Unit 2: Political IdeologyUnit 2: Political Ideology

Political IdeologyPolitical Ideology

One’s basic beliefs about power, political One’s basic beliefs about power, political values, and the role of governmentvalues, and the role of governmentComes from your economical, Comes from your economical, educational, and social experiences (race, educational, and social experiences (race, location, etc.)location, etc.)

Liberals (The Left)Liberals (The Left)

Believes government main role is to help Believes government main role is to help welfare and civil rights of all peoplewelfare and civil rights of all people

Raise taxes to provide increase in servicesRaise taxes to provide increase in services

Conservatives (The Right)Conservatives (The Right) Believes in limiting gov’t role in helping Believes in limiting gov’t role in helping

individuals economicallyindividuals economically Gov’t main job is protecting countryGov’t main job is protecting country Supports traditional values and lifestylesSupports traditional values and lifestyles

Moderates (Middle)Moderates (Middle)Usually have some beliefs on liberal side and some conservative (most Americans are here)

Ex. – economically liberal, socially conservative

Representative PartyRepresentative Party

LiberalLiberal

Democratic PartyDemocratic Party

ConservativeConservative

Republican PartyRepublican Party

Abortion & Birth Control Abortion & Birth Control Liberals

Pro – Choice (For)

Sex ed for teens in school

Free access to birth control

Conservative

Pro – Life (Against)

Abstinence only in school

Restrict access to birth control

Same Sex MarriageSame Sex MarriageLiberals

Believe it should be legal

Not a moral issue, but an equality issue and it is protected by the Constitution

Conservatives

Believe it should not be legal

Support a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage

Is a moral issue tied to religion

Death PenaltyDeath PenaltyLiberalsLiberals

Against it (Anti)Against it (Anti)

Would like to see it Would like to see it banned by the banned by the national governmentnational government

Conservatives

For it (Pro)

“Eye for an eye”

Taxes and Social SpendingTaxes and Social SpendingLiberalsLiberals

IncreaseIncreaseUsed to support Used to support social programs in social programs in the states likethe states like Shelters & Section Shelters & Section

8 Housing8 Housing Financial aidFinancial aid Food programsFood programs

ConservativesDecreaseSocial programs in the states should be supported through donations“Trickle Down Economics”

Minimum WageMinimum WageLiberals

For it – would like to see it increased

Believe national government should set it to protect workers

Conservatives

Against it – would like to see it end

Believe it is too much regulation on business

ImmigrationImmigrationLiberals

Law-abiding illegal immigrants should be able to stay

Especially “dreamers”

Conservatives

Strengthen border security

Deport all illegal immigrants

Attitude Towards CriminalsLiberals

Want rights of accused protected first and foremost

Interested in finding out “why” person committed crime

Conservatives

Want rights of victims protected first and foremost

Not concerned with “why” person committed crime

Defense SpendingDefense SpendingLiberals

Decrease

Use more for social spending

Conservative

Increase or maintain

Generalizations on IdeologyGeneralizations on Ideology

Racial: Blacks more liberal than Hispanics; whites most conservative

Age: Younger Americans more liberal

Gender: Women more liberal

Religion: Catholics and Jews more liberal; More religious = more conservative

Education: More educated= more liberal

Wealth: Richer= more conservative

Ideology by stateIdeology by state

Political Ideology: DemographicsPolitical Ideology: Demographics

Communism/Socialism (Far Left)Communism/Socialism (Far Left)

Violent overthrow of the gov’tServices for all – healthcare, educationGov’t controls important industries (oil, steel, etc) Raise taxes for these services

Libertarians (Far Right)Libertarians (Far Right)Believes in reducing federal and state gov’t to an absolute minimum (end gov’t services)All about individual freedom – gov’t shoudn’t tell you what to do (legalize drugs, abortion, prostitution, seat belt laws, smoking in public places)

U.S. has a Two party systemU.S. has a Two party system

Two Party SystemTwo Party System – Tradition in the U.S. – Tradition in the U.S. – – Single Member Districts (winner take Single Member Districts (winner take all); 7all); 7thth ; 15 ; 15thth ; 16 ; 16thth

Minor partiesMinor parties

Types:Types: Single Issue – only one thing mattersSingle Issue – only one thing matters Economic Protest – overthrow the systemEconomic Protest – overthrow the system Ideological – Left, right or moderateIdeological – Left, right or moderate

Political SocializationPolitical Socialization

Things that influence one’s political ideology Things that influence one’s political ideology (i.e. – why are you liberal/conservative)(i.e. – why are you liberal/conservative)

InfluenceInfluence Family, friends, school, media, religionFamily, friends, school, media, religion

Foreign RelationsForeign RelationsLiberals

Negotiate first

Then, work with allies

Conservative

Negotiate first

Then, take action even without support (pre-emptive if necessary)