POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Target 4.4

4a Q: What distinguishes a Democrat from a Republican?

• A: Political ideology = Beliefs and/or convictions regarding political &

moral issues

4b There are two main political ideologies or labels…

• … “liberal” and “conservative”

As a rule, the Democrats are liberal and the Republicans are conservative.

4b Q: What determines a person’s Ideology? What’s the difference between liberals and conservatives?

• A: Beliefs on a wide range of issues, ranging from the environment to gay marriage

• Issues can usually be categorized as economic & social issues

4c Q: Top ideological Issues?A: The core issues…

sometimes called “hot button” issues: Abortion Gay Marriage Gun Control Immigration National debt & deficit spending

• Taxes• Taxing the Wealthy

War on Terrorism

• Culture Wars = Intense debate issues, often “moral” issues

4c Issues• Issue cont.

Affirmative Action Crime and punishment

• Death Penalty Health care (Obama Care) Medical Marijuana

4c Issues Religion in Schools

• Evolution v. Intelligent Design

The Environment• Global Warming

– Inconvenient Truth

• Sea Shepard• Wolf release program

4.4 In depth - Wolf Wars

• Wolf Wars Timeline: 1930’ = Hunted & poisoned to extinction 1974 = Put on the ESA list 1995-96 = release of wolves in Yellowstone & Idaho 2008 = 2,000 wolves in 200 packs 2008 (March) = U.S. Fish & Wildlife “delists” wolves 2008 (July) Federal judge temporarily relists wolves 2009 (May) Wolves delisted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife,

management turned over to Montana & Idaho (hunts planned)

2009 (August) coalition of 14 groups files lawsuit 2009 (Fall) Hunt goes forward in Idaho (220 tags) &

Montana (75 tags)… First Wolf taken! 2010 (August) Federal judge puts wolves back on ESA list 2010 (Oct.) U.S. Fish & Wildlife denies planned hunts 2011 (April), Congress “delists” wolves in Idaho & Montana 2012 (March) 9th Circuit Court rejects lawsuit to stop hunt

Gauging Political Ideology• 4d The Political Spectrum

The RightThe Left

liberals moderates conservatives

4.4 Activity - Gauging Political Ideology

• Complete this activity: Take 2 of the following surveys… World’s Smallest Political

Quiz• &

Go to Quiz - Or -

Pew Research – Political Typology

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

• Liberal

• Conservative

4e Political Labels• Libertarian

Ron Paul …. 1 - 2

4e Political Labels

• Other political labels: Libertarian

• Rugged Individualist Populist Feminist Environmentalist

Q: Where do conservative and liberals stand on the issues?

• Issues Grid

In Depth: The Culture Wars

Culture War = Division over deep moral issues, what’s right and wrong

The Culture War

The Culture Wars

California Prop 8

The Culture War

• Believers v. Non believers

Non BelieversCritics claim the film promotes atheism to kids.

Philip Pullman is an avowed atheist

Believers / C.S. LewisLewis was a devout Christian and includes in his series, The Chronicles of Narnia, many Christian Symbols.

Moral Values & the Culture Wars

• Liberals generally believe that morality is matter of personal choice…

There is a grey area on questions of right and wrong

• Conservatives see morality as universal, some things are just wrong, no matter who you are.

Simple man

4f Q: “Who” are liberals & Conservatives?What demographic factors influence ideological beliefs?

• A: Many factors shape, or otherwise correlate with an individuals ideological beliefs. The following are some important factors:

Gender Race Age Region

• Southern states v. North East• West coast v. Intermountain region• Urban v. Rural

Religion• Church goers v. secularists

Education Income Family (married?, Children?, etc.)

4f Who are liberals & Conservatives• 2012 Presidential Exit Polls (CNN)

Once at the web site, choose the exit poll tab• 2014 Mid term exit polls (CNN)

• Example: View of Federal Health Law (Obamacare) – 2014 exit polls

• Conservatives are much more likely to oppose Obamacare at 84%, whereas liberals are much more likely to favor at 74%

• In your answer, use the phrases “more likely” & “less likely” to record the trend

The “gender gap”

Race

Region

Region