Wha was a major difference in the political platforms of Herbert hoover and Alfred smith?

The 1928 presidential election featured Herbert Hoover as the Republican candidate and Alfred E. Smith as the Democratic candidate. One major difference in their political platforms was their approach to economic issues, particularly regarding the government's role in the economy.

Herbert Hoover:

1. Republican Ideals: Hoover, as a Republican, adhered to traditional Republican economic principles, emphasizing limited government intervention in the economy.
2. Laissez-Faire Economics: Hoover believed in a more hands-off approach to the economy, favoring a laissez-faire economic philosophy. He believed that the government should not heavily interfere in business affairs and that the private sector should drive economic growth.
3. Voluntarism: Hoover promoted the idea of voluntarism, encouraging businesses to adopt policies that would benefit workers without government mandates.

Alfred E. Smith:

1. Democratic Ideals: Smith, as a Democrat, represented a departure from traditional Democratic economic positions at the time.
2. Increased Government Intervention: Smith believed in a more active role for the government in addressing economic issues. This included support for labor rights, workers' protections, and government involvement in regulating certain aspects of the economy.
3. New Deal Precursor: While Smith did not use the term "New Deal" (a term associated with Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency), his platform foreshadowed some elements of the later New Deal policies that aimed to address economic challenges through government intervention.

In summary, the major difference in the political platforms of Herbert Hoover and Alfred E. Smith was their stance on the level of government intervention in the economy. Hoover leaned toward a more conservative, laissez-faire approach, while Smith advocated for increased government involvement and protections, aligning with some later Democratic policies associated with the New Deal era.