon.