The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United

States, along with the younger Republican Party. Tracing its origins back to
the Democratic-Republican Party, the modern Democratic Party was founded around
1828.[7] There have been 15 Democratic presidents, the first being Andrew Jackson, who
served from 1829 to 1837; the most recent is the current president, Barack Obama, who
has served since 2009.
Since the 1930s, the party has promoted a social-liberal platform, supporting a mixed
economy and social justice.[3][8] The party's philosophy of contemporary American
liberalism advocates civil and political rights and liberties along with social justice.[9] It
pursues a mixed economy by providing government intervention and regulation in the
economy.[10] These interventions, such as universal health care, labor protection, social
programs, equal opportunity, consumer protection, and environmental protection, form the
party's economic policy basis.[11][12]
Until the late 20th century the party had a powerful conservative and populist wing based in
the rural South. After decades of often strained ties with the party's more liberal factions
this wing of the party began a gradual migration away from the Democratic Party and
primarily towards the Republican Party, such that today its influence is greatly diminished.
Today, the Congressional Democratic caucus is composed mostly
of progressives and centrists.[13]
In the 114th Congress, following the 2014 elections, the Democratic Party will hold a
minority of seats in the House of Representatives as well as in the United States Senate.
The party also holds a minority of state governorships and control of a minority of state
legislatures.