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Political Ideology

A Field of

Applied Philosopy

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What is Political Ideology?Political Ideology refers to a

set of values, beliefs, opinions, assumptions, and attitudes

about how society should be organized and operated.

It tends to focus on the responsibilities and powers

that the government should or should not have,

and on the freedoms that individuals, groups, or companies

should or should not have.

Political IdeologiesA Sample

Anarchism

Communism

Conservatism

Fascism

Liberalism

Libertarianism

Socialism

Totalitarianism

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More Narrow or Focused IdeologiesFeminism Environmentalism Zionism

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Names for Political Ideologies

While many kinds of labels are used for different ideologies, most commonly we name the alternative ideologies as

“Liberal” or “Conservative”

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Not Accurate

Either

LiberalOr

Conservative

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Ideology Continuum

Very Liberal Liberal Centrist Conservative Very Conservative

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Ideological Positions on Contemporary Issues ?

There are a gazillion issues ….

Should the government set a minimum wage that workers must be paid?

Should the Government help senior citizens pay for prescription drugs?

Should oil companies be allowed to drill for oil in the Alaskan National

Wildlife Refuge?

Should the US create a guest worker program for immigrant workers?

Should public schools be allowed to hold moments of silent prayer?

Should consumers pay a recyclingtax when purchasing electronic equipment with

a monitor screen?

Far Left----Liberal----Centrist----Conservative----Far Right

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Types of Issues that Tend to Divide Conservatives and Liberals

A. Taxes

B. Government regulation of economic activity

C. Government assistance to people in need

D. Selected social issues

E. Foreign affairs

A. Taxes The Principle

Liberals

Tend to be willing to increase taxes to support programs and services they think are important.

Conservatives

Tend to be against raising taxes and for eliminating existing taxes.

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B. Government Regulations The Principle

Liberals

Tend to be more supportive of government regulations in order to achieve conditions that they think are desirable.

Conservatives

Tend to oppose government regulations, to support freedom for businesses, and to accept the conditions that result from free business choices.

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C. Services to Needy The Principle

Liberals

Tend to be more supportive of government programs and services for those in need of assistance.

Conservatives

Tend to be more supportive of individual responsibility, and to oppose government programs for those in need of assistance.

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D. Selected Social Issues The Principle

It is difficult to identify “principles” that distinguish liberals and conservatives on the divisive social issues.

We simply need to learn where different ideology groups stand on the various issues.

Liberals Conservatives

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E. Foreign Affairs The Principle

LiberalsTend to believe that:

• The US is only one of many nations

• The US should act with respect and collaboration toward other nations

• The US should not use money or military to force our will on other nations

• The US should respect and work within the UN

ConservativesTend to believe that:

• The US is the most important nation

• The US should exert pressure on and compete with other nations

• The US should do what it can to best serve its own interests

• The US should not feel constrained in any way by a feeble UN

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A. Taxes1. Should the wealthy be given a tax reduction?

2. Should the car registration fee be lowered in this time of economic crisis?

3. Should the sales tax be increased from 8.75% to 9.00% to put more cops on the streets in Salinas?

4. Should taxes be raised in order to insure that all eligible students can attend a CSU campus?

5. Should the number of low-income children provided health care be reduced in order to lower taxes?

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B. Government Regulation of BusinessExamples

1. Requiring time-and-a-half for overtime work

2. Setting a minimum wage

3. Establishing workplace health and safety standards

4. Requiring environmental impact reporting

5. Enforcing truth-in-advertising standards

6. Preventing monopolies and unfair competition practices

7. Monitoring business accounting procedures

8. Requiring equal opportunities for disabled workers

9. Demanding some contracts be awarded to female and minority companies

10. Requiring agribusiness to negotiate contracts with farmworkers

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C. Government Assistance to Those in NeedExamples

1. Prescription drugs for the elderly 2. Grants and loans for college students3. Subsidized education for CSU students4. Daycare services5. Health insurance6. Education programs for underachieving students7. Job training programs8. Unemployment benefits9. Leaves from work for childbirth, family illness, work injury10. Foreign aid to countries experiencing starvation, health

crises, natural disasters

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D. Divisive Social IssuesExamples

1. Abortion

2. Gun control

3. English only vs. Language diversity

4. Capital punishment

5. Immigration

6. Prayer and religious symbols in government activities

7. Gay & lesbian marriage

8. Multiculturalism

9. The Patriot Act

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E. Foreign AffairsExamples

1. Use of war2. How U.S. should work with other countries3. The role of the United Nations4. Immigration policies and practices5. Foreign aid6. NAFTA and other “free trade” agreements7. Globalism and multinational corporations8. World Trade Organization and the World Bank9. Embargo against Cuba10. Cultural exchange programs

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Ideology and Political Parties

Far Left Liberal Moderate Conservative Far Right

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Ideology and Political Parties

Democrat

Far Left Liberal Moderate Conservative Far Right

Republican

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Ideology and Political Parties

Libertarian

P & F

Green

Democratic

Far Left Liberal Moderate Conservative Far Right

Republican

Am. Independent

Libertarian

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Ideology Distributionof the US Population

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So, how would you describe your

personal political ideology ?

Where do you stand

on the

Liberal-Conservative continuum?

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